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Topic: Is it normal that my switch creaks in handheld mode?

Posts 1 to 18 of 18

haxy33

Hi
I have a question regarding my switch. When in handheld mode, the joycons make a creaking noise when I'm holding it. It's not super load, but it's noticeable. Does anyone else have this problem? Or is it normal behavior, and I should just ignore it?

haxy33

WoomyNNYes

@haxy33 I'm sure they all have some creaking. I think Nintendo will say that there is some wiggle/play with the joycon fit by design (to better absorb shock if dropped), even though everyone would love them nice & tight.

On either side of the joycon LED lights, I cut a few rectangles of blue masking tape and stuck them there to make for a tighter fit. Doesn't look awesome, but it did make the joycons fit more snugly, and it could reduce your joycon creaking. It reduced the creaking on mine. I rarely remove my joycons, so I for get I have the tape.

For the sake of being thorough, I used masking tape because, it doesn't leave sticker residue if you remove the tape. I've had the tape on for two years.

Edited on by WoomyNNYes

Extreme bicycle rider (<--Link to a favorite bike video)
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SwitchForce

Are you using something like gripcase to hold the Switch?

SwitchForce

haxy33

@Woomy_NNYes Thanks, I might give it a shot, and see if it gets any better. And do you know how common it is for a switch to creak? I've been thinking about trying to get a replacement, but if it's a common problem, then maybe it's not worth the hassle

@SwitchForce no, I don't have any gripcase

haxy33

WoomyNNYes

@haxy33 If I was going to bet money on it, I'd put my money on all-switches-creak. I think it's normal. Normal = all switches creak. If you call nintendo to ask, be ready for them to say creaking is normal. If you serach youtube for "switch creaks" you'll see some videos.

I only used a single layer of masking tape. If you dont want it on your joycon, you could try some pieces inside the rail on the tablet.

With the 3DS, some screens had more wiggle than others, and I think Nintendo reps said if they were tighter, the 3DS hinges were likely to break/fail if stressed/dropped. I've got a feeling they'll say the same about joycon fit. I'm open to being wrong, but I think that's what you'll find.

Edited on by WoomyNNYes

Extreme bicycle rider (<--Link to a favorite bike video)
'Tendo liker

OorWullie

@haxy33 The first Switch I bought creaked pretty badly, I returned it to the store and replaced it for another,which still creaks slightly but not enough to be noticeable while playing. So yeah, they all creak it seems but some worse than others.

🇬🇧 Mr Mustard 🇹🇭
SW-6101-8403-1640

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haxy33

@Woomy_NNYes that's actually good to know. I thought I bought a faulty unit, but if they all creak in some way, then I guess it's not as serious as I thought it was. I'll try the tape trick and see what happens

@OorWullie how big is the difference in creaking between your new switch and the old one? Would say it was worth getting a replacement?

haxy33

rallydefault

Mine definitely do!

I have a launch console and boy that thing's been used for hundreds and hundreds of hours in handheld. The poor joycon creak and flex on those hinges, especially when I have my famous ninja grip goin on (lol).

Still works like a charm, though, nearly 3 years in. You should be fine, OP.

rallydefault

OorWullie

@haxy33 Well the difference is enough that I don't hear them creaking when I'm playing, before I could. The movement is less too, before they were quite loose. I'm sure I'd have gotten use to them in time but if it's easy enough for you to exchange them, then it's worth a go. If not, I'd also recommend using some masting tape on the console rail. I've done that for my right Joy-con for an unrelated reason and it barely moves,let alone creak.

🇬🇧 Mr Mustard 🇹🇭
SW-6101-8403-1640

🕹️ The Nintendolife Arcade Leaderboards 🕹️

Heavyarms55

@haxy33 I have 4 sets of joycons that make no noticeable sound when I use them. But if other people are reporting hearing some, perhaps there is just some small fraction of joycons that have the issue.

Or perhaps there is some dust or dirt that got into your joycons somehow and is making the noise.

Nintendo Switch FC: 4867-2891-2493
Switch username: Em
Discord: Heavyarms55#1475
Pokemon Go FC: 3838 2595 7596
PSN: Heavyarms55zx

WoomyNNYes

@Heavyarms55 so, your joycons make no creaks attatched to the switch, playing hanheld? Where they join the tablet at the rails, mine make some light creaks, but ambient noise or switch volume make the creaks unnoticeable.

Or, maybe you hadn't noticed, and now you're going notice it all the time?

Extreme bicycle rider (<--Link to a favorite bike video)
'Tendo liker

Heavyarms55

@Woomy_NNYes Nope, no creaks for mine. If I apply some force as though to bend it there's a very slight creak for a moment but just holding it, nothing. The creaking might come from people holding the console purely by the joycons, but because my hands are a little large, I naturally end up supporting the console itself too, so the weight isn't entirely on the rails.

Nintendo Switch FC: 4867-2891-2493
Switch username: Em
Discord: Heavyarms55#1475
Pokemon Go FC: 3838 2595 7596
PSN: Heavyarms55zx

NotTelevision

@Woomy_NNYes I think you’re right about the rails maybe being designed to “give” and bend slightly when used. The rails are metal but the joycon part that slides into them is a hard plastic.

I’ve seen stress test where people have dropped the whole console on its side and the joycons just bend within the rails rather than snap off.

That being said I’d prefer a snugger fit, because I never disconnect the joycon. If the Switch Lite had docking capabilities then I would’ve already sold the OG model I bought and get that one because I prefer the size and solidness of that unit, but that’s just me.

NotTelevision

NintendoByNature

I've had 2 switchs that don't make noise, but the joycons jiggle or are loosely fit onto the rails. Not sure if that's what everyones referring to but it does but the heck out of me.

NintendoByNature

haxy33

@NintendoByNature I think my joycons fit pretty tight, so maybe there's a trade-off between noise and looseness - you either get a pair that sits tight but creaks, or a pair that's silent but loose. But that's just my guess, and maybe there are some switches that are perfectly balanced, and don't have either of these problems.

haxy33

NintendoByNature

@haxy33 good point. I've only experienced my own 2 systems so thats all I can go by. Just feels flimsy.

NintendoByNature

Atomic77

The Switch Lite doesn’t do that. 🙂

Atomic77
Nintendo Switch OLED Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Edition Gamer

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