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Joy-Con Motion Controls Are Not Responding Correctly or Cannot Be Calibrated

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

The information in this article can help you when:

  • The motion controls on the Joy-Con such as tilt or shake are not responding correctly.
  • You are unable to calibrate the motion controls on the Joy-Con.

What to do

  • Nintendo Switch 2
    1. Ensure your console has the latest system update installed.
      • How to perform a system update on Nintendo Switch 2
        1. Select the System Settings on the HOME Menu.
          System Settings highlighted on the HOME Menu Screen
          Configuración de la consola resaltado en la pantalla del menú HOME
          Paramètres de la console en surbrillance dans le menu HOME
          Configuração do console em destaque na tela do menu HOME
        2. Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select System.
        3. Select System Update, to start the system update process.
          System Update is highlighted within the System menu in System Settings
          Actualización del sistema resaltada en la página de Consola en la Configuración de la consola en Nintendo Switch 2
          « Mise à jour de la console » en surbrillance dans la page Console des Paramètres de la console sur Nintendo Switch 2
          Atualização em destaque na opção Configuração do console no Nintendo Switch 2
          • During the process, the system will first perform a check to determine if a new system update is available.
          • If an update is available, the download process will begin automatically.
    2. Update the controller firmware.
    3. Reset the Joy-Con by pressing the SYNC Button once. Then press any other button to power on the Joy-Con again.
    4. Ensure that nothing is covering the IR motion camera on the right Joy-Con.
      • If a protective cover is being used with the Joy-Con, remove it temporarily.
      • Some games such as the Eating Contest within 1-2 Switch specifically require the IR motion camera to play.
    5. Calibrate the motion controls on the Joy-Con.
    6. Verify that the software or application you are using supports motion controls.
  • Nintendo Switch
    1. Ensure your console has the latest system update installed.
    2. Update the controller firmware.
    3. With the Joy-Con detached, reset the controller by pressing the SYNC Button once. Then press any other button to power on the Joy-Con again.
    4. Ensure that nothing is covering the IR motion camera on the right Joy-Con.
      • If a protective cover is being used with the Joy-Con, remove it temporarily.
      • Some games such as the Eating Contest within 1-2 Switch specifically require the IR motion camera to play.
    5. Calibrate the motion controls on the Joy-Con.
    6. Verify that the software or application you are using supports motion controls.

Situation not resolved

If the motion controls are not responding with any supported software, or if the motion controls calibration fails, then the non-working Joy-Con controller(s) will need to be serviced.

  • If only one Joy-Con needs to come in for service, specify if it is the left or right controller.

To set up a service for Joy-Con only, please visit the Nintendo website to set up the service request.

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