These days, it’s difficult to find a gaming controller that doesn’t eventually succumb to drift. It’s such a widespread problem that companies like Nintendo and Xbox have been hit with lawsuits from all over the world as a result. The most common type of drift for Nintendo is joy-con drift. However, while drift is less common in Pro Controllers, they are not immune to it. Here’s how to fix your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller if it’s drifting..
Ways to Fix Drifting Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Calibrate your control sticks in the Settings menu
Before you disassemble your Pro controller, consider whether there is a simpler way. With your Switch, navigate to the Settings menu and then to the Controller and Sensors section. Continue down the list of options until you reach the Calibrate Control Sticks option. This will guide you through the process of re-calibrating your control sticks to the desired input sensitivity. After the calibration is finished, you can test your joysticks to see if the drift persists.
Update your controllers
You can select Update Controllers just above the Calibrate Control Sticks option. Some newer updates have addressed and resolved the drift issue. It may not appear to work, especially if you believe the problem is hardware-related, but it is worth a shot. If the updates and calibrations do not resolve the issue, you must resort to more drastic repair measures.
Final Words
If your controller is drifting, you’ll be painfully aware of it almost immediately. Typically, a controller works by the player applying pressure to the joystick and moving it in a specific direction. The joystick detects this input and displays it in the game. When your controller drifts, the joysticks detect incorrect input and begin moving your character around as if they have their own mind. This is extremely inconvenient and can result in lost matches or untimely deaths.
