Joy-Con Repeatedly Connects/Disconnects From the Console

What to do

Follow the steps for the system you're using.

• Nintendo Switch – OLED Model
  1. Attach the Joy-Con controllers to the console.
     • How to attach the Joy-Con controllers
       1. Face the screen of your conosole towards you.
       2. Slide the left Joy-Con (the controller with the "-" symbol) onto the left side of the console using the rail on the side until you hear a click.
       3. Slide the right Joy-Con (the controller with the "+" symbol) onto the ride side of the console using the rail on the side until you hear a click.

       

       For more information on attaching and detaching Joy-Con controllers, see How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con Controllers from Nintendo Switch.

     • Joy-Con does not register while attached

       See Joy-Con Not Recognized or Not Registering While Attached to the Console.

  2. Check that your console has the latest system update. If so, restart it.
     • How to check for the latest system update
       1. Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
       2. Scroll down to the bottom of the System Settings menu and select System.
       3. Select System Update to start the system update process.
          • The system will check to see if an update is available.

       For more information, see How to Perform a System Update on Nintendo Switch 2 or How to Perform a System Update on Nintendo Switch.

     • How to restart a Nintendo Switch console
       1. Press and hold the POWER Button for at least three seconds.
       2. Select Power OptionsOpciones de apagadoOptions d'alimentationOpções de desligar.
       3. Select Restart.
  3. Check if the Joy-Con controllers have the most recent firmware update.
     • How to update controller firmware
       1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
       2. Navigate to Controllers and Sensors.
       3. Select Update Controllers to begin updating the controller's firmware.

       For more information, see How to Update the Controller Firmware.

  4. Detach the Joy-Con, then start a game or navigate through the menus to see if the Joy-Con stays connected. If they still disconnect, continue with the next steps.
     • How to detach the Joy-Con controllers
       1. Press the release button at the back of the Joy-Con while sliding the Joy-Con from bottom to top.

       Important: After detaching the Joy-Con controllers from the console, be sure to attach the Joy-Con straps before starting a game or software.

       

       For more information on attaching and detaching Joy-Con controllers, see How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con Controllers from Nintendo Switch.

  5. Press the SYNC Button on the Joy-Con once to reset it, then press any button, such as the A Button, to power it on again.
  6. Test the Joy-Con while the console is in Airplane Mode.
     • How to test the Joy-Con in Airplane Mode
       1. Activate Airplane Mode from the System Settings menu.
       2. Turn Bluetooth back on from the "Airplane Mode" menu.
       3. Press a button on each Joy-Con controller to reconnect them.
       4. After the Joy-Con are connected to the console wirelessly, deactivate airplane mode and continue to use the console as normal.
  7. Check for wireless interference. Make sure the console is not placed behind a TV, under a metal object, or within four feet of other wireless devices (wireless speakers, cordless phones, etc.).
  8. Test the console with another Joy-Con controller (either left or right) if possible.

  • Issues persists with only one Joy-Con

    The Joy-Con will need to be serviced.

  • Issues persists with multiple Joy-Con

    The controllers and console will need to be sent in for service.

    For your convenience, Nintendo provides a quick and easy-to-use online service request process.

• Nintendo Switch
  1. Attach the Joy-Con controllers to the console.
     • How to attach the Joy-Con controllers
       1. Face the screen of your conosole towards you.
       2. Slide the left Joy-Con (the controller with the "-" symbol) onto the left side of the console using the rail on the side until you hear a click.
       3. Slide the right Joy-Con (the controller with the "+" symbol) onto the ride side of the console using the rail on the side until you hear a click.

       

       For more information on attaching and detaching Joy-Con controllers, see How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con Controllers from Nintendo Switch.

     • Joy-Con does not register while attached

       See Joy-Con Not Recognized or Not Registering While Attached to the Console.

  2. Check that your console has the latest system update. If so, restart it.
     • How to check for the latest system update
       1. Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
       2. Scroll down to the bottom of the System Settings menu and select System.
       3. Select System Update to start the system update process.
          • The system will check to see if an update is available.

       For more information, see How to Perform a System Update on Nintendo Switch 2 or How to Perform a System Update on Nintendo Switch.

     • How to restart a Nintendo Switch console
       1. Press and hold the POWER Button for at least three seconds.
       2. Select Power OptionsOpciones de apagadoOptions d'alimentationOpções de desligar.
       3. Select Restart.
  3. Check if the Joy-Con controllers have the most recent firmware update.
     • How to update controller firmware
       1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
       2. Navigate to Controllers and Sensors.
       3. Select Update Controllers to begin updating the controller's firmware.

       For more information, see How to Update the Controller Firmware.

  4. Detach the Joy-Con, then start a game or navigate through the menus to see if the Joy-Con stays connected. If they still disconnect, continue with the next steps.
     • How to detach the Joy-Con controllers
       1. Press the release button at the back of the Joy-Con while sliding the Joy-Con from bottom to top.

       Important: After detaching the Joy-Con controllers from the console, be sure to attach the Joy-Con straps before starting a game or software.

       

       For more information on attaching and detaching Joy-Con controllers, see How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con Controllers from Nintendo Switch.

  5. Press the SYNC Button on the Joy-Con once to reset it, then press any button, such as the A Button, to power it on again.
  6. Test the Joy-Con while the console is in Airplane Mode.
     • How to test the Joy-Con in Airplane Mode
       1. Activate Airplane Mode from the System Settings menu.
       2. Turn Bluetooth back on from the "Airplane Mode" menu.
       3. Press a button on each Joy-Con controller to reconnect them.
       4. After the Joy-Con are connected to the console wirelessly, deactivate airplane mode and continue to use the console as normal.
  7. Check for wireless interference. Make sure the console is not placed behind a TV, under a metal object, or within four feet of other wireless devices (wireless speakers, cordless phones, etc.).
  8. Test the console with another Joy-Con controller (either left or right) if possible.

  • Issues persists with only one Joy-Con

    The Joy-Con will need to be serviced.

  • Issues persists with multiple Joy-Con

    The controllers and console will need to be sent in for service.

    For your convenience, Nintendo provides a quick and easy-to-use online service request process.

• Nintendo Switch Lite
  1. Check that your console has the latest system update. If so, restart it.
     • How to check for the latest system update
       1. Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
       2. Scroll down to the bottom of the System Settings menu and select System.
       3. Select System Update to start the system update process.
          • The system will check to see if an update is available.

       For more information, see How to Perform a System Update on Nintendo Switch 2 or How to Perform a System Update on Nintendo Switch.

     • How to restart a Nintendo Switch console
       1. Press and hold the POWER Button for at least three seconds.
       2. Select Power OptionsOpciones de apagadoOptions d'alimentationOpções de desligar.
       3. Select Restart.
  2. Check if the Joy-Con controllers have the most recent firmware update.
     • How to update controller firmware
       1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
       2. Navigate to Controllers and Sensors.
       3. Select Update Controllers to begin updating the controller's firmware.

       For more information, see How to Update the Controller Firmware.

  3. Start a game or navigate through the menus to see if the Joy-Con stays connected. If it still disconnects, continue to the next steps.
  4. Delete the pairing information from the system and then pair the Joy-Con again.
  5. Press the SYNC Button on the Joy-Con once to reset it, then press any button, such as the A Button, to power it on again.
  6. Test the Joy-Con while the console is in Airplane Mode.
     • How to test the Joy-Con in Airplane Mode
       1. Activate Airplane Mode from the System Settings menu.
       2. Turn Bluetooth back on from the "Airplane Mode" menu.
       3. Press a button on each Joy-Con controller to reconnect them.
       4. After the Joy-Con are connected to the console wirelessly, deactivate airplane mode and continue to use the console as normal.
  7. Check for wireless interference. Make sure the console is not placed behind a TV, under a metal object, or within four feet of other wireless devices (wireless speakers, cordless phones, etc.).
  8. Test the console with another Joy-Con controller (either left or right) if possible.

  • Issues persists with only one Joy-Con

    The Joy-Con will need to be serviced.

  • Issues persists with multiple Joy-Con

    The controllers and console will need to be sent in for service.

    For your convenience, Nintendo provides a quick and easy-to-use online service request process.