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How to Pair the NES Controller to Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

In this article, you'll learn how to pair or synchronize the NES Controllers to a Nintendo Switch system.

Note: When NES controllers are attached to a Nintendo Switch system, the system will not fit in the dock with LAN port. The NES controllers can be charged by connecting the AC adapter directly into the USB connector on the Nintendo Switch system, by using a dock without LAN port, or by attaching them to a Nintendo Switch – OLED Model system and placing it in the dock with LAN port.

  1. Which system are you using?

  2. Complete these steps

    The NES Controllers can be paired to the Nintendo Switch console in the following ways:

    Joint pairing

    Simply attach the NES Controllers to the console. Once the NES Controllers are attached to the system, they are registered and can now be detached and used wirelessly.

    Button pairing
    1. From the HOME Menu, select ControllersControlesManettesControles, then Change Grip Order.
    2. While the following screen is displayed, press and hold the SYNC Button for at least one second on the controller you wish to pair.
      Change Grip and Order screen
      3. Once paired, the player LED(s) corresponding to the controller number will remain lit.
      Paired NES Controller being displayed on the Change Grip and Order screen

    Complete these steps

    1. From the HOME Menu, select ControllersControlesManettesControles, then Change Grip Order.
    2. While the following screen is displayed, press and hold the SYNC Button for at least one second on the controller you wish to pair.
      Change Grip and Order screen
      3. Once paired, the player LED(s) corresponding to the controller number will remain lit.
      Paired NES Controller being displayed on the Change Grip and Order screen

    Complete these steps

    The NES Controllers can be paired to the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model console in the following ways:

    Joint pairing

    Simply attach the NES Controllers to the console. Once the NES Controllers are attached to the system, they are registered and can now be detached and used wirelessly.

    Button pairing
    1. From the HOME Menu, select ControllersControlesManettesControles, then Change Grip Order.
    2. While the following screen is displayed, press and hold the SYNC Button for at least one second on the controller you wish to pair.
      Change Grip and Order screen
      3. Once paired, the player LED(s) corresponding to the controller number will remain lit.
      Paired NES Controller being displayed on the Change Grip and Order screen

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