You can fix your Switch Pro Controller's Dpad with office tape

delete12345 · Jul 30, 2018

I swear I searched for any threads about this video that was uploaded yesterday. This time, the Wadsworth Constant is multiplied by a factor of 3.

At the point of where the video explains, the designs in the Pro Controller consists of 4 pins (or I should say, "minuses"), with each "minus" facing towards the center of the D-pad. Underneath the D-pad, there is a rubber membrane, which when touching the metal pins, it will short the pins out, thus registering an OFF state. This OFF state is later computed as a button press.

The design of the 4 pins and minuses drawn like a "+" symbol makes the UP and DOWN buttons easier to trigger when moving LEFT and RIGHT. The same thing goes for LEFT and RIGHT, when moving UP and DOWN.

By putting on tape in the inner radius of the Dpad, you increase the "deadzone" of the Dpad, thus making it harder to trigger a simultaneous UP/DOWN (for LEFT/RIGHT presses) or LEFT/RIGHT (for UP/DOWN presses). This makes the Dpad more accurate when you're doing quick button presses.

The video explains it better than I do, so please watch when you have the chance.

This will fix your Dpad. Thanks to Spawn Wave for the video.

LinkSlayer64 · Jul 30, 2018

No offense to you, but this is well known by now. However, I'm sure there will be some who have never googled their issue that will be Happy to see a fix, so it serves a positive purpose.

Deleted member 36622 · Jul 30, 2018

Doesn't that tape makes the d-pad less responsive depending on how you press that button?

Deleted member 9971 · Jul 30, 2018

That's pretty neat. Thanks.

delete12345 · Jul 30, 2018

LinkSlayer64 said:
No offense to you, but this is well known by now. However, I'm sure there will be some who have never googled their issue that will be Happy to see a fix, so it serves a positive purpose.

Yep, it's well known, but Spawn Wave did mention that he found out about this mod a year ago, and is now attempting this mod in this video. I skipped out the introduction in the video that tells you all of this, so I apologize for that.

Harald23 said:
Doesn't that tape makes the d-pad less responsive depending on how you press that button?

The whole point was to increase the "deadzone" area size.

Jeeves · Jul 30, 2018

Yep mine has electrical tape under it. I think I increased the dead zone by a little too much, but it's better than it was originally.

I would love to buy a second Pro controller, if Nintendo would just fix them already.

SoH · Jul 30, 2018

I tried this fix with more than 50% coverage on each contact. Diagonals are still really bad. At least 1/3 of my deaths in Celeste have been due to the shit d-pad. Have to be incredibly mindful to not have an accidental input.

neon_dream · Jul 30, 2018

Here are some webpages with pictures:

http://www.ateijelo.com/blog/2017/07/12/effective-fix-switch-pro-controller-dpad-issues
https://kotaku.com/how-to-fix-your-switch-pro-controller-s-d-pad-1827325012

Pretty easy to do. Did so with my Pro controller and the performance is much better. Scotch tape was the best to use, for sure. Duct tape was too thick and caused too many dropped inputs.

SmiteOfHand said:
I tried this fix with more then 50% coverage on each contact. Diagonals are still really bad. At least 1/3 of my deaths in Celeste have been due to the shit d-pad. Have to be incredibly mindful to not have an accidental input.

That's interesting. I did about 1/3 coverage and have been happy with that.

delete12345 · Jul 30, 2018

Essentially, what Nintendo may not know about is that the Dpad's deadzone is very large, but the area of the contact points towards the center are much larger. So large, it negates the large "deadzone" they have redesigned back then in the XenoBlade 2 Pro Controllers.

So, we need to figure out how to get in contact with Nintendo, and let them know that they need to shrink the area of the contact points in the Pro Controllers.

That's my personal opinion on this matter.

Deleted member 23212 · Jul 30, 2018

Is this something that affects every Pro Controller? I thought mine felt fine, so I'm wondering if I just don't notice or if it just doesn't affect mine.

impact · Jul 30, 2018

This should not be necessary on a $70 controller.

Shepherd · Jul 30, 2018

You have to find the sweet spot. Did this with mine and still had trouble with diagonals.
Such an expensive piece of hardware and we have to apply duct tape for it to work in an acceptable manner. This is such a joke. And worst: no revision even after we know about the problem for 1 and a half year.

Okii · Jul 30, 2018

impact said:
This should not be necessary on a $70 controller.

Yeah this is crazy, have Nintendo addressed this is in any way? Completely unacceptable given the price.

neon_dream · Jul 30, 2018

impact said:
This should not be necessary on a $70 controller.

You're right. It shouldn't. This is a ridiculous design flaw, which is surprising given Nintendo's history of excellent d-pads. It's also unfortunate given how great the rest of the Pro Controller is.

Begbie · Jul 30, 2018

Ive tried a pro with puyo puyo tetris with zero issues so it isnt on every controller (that was a launch pro controller)

Kayo Police · Jul 30, 2018

impact said:
This should not be necessary on a $70 controller.

My thoughts exactly.

FSLink · Jul 30, 2018

impact said:
This should not be necessary on a $70 controller.

It shouldn't be necessary but at least it's relatively easy to fix.

delete12345 · Jul 30, 2018

Oheao said:
Is this something that affects every Pro Controller? I thought mine felt fine, so I'm wondering if I just don't notice or if it just doesn't affect mine.

It affects all Pro Controller, because by design, the metal contact points (or pins, or minuses) are placed neatly in the same fashion as the one shown in the video. Probably the next Pro Controllers might have another redesign change?

ss_lemonade · Jul 30, 2018

Would changing the membrane work? The switch pro controller and my Shield Portable seem to have the same problem with diagonals and me swapping out my Shield Portable's dpad membrane with that of a Dualshock 3 helped a lot.

Still, it's ridiculous that a controller as expensive as this has such a problem in the first place.

Bjomesphat · Jul 30, 2018

Oheao said:
Is this something that affects every Pro Controller? I thought mine felt fine, so I'm wondering if I just don't notice or if it just doesn't affect mine.

I just bought a new one, did extensive input testing and didn't have a single unintended input.

I did use this method on the 8bitdo controller I have because that dpad is garbage.

Wein Cruz · Jul 30, 2018

Isn't this effectively the Xbox 360 Pringles lid fix that did not address the root issue?

Zyrokai · Jul 30, 2018

Are they never going to fix this in newer Pro Controllers?

Donkusei · Jul 30, 2018

Nobody needs that, it works well (at least on the Xenoblade revision). That's why Nintendo won't "fix it". You won't be better, I did 200% in DKCTF and I play many 2D games with the d-pad, OCTOPATH TRAVELER now, no issues at all.

Clay · Jul 30, 2018

I wasn't aware it needed fixing. I've played a bunch of 2D platformers on my Switch and I prefer the dpad to the PS4's and X1's.

Walnut · Jul 30, 2018

Begbie said:
Ive tried a pro with puyo puyo tetris with zero issues so it isnt on every controller (that was a launch pro controller)

It does affect every single pro controller, but the way you press the buttons may make you less suspetible to noticing it. I tend to roll my finger on the pad so I would get a lot of misfires in games like Sonic Mania or Puyo Puyo, after applying the duct tape fix it's been a lot better.

For anyone who tries this, please note that some of the screws can be a little hard to get out, so even though they're standard Phillips head screws, use a lot of caution to not strip anything. I ruined my first pad that way and couldn't get it open to tweak the tape when I overshot the amount of contacts to cover. I finally got good results by covering about 60% of the contact and curling the tape up a bit to give it a bit of a curve, which exposes less of the edges for unintentional presses but gives you a bit more for ones you meant to do straight on

Nacho · Jul 30, 2018

Donkusei said:
Nobody needs that, it works well (at least on the Xenoblade revision). That's why Nintendo won't "fix it". You won't be better, I did 200% in DKCTF and I play many 2D games with the d-pad, OCTOPATH TRAVELER now, no issues at all.

Yep, everyone's lying. You've figured them out.

mikehaggar · Jul 30, 2018

Bjomesphat said:
I just bought a new one, did extensive input testing and didn't have a single unintended input.

I did use this method on the 8bitdo controller I have because that dpad is garbage.

This is interesting... is it possible Nintendo fixed the dpad on newer Pro controllers? I'll buy two the instant I know the dpad is 100% not garbage...

Meffer · Jul 30, 2018

I have this issue too. I bought mine day one and it messed me up in BotW numerous times whenever I switched weapons.

Ramune · Jul 30, 2018

I had no idea this was a thing! Haven't bought a Pro controller yet, but...man for $70 and from Nintendo of all companies. Hope they can fix it in future revisions....

Boiled Goose · Jul 30, 2018

Haven't bought a pro controller because of this

SoH · Jul 30, 2018

Donkusei said:
Nobody needs that, it works well (at least on the Xenoblade revision). That's why Nintendo won't "fix it". You won't be better, I did 200% in DKCTF and I play many 2D games with the d-pad, OCTOPATH TRAVELER now, no issues at all.

You are welcome to try Celeste B-Sides on my controller. I would bet a financially ruinous amount of money you fuck up directional dashes a noticeable amount.

CO_Andy · Jul 30, 2018

mikehaggar said:
This is interesting... is it possible Nintendo fixed the dpad on newer Pro controllers? I'll buy two the instant I know the dpad is 100% not garbage...

the dpad on the classic procon got another revision after the xeno one. if you buy a new one you're likely to get the better dpad

GlacialTruffle · Jul 30, 2018

I have done this to mine. When I first did it to ~50% coverage of tape over the sensors, it made it so I had to press much harder for buttons to register.
After multiple attempts, I ended up with just a tiny amount of tape over the sensors; no more than 20% coverage. The buttons feel no harder to press, but false-positives are greatly reduced.

Wein Cruz · Jul 30, 2018

Donkusei said:
Nobody needs that, it works well (at least on the Xenoblade revision). That's why Nintendo won't "fix it". You won't be better, I did 200% in DKCTF and I play many 2D games with the d-pad, OCTOPATH TRAVELER now, no issues at all.

Just like the Xbox 360 dpad was perfectly acceptable amirite

balohna · Jul 30, 2018

Maybe I'll try this. I actually use the joycons for most 2D games. It would suck for fighters, but for platformers and puzzle games I find spaced out buttons work more than well enough. Puyo Tetris, Wonderboy and Steamworld Dig 2 all played great with joycons in the grip.

Deleted member 12790 · Jul 30, 2018

your explanation is a bit off. Those contact points are always in the OFF state. The rubber membrane you speak of is not rubber on the contact point, it doesn't short the circuit. They are actually graphite silicone contacts on the membranes. They do the opposite -- they complete the circuit, making the ON state, not the OFF. Graphite conducts electricity, not stops it.

strife85 · Jul 30, 2018

i was worried about this, but haven't had much issue on my normal pro pad..bought it a month ago.

Vern · Jul 30, 2018

I have two pro controllers and never had a problem with the dpad. Not sure what I'm doing wrong (or right I guess).

spman2099 · Jul 30, 2018

The most buyers remorse I have ever felt is with this controller. I paid SO much money, and Nintendo still couldn't deliver a working D-Pad. Such a bummer...

It wouldn't be Nintendo if they weren't letting me down, I suppose.

P-Switch · Jul 30, 2018

Azerare · Jul 30, 2018

Are the new revision pro controllers identified by a different model number or is it like a lottery or LE only?

hibikase · Jul 30, 2018

Never had any problems with my Switch Pro d-pad, but I wonder if it's because I grew up with the Gravis Gamepad Pro aka the worst d-pad ever made and it trained my muscle memory to be extra careful not to hit diagonals.

MAX PAYMENT · Jul 30, 2018

LinkSlayer64 said:
No offense to you, but this is well known by now. However, I'm sure there will be some who have never googled their issue that will be Happy to see a fix, so it serves a positive purpose.

Well known by who?

elektrixx · Jul 30, 2018

I might do this on the wireless NES controller I have for my NES Classic. It's fantastic for the AUD$13 I spent, but it could be better. Maybe I could do this with my SNES 8Bitdo pad as well.

BLLYjoe25 · Jul 30, 2018

This is ridiculous. I was gonna get a pro controller but I'll hold off until Nintendo fix it. It's not my job to fix it. I get paid to work. I don't work and pay people.

JaseMath · Jul 30, 2018

This is no way acceptable, and downright shameful at $70. The Pro Controller should work right out of the box.

sinny · Jul 31, 2018

I bought it at release after hearing what a godlike controller it was (on this forum or the other one, i can't remember) :(

I can't play anything that uses a dpad, it's awful. I can't believe im thinking of putting office tape inside the controller to fix something that should work out of the box.

At least this thread can alert more people of this problem so they don't buy a malfunctioning controller.

Shepherd · Jul 31, 2018

Azerare said:
Are the new revision pro controllers identified by a different model number or is it like a lottery or LE only?

There's no new revision. Maybe people are playing games that dont highlight the crappy dpad, maybe they are less sensitive to the problem. It's still out there in (almost?) every pro controller.

Shadow · Jul 31, 2018

Nintendo's hardware for their controllers is a mess on a whole right now.

-DPad on Pro Controller is bad
-Joycon's Control sticks have a bad drifting problem over time.
-Bluetooth range on the Joycons is laughable. (Dunno about the Pro).

All tested on multiple sets of Joycons and Switches.

PS4 and Xbox controllers don't have these problems and are much cheaper. I don't really understand the horrible Bluetooth as the Wii Remotes have very excellent Bluetooth in them.

NateDrake · Jul 31, 2018

Shadow said:
Nintendo's hardware for their controllers is a mess on a whole right now.

-DPad on Pro Controller is bad
-Joycon's Control sticks have a bad drifting problem over time.
-Bluetooth range on the Joycons is laughable. (Dunno about the Pro).

All tested on multiple sets of Joycons and Switches.

PS4 and Xbox controllers don't have these problems and are much cheaper. I don't really understand the horrible Bluetooth as the Wii Remotes have very excellent Bluetooth in them.

PS4 controllers are only $10 cheaper -- just because they are routinely on sale for less doesn't make them much cheaper. Plus, PS4 controllers have their own set of problems (like terrible battery life).

You can fix your Switch Pro Controller's Dpad with office tape

One Winged Slayer

One Winged Slayer

User requested account closure

User requested account closure

One Winged Slayer

One Winged Slayer

User requested account closure

One Winged Slayer

One Winged Slayer

Developer at Pixel Arc Studios

One Winged Slayer

User requested account closure

Alt Account

User requested ban

One Winged Slayer