Switch Joy-Con.jpg

A bit of an ongoing saga around the Nintendo Switch has revolved around scenarios in which the Joy-Con controllers - particularly the left one - lose their connection. Far more prevalent on that left controller, it seems the Bluetooth-driven signal can struggle if the controller is 'obstructed' from a direct line to the console.

Nintendo of America has now issued official guidance related to the issue - it advises updating the hardware, and then trying to keep away potential obstructing signals if the problem persists. A copy of this is below.


Ensure your console has the latest system update.

Ensure the Joy-Con controllers are charged. [How to]

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.


A lot of this advice is simply covering as many bases as possible, but will hopefully be helpful in any case. It seems that relatively rare and brief drop-outs (of a couple of seconds) have happened for a number of users, though some online have cited more serious problems. It's difficult to gauge how significant or widespread the issue has been (we've not encountered many problems on our units to date, for example) but Nintendo has nonetheless felt the need to provide an update.

Are any of you Switch owners having notable Joy-Con connection issues?

With thanks to SLIGEACH_EIRE for the heads up.

[source en-americas-support.nintendo.com]