How To Eliminate Joystick Drift From A Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Repair Guide

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

                          10 - 15 minutes

Sections

How to Eliminate Joystick Drift from a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
11 steps

Flags

BackNintendo Switch Pro Controller
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

It’s difficult to enjoy a video game when your controller is working against you. You may be tempted to throw away the controller and buy a new one, but a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller has an MSRP of nearly $70.00!

Fortunately, there is a relatively easy fix for joystick drift. The solution involves taking apart the controller to clean the inside of the joysticks. This guide will show you how to do this safely and quickly.

What you need

Step 1

              How to Eliminate Joystick Drift from a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Remove the two black screws at the bottom ends of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
You may be able to remove the screws with a different-sized screwdriver or flathead. However, this may “strip” or damage the screws and make them more difficult to remove next time.
Pull the hand grips off the bottom edges of the controller.

Remove the two black screws at the bottom ends of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

You may be able to remove the screws with a different-sized screwdriver or flathead. However, this may “strip” or damage the screws and make them more difficult to remove next time.

Pull the hand grips off the bottom edges of the controller.

1024

Step 2

Remove the four silver screws from the back of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Hold the controller as depicted in the third picture with your thumbs placed on the top of the controller. Use your thumbs to pry apart the backplate from the rest of the controller.
You may need to use a bit of pressure to remove the backplate.

Remove the four silver screws from the back of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Hold the controller as depicted in the third picture with your thumbs placed on the top of the controller. Use your thumbs to pry apart the backplate from the rest of the controller.

You may need to use a bit of pressure to remove the backplate.

Step 3

Place a finger in the gap to the left of the battery.
Use the small tab on the side of the battery to remove the battery from the controller.

Place a finger in the gap to the left of the battery.

Use the small tab on the side of the battery to remove the battery from the controller.

Step 4

Remove the five black screws from the back of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Place a finger between the faceplate and the rest of the controller and pull each half of the controller apart to separate them.
Don’t use too much pressure when prying open the controller as you may damage the white ribbon cable connecting both halves.

Remove the five black screws from the back of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Place a finger between the faceplate and the rest of the controller and pull each half of the controller apart to separate them.

Don’t use too much pressure when prying open the controller as you may damage the white ribbon cable connecting both halves.

Step 5

Use one hand to grip the back of the controller piece with the joysticks. With the other hand, grip the rubber cap of the joystick and pull it off of the joystick.
You may need to apply a bit of pressure to pull off the rubber cap.

Use one hand to grip the back of the controller piece with the joysticks. With the other hand, grip the rubber cap of the joystick and pull it off of the joystick.

You may need to apply a bit of pressure to pull off the rubber cap.

Step 6

Spray the can of compressed air inside and around the joysticks to remove any debris.
There may be some debris that doesn’t come off after blowing with the compressed air. In this case, you can use a paper towel or cotton swab to lessen the build-up and follow up with the compressed air.
Be sure to follow the instructions when using the compressed air can. Shaking the can may result in liquid being expelled instead of air. This may damage the controller.

Spray the can of compressed air inside and around the joysticks to remove any debris.

There may be some debris that doesn’t come off after blowing with the compressed air. In this case, you can use a paper towel or cotton swab to lessen the build-up and follow up with the compressed air.

Be sure to follow the instructions when using the compressed air can. Shaking the can may result in liquid being expelled instead of air. This may damage the controller.

Step 7

Place the rubber caps back on the joysticks by applying a bit of pressure.
The inside of the rubber cap has an oval-shaped socket. Align this socket with the oval-shaped head of the joystick.

Place the rubber caps back on the joysticks by applying a bit of pressure.

The inside of the rubber cap has an oval-shaped socket. Align this socket with the oval-shaped head of the joystick.

Step 8

Align both halves of the controller and push them together. They should reattach easily.
You may need to position the cable so that it is not poking out from the controller after connecting both halves.
Screw in the five black screws on the back of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Align both halves of the controller and push them together. They should reattach easily.

You may need to position the cable so that it is not poking out from the controller after connecting both halves.

Screw in the five black screws on the back of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Step 9

Place the battery into the socket by aligning the connectors on the battery with the connectors on the right of the battery socket.

Place the battery into the socket by aligning the connectors on the battery with the connectors on the right of the battery socket.

Step 10

Align the backplate of the controller as shown in the picture and snap it on.
Screw in the four silver screws in the back of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Align the backplate of the controller as shown in the picture and snap it on.

Screw in the four silver screws in the back of the controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Step 11

Reattach the handgrips by sliding them onto the ends of the controller.
Screw in the two black screws on the bottom of the handgrips using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Reattach the handgrips by sliding them onto the ends of the controller.

Screw in the two black screws on the bottom of the handgrips using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

After following these steps, your controller will be much cleaner now than it was before. Your controller should now be drift-free and function as well as any other $70.00 controller!

If you are still experiencing drift, then there is a physical defect with the joystick. In this case, you can opt to replace the joystick itself. You can find replacement parts online, but you will probably need to learn how to solder in order to install the replacement joystick.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      15 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 2 other contributors

                    Raul Sanchez

Member since: 03/21/2022

599 Reputation

                                      1 Guide authored                  



                       Badges:
                       9







                                                        +6 more badges

Team

                       CSU Los Angeles, Team 4-67, Briggs Spring 2022                        

                                                  Member of CSU Los Angeles, Team 4-67, Briggs Spring 2022 



                    CSULA-BRIGGS-S22S4G67                     


                                            1 Member                     


                                            5 Guides authored

Darren Townsend - Sep 6, 2022

Excellent. Really clear guide. Thank you so much

Patrick Meade - Jan 1, 2023

Worked like a charm! Thank you!

Mitul Kanji - Jan 3, 2023

This page says Philips 0 screwdriver but I think it’s 00, I just tried with a 0 (purchased elsewhere) and it doesn’t work, too big.

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team