The Player LEDs Are Not Working on Joy-Con 2 or Joy-Con Controllers

What to do

Which console are you using?

• Nintendo Switch 2
  1. Check that your console has the latest system update. If the console is already up to date, restart it by holding down the POWER Button for three seconds, then select Power OptionsOpciones de apagadoOptions d'alimentationOpções de desligar followed by Restart.
     • How to perform a system update on Nintendo Switch 2
       1. Select the System Settings on the HOME Menu.
          
          
          
          
       2. Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select System.
       3. Select System Update, to start the system update process.
          
          
          
          
          • 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. With the console powered on, attach the Joy-Con 2 controllers to the console. An icon showing that the controllers are attached will appear on the screen.
     • How to attach Joy-Con 2 to Nintendo Switch 2
       1. Position the console so it's upright and facing you.
       2. Bring the right Joy-Con 2 (controller with + Button) to the right side of the console.
       3. Align the bottom of the controller close to the console, then bring the top close to the console. You will hear a click when it is securely attached.
          • Keep the area between the Joy-Con 2 and the console clear of any foreign objects.
          
       4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the left Joy-Con 2 (controller with - Button).

       The attached Joy-Con 2 controllers are ready to be used. They will also be paired wirelessly to the console and can be detached to use wirelessly.

       For more information, see How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con 2 Controllers from Nintendo Switch 2.

  3. Check that the battery charge on the controllers is not low or depleted. If the battery charge on the controllers is low, allow them to charge before continuing.
     • How to check the battery life for paired controllers
       1. Select ControllersControlesManettesControles from the HOME Menu.
       2. The approximate battery life will be displayed for each controller that is actively paired to this Nintendo Switch 2 system.

       For more information, please see How to Check the Battery Life on Nintendo Switch 2.

     • How to charge Joy-Con 2

       The Joy-Con 2 controllers can be charged in the following ways with Nintendo Switch 2:

       While attached to the Nintendo Switch 2 console.

       1. Attach the Joy-Con 2 to the Nintendo Switch 2 console and power it on.
          • In order for the Joy-Con 2 to charge while attached to the Nintendo Switch 2 console, the console must be connected to the AC adapter and powered on or in Sleep Mode.
       2. Charge the console.

       While attached to the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip.

       1. Attach the Joy-Con 2 to the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip.
       2. Connect the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip to the Nintendo Switch 2 dock using the USB cable that was included with the Charging Grip, or connect it directly to the Nintendo Switch 2 AC adapter (NGN-01).

       For more information, see How to Charge the Joy-Con 2 Controllers.

  4. While in the HOME Menu, detach the controllers from the console. An icon showing that the controllers are detached will appear on the screen.
     • How to detach Joy-Con 2 controllers from a Nintendo Switch 2

       Important: After detaching the Joy-Con 2 controllers from the console, be sure to attach the Joy-Con 2 straps before starting a game or software.

       1. Press the release button on the back of the Joy-Con 2.
          
       2. While holding the release button down, pull the controller away from the console to detach it.
          

       The Joy-Con 2 registration information is not deleted when the controllers are detached. You can now use them as wireless controllers.

     • If none of the player LEDs are lit when the Joy-Con 2 are detached, press a button, such as the A Button, on each controller while the console is powered on.
  5. If the Joy-Con 2 controllers are displayed correctly on the console screen, but the player LEDs remain unlit, try the following:
     • Attach and detach the Joy-Con 2 controllers two or three times.
     • Reset the controllers by pressing the SYNC Button once. Then press any other button, such as the A Button, to power on the controllers again.
     • Verify that the Joy-Con 2 controllers have the latest controller firmware installed.
       • How to update controller firmware on Nintendo Switch 2
         1. Ensure your console has the latest system update installed.
         2. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
         3. Scroll down to Controllers & Accessories.
         4. In the Controllers & Accessories options, scroll down and select Update Controllers to begin updating any controllers that are powered on and paired with the console.
            • If multiple controllers are paired to the console, the controllers will be updated one controller at a time.
            • If the update stops before it can be completed, try this step again.

         For more information, follow How to Update Controller Firmware on Nintendo Switch 2.

     • If available, try using another set of Joy-Con 2.
       • Second set of controllers work

         If another set of Joy-Con 2 controllers works correctly, only the problematic Joy-Con 2 will need to be serviced.

         To set up a Service Request for Joy-Con 2 only, please visit the Nintendo website to set up the service.

       • Second set of controllers did not work or are not available

         If the issue persists with another set of Joy-Con 2, or if another set is unavailable, the problematic Joy-Con 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 will need to be serviced.

         To set up a Service Request for Joy-Con 2 only, please visit the Nintendo website to set up the service.

• Nintendo Switch – OLED Model
  1. Check that your console is powered on and has the latest system update installed. If the console is already up to date, restart it by holding down the POWER Button for three seconds, then select Power OptionsOpciones de apagadoOptions d'alimentationOpções de desligar, followed by Restart.
     • 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.

  2. With the console powered on, attach the Joy-Con to the console. The Joy-Con will be displayed as "attached" on the bottom left corner of the screen.
     • How to attach Joy-Con controllers to a Nintendo Switch console
       1. Align the – Button on the left Joy-Con with the top left corner of console, and align the + Button on the right Joy-Con with the top right corner of the console.
          
       2. Use the rails on the sides of the console to slide the Joy-Con from top to bottom, until you hear a click.
          

       For more information, read How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con Controllers from Nintendo Switch.

     • Joy-Con are not recognized while attached to the console

       If the Joy-Con are not recognized while attached to the console, see Joy-Con Not Recognized or Not Registering While Attached to the Console.

  3. Check that the battery charge on the controllers is not low or depleted.
     • How to check the battery life for paired controllers
       1. From the HOME Menu select Controllers.
          
       2. The approximate battery life will be displayed for each controller that is paired to a Nintendo Switch system.

       For more information, please see How to Check the Battery Life.

     • Battery charge on the Joy-Con is low

       Allow the Joy-Con to charge before continuing.

     • Joy-Con battery is unable to charge correctly

       If the Joy-Con battery is unable to charge correctly, see Controller Power Issues.

  4. While in the HOME Menu, detach the Joy-Con from the console. The Joy-Con will be displayed as "detached" on the bottom left corner of the screen.
     • How to detach Joy-Con controllers from a Nintendo Switch console

       Press the release button at the back of the Joy-Con while sliding the Joy-Con from bottom to top.

       

       

       For more information, read How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con Controllers from Nintendo Switch.

     • If none of the player LEDs are lit when the Joy-Con are detached, press a button, such as the A Button, on each controller while the console is powered on.
  5. If the Joy-Con are displayed correctly on the console screen, but the player LEDs remain unlit, try the following:
     • Attach and detach the Joy-Con two or three times.
     • Reset the controllers by pressing the SYNC Button once. Then press any other button, such as the A Button, to power on the controllers again.
     • Verify that the Joy-Con have the latest controller firmware installed.
       • How to update the controller firmware
         1. Check that your console has the latest system update.
         2. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu, then Controllers and Sensors.
         3. Select Update Controllers to begin updating the controller's firmware. If multiple controllers are paired to the console, the firmware will be updated one controller at a time.

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

     • If available, try using another set of Joy-Con.
       • Second set of controllers work

         If another set of Joy-Con controllers works correctly, only the problematic Joy-Con will need to be serviced.

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

       • Second set of controllers did not work or are not available

         If the issue persists with another set of Joy-Con, or if another set is unavailable, the problematic Joy-Con and the console will need to be serviced.

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

• Nintendo Switch
  1. Check that your console is powered on and has the latest system update installed. If the console is already up to date, restart it by holding down the POWER Button for three seconds, then select Power OptionsOpciones de apagadoOptions d'alimentationOpções de desligar, followed by Restart.
     • 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.

  2. With the console powered on, attach the Joy-Con to the console. The Joy-Con will be displayed as "attached" on the bottom left corner of the screen.
     • How to attach Joy-Con controllers to a Nintendo Switch console
       1. Align the – Button on the left Joy-Con with the top left corner of console, and align the + Button on the right Joy-Con with the top right corner of the console.
          
       2. Use the rails on the sides of the console to slide the Joy-Con from top to bottom, until you hear a click.
          

       For more information, read How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con Controllers from Nintendo Switch.

     • Joy-Con are not recognized while attached to the console

       If the Joy-Con are not recognized while attached to the console, see Joy-Con Not Recognized or Not Registering While Attached to the Console.

  3. Check that the battery charge on the controllers is not low or depleted.
     • How to check the battery life for paired controllers
       1. From the HOME Menu select Controllers.
          
       2. The approximate battery life will be displayed for each controller that is paired to a Nintendo Switch system.

       For more information, please see How to Check the Battery Life.

     • Battery charge on the Joy-Con is low

       Allow the Joy-Con to charge before continuing.

     • Joy-Con battery is unable to charge correctly

       If the Joy-Con battery is unable to charge correctly, see Controller Power Issues.

  4. While in the HOME Menu, detach the Joy-Con from the console. The Joy-Con will be displayed as "detached" on the bottom left corner of the screen.
     • How to detach Joy-Con controllers from a Nintendo Switch console

       Press the release button at the back of the Joy-Con while sliding the Joy-Con from bottom to top.

       

       

       For more information, read How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con Controllers from Nintendo Switch.

     • If none of the player LEDs are lit when the Joy-Con are detached, press a button, such as the A Button, on each controller while the console is powered on.
  5. If the Joy-Con are displayed correctly on the console screen, but the player LEDs remain unlit, try the following:
     • Attach and detach the Joy-Con two or three times.
     • Reset the controllers by pressing the SYNC Button once. Then press any other button, such as the A Button, to power on the controllers again.
     • Verify that the Joy-Con have the latest controller firmware installed.
       • How to update the controller firmware
         1. Check that your console has the latest system update.
         2. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu, then Controllers and Sensors.
         3. Select Update Controllers to begin updating the controller's firmware. If multiple controllers are paired to the console, the firmware will be updated one controller at a time.

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

     • If available, try using another set of Joy-Con.
       • Second set of controllers work

         If another set of Joy-Con controllers works correctly, only the problematic Joy-Con will need to be serviced.

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

       • Second set of controllers did not work or are not available

         If the issue persists with another set of Joy-Con, or if another set is unavailable, the problematic Joy-Con and the console will need to be serviced.

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

• Nintendo Switch Lite
  1. Check that your console is powered on and has the latest system update installed. If the console is already up to date, restart it by holding down the POWER Button for three seconds, then select Power Options, followed by Restart.
     • 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.

  2. With the system powered on, delete the pairing information for all wireless controllers, then pair the Joy-Con again.
     • How to delete controller pairing information
       1. From the HOME Menu, select System Settings, Controllers and Sensors, then Disconnect Controllers.
       2. Hold down the X Button on the right Joy-Con until the blue circle is fully illuminated.
          • The attached Joy-Con can be used with the console. All other controllers will need to be paired again.

       For additional information, please see How to Delete the Pairing Information With Nintendo Switch.

     • How to pair Joy-Con controllers to Nintendo Switch Lite
       1. Select Controllers from the HOME Menu.
       2. Select Change Grip and Order. The remaining steps will be done while on this screen .
       3. Press and hold down the SYNC Button for at least one second on the controller you wish to pair. Once paired, the player LED(s) corresponding to the controller number will remain lit.
       4. Press the L Buttons/R Buttons as indicated below to confirm how the Joy-Con will be held. The console won't be able to tell how you intend to hold the controllers if you do the Button Pairing alone.

          How to Use the Joy-Con	Buttons to Press
          As a dual-controller grip	L Button (on left Joy-Con) + R Button (on right Joy-Con)
          	ZL Button (on left Joy-Con) + ZR Button (on right Joy-Con)
          As a solo horizontal grip	SL Button + SR Button on each Joy-Con you wish to use horizontally

       For more information, see How to Pair Joy-Con Controllers.

  3. Check that the battery charge on the controllers is not low or depleted.
     • How to check the battery life for paired controllers
       1. From the HOME Menu select Controllers.
          
       2. The approximate battery life will be displayed for each controller that is paired to a Nintendo Switch system.

       For more information, please see How to Check the Battery Life.

     • Battery charge on the Joy-Con is low

       Allow the Joy-Con to charge before continuing.

     • Joy-Con battery is unable to charge correctly

       If the Joy-Con battery is unable to charge correctly, see Controller Power Issues.

  4. Once the Joy-Con are charged, press a button such as the A Button on each controller while the system is powered on. The Joy-Con will be displayed in the HOME Menu on the bottom left corner of the screen.
  5. If the Joy-Con are displayed correctly on the system screen, but the player LEDs remain unlit, try the following:
     • Reset the controllers by pressing the SYNC Button once. Then press any other button, such as the A Button, to power on the controllers again.
     • Verify that the Joy-Con have the latest controller firmware installed.
       • How to update the controller firmware
         1. Check that your console has the latest system update.
         2. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu, then Controllers and Sensors.
         3. Select Update Controllers to begin updating the controller's firmware. If multiple controllers are paired to the console, the firmware will be updated one controller at a time.

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

     • If available, try using another set of Joy-Con.
       • Second set of controllers work

         If another set of Joy-Con controllers works correctly, only the problematic Joy-Con will need to be serviced.

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

       • Second set of controllers did not work or are not available

         If the issue persists with another set of Joy-Con, or if another set is unavailable, the problematic Joy-Con and the console will need to be serviced.

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