Do Nintendo controllers drift?

Drifting is a problem that is undeniably common in the Switch's Joy-Con, but it can also affect Pro Controllers as well. That's not to say Nintendo's products are cheap or shoddy universally; drift is an issue that can affect any controller on the market – even the mighty Xbox One Elite Controller isn't safe.

Do Nintendo Switch controllers still drift?

It's been a problem ever since the Switch came out and still hasn't been fully fixed in the new OLED model (although Nintendo says it's made some “improvements”). While you can send your Joy-Cons away for a free repair at Nintendo (or just buy a new set), the sticks will inevitably start drifting again.

How do I stop my Nintendo controller from drifting?

Update your controllers

Sometimes controller drift can be due to a minor software issue. Thankfully, this can be addressed through a simple update. On your Switch, go to the Home menu. Then select System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers.

Why do Nintendo controllers drift so much?

The Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con drift issue is caused by a fundamental design flaw according to a UK consumer group. As reported by Eurogamer, a report from Which claims that, even after just a few months of use, the Joy-Con's plastic circuit boards show significant wear on the joystick slider contact points.

How often do Switch controllers drift?

Six in 10 (57 percent) participants said they started experiencing drift issues within the first year of owning a Switch, and approximately a quarter of those (26 percent) contacted Nintendo for a replacement or fix.

Nintendo Switch: How to Fix Joy-Con Drift

Does Nintendo fix drift for free?

Send your Joy-Cons to Nintendo

Like we mentioned, Nintendo will repair any drifting Joy-Cons for free.

Is it easy to fix controller drift?

You can possibly solve your stick drift by resetting your controller. Go through a couple of steps, so your controller gets a hard reset. This means that the controller is put back to factory settings. These steps are both for the DualShock and DualSense controller.

How common is Nintendo Switch drift?

According to UK consumer group Which?, 40 percent of Nintendo Switch users report that they have experienced issues with Joy-Con drift.

Do pro controllers drift less?

Joy-Con drift is the most common form of drift for Nintendo. But although drift may be less common in Pro Controllers, they are not immune to it by any means.

Why is my Nintendo Switch controller moving on its own?

Maybe your character is moving on its own without you even touching the controller! If so, you are experiencing something video game enthusiasts refer to as "joystick drift," which is usually a result of dirt and debris that gets trapped within the joystick.

How to fix Nintendo Switch controller drift without taking it apart?

Navigate to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Calibrate Control Sticks. Follow the on-screen prompts on your Switch.

Does Nintendo repair Joy-Cons for free?

Although Nintendo has offered free repairs for out-of-warranty Joy-Cons in North America, Latin America, and France, it never extended the policy to the UK, Switzerland, and all of the EEA until now.

Does Gamestop fix Nintendo Switch controller drift?

A: Yes , drifting is a highly common isssue with all Nintendo switch joy-con but nintendo has a policy in place to repair if your request through their customer service for a fix free of charge.

Are there controllers without drift?

The components inside Nyxi's Wizard controller joysticks don't physically touch, meaning there's no chance of drift.

Which Switch controllers don t drift?

If you're looking for a Switch controller that's also a great Bluetooth controller for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android, GuliKit's KingKong 2 Pro is a worthwhile purchase. It has Hall effect sticks that ensure that its analog sticks won't suffer from drift, Amiibo support, and it feels like an Xbox controller in the hand.

How much drift is too much?

At the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), we have defined a displacement with an absolute value greater than or equal to 0.6 logits as excessive and found this threshold to be useful.

How long do Joy-Cons last?

The Joy-Con controllers take approximately three and a half hours to fully charge. When fully charged, the battery for the Joy-Con controllers can last approximately 20 hours. This may be shorter depending on the software application and functions being used.

Does stick drift get worse over time?

Yes, wear and tear are expected to occur with time, even on the sturdiest controllers, but the longevity of the joystick can heavily depend on the games being played.

How do I test my Nintendo controller for drift?

How long do controllers last before stick drift?

A PS4 controller has a life of about 4 – 5 years before the analog and buttons start to break or drift. This can be due to mishandling or dust buildup.

Does Nintendo warranty cover Joy-Con drift?

Nintendo will fix Joy-Con drift for you

If calibrating and cleaning don't help, get Nintendo to fix it. The company has a Joy-Con repair program for hardware within its one-year warranty.

Does Geek Squad fix Joy-Cons?

We generally aren't able to do repairs on joycons that are not covered by protection. We'd still recommend connecting with your local Best Buy store to get that definitive answer. You can find information about your local store at www.bestbuy.com/storelocator.

How do I return Joy-Cons with drift?

If a customer requests a refund for a previously paid Joy-Con repair [...] confirm the prior repair and then issue a refund." So, if you do have problems with Joy-Con drift (or other issues) contact support.nintendo.com.

Do I send both Joy-Cons for repair?

You can send in multiple Joy-con with one shipment. Again, the only downside is that Joy-con that can't be repaired may result in a replacement of a different color.

How much is replacement Joy-Con?

Nintendo is dropping the price of buying a single Joy-Con controller down to $39.99. That's $10 less than the $49.99 the company originally charged for single controller replacements.