Even before the Switch came out on March 3rd, those with early access were having issues with the Joy-Cons. After lots of complaints and concerns, Nintendo has given an official response to solve the Joy-Con connectivity problems.
The Joy-Cons are really cool pieces of tech. They can slide onto either side of the tablet to take on the go, or they can connect to a handled controller for couch play. They utilize the snazzy HD rumble, which can allow you to feel soup sloshing around in a pot or ice cubes clinking in a glass.
What isn’t cool about them is how they can have a mind of their own. Users have been reporting the Joy-Cons desyncing from the Switch, thus not working. Most players had this issue with the left Joy-Con in particular.
I say “had,” because the desyncing seems to be fixed now.
In a Switch Support Article, Nintendo discussed the Joy-Con desyncing issue and how they recommend it can be fixed. Having the latest system update is one of those recommendations, but whether or not they actually included a patch for the Joy-Con issue in the actual update is unclear.
Nintendo listed the following reported Joy-Con issues:
- When using the Joy-Con controllers wirelessly, the characters seem to move on their own or do not respond correctly.
- When used wirelessly, the Joy-Con controllers respond intermittently.
- The Joy-Con controller appears to lose connection with the console.
If you’ve been having any of these problems, Nintendo basically recommends keeping the Joy-Cons close to the Switch and away from other wireless devices–and your fish tank.
Other than keeping the system updated and the controllers charged, here’s a list of everything Nintendo said can help resolve your Joy-Con desyncing:
- Try to decrease the distance between the Joy-Con and the Nintendo Switch console.
- Ensure that the Nintendo Switch console is placed to minimize interference with the Joy-Con. It is best if the Nintendo Switch console is placed out in the open and that it is not:
- Behind a TV
- Near an aquarium
- Placed in or under a metal object
- Pressed against a large amount of wires and cords
- Within three to four feet of another wireless device, such as a wireless speaker or a wireless access point.
- Check for possible sources of interference and turn them off. Interference can be caused by devices, such as:
- Laptops, tablets, etc.
- Wireless headsets
- Wireless printers
- Microwaves
- Wireless speakers
- Cordless phones
- USB 3.0-compatible devices such as hard drives, thumb drives, LAN adapters, etc.
In most cases it will be enough to move these devices three to four feet away from the Nintendo Switch console and/or Joy-Con controllers. However, if you continue to experience this issue, please power these devices off while using the Nintendo Switch console.
