What the hell is with the joy con responsive issues?

youve got a bad unit. get it replaced .had the same on my day 1 unit. even had analog drift

I've returned two sets, and I still have issues with my right joycons. They just aren't very good imo.

Before returning your joycons, have you checked for possible signal interference around the Switch? Might be a case of simply moving the console a few inches.

blitzblake said:

Are the neon units around now still defective?? I heard issues at launch but would've thought it had been sorted out by now..

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blitzblake said:

I heard there was issues with a particular side of joy con (left or right can't remember) but this is happening to both..

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well i got a neon around august and theyre fine so far but the above is also true. the console is just flimsily made altogether. my last one died because apparently it cant handle an apple usb-c charger despite having a usb c port

Vishmarx said:

well i got a neon around august and theyre fine so far but the above is also true. the console is just flimsily made altogether. my last one died because apparently it cant handle an apple usb-c charger despite having a usb c port

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What's up with the hardware issues of the Switch really? Been hearing these kind of stories since launch, thought they'd be fixed by now. I'm looking to get one soon, or within the next year, maybe a used unit but I don't wanna play lottery with these things.

I've only ever had what you described when there was interference. I brought my switch to a shop to test input lag on a tv and like 1/10 button presses wouldn't register at all, or be really slow.

Have you updated the controller firmware via the system menu? That fixed my issues.

I have the same problem when my Switch has something infront of it like my Playstation Camera. It always needs a connection.

Vishmarx said:

well i got a neon around august and theyre fine so far but the above is also true. the console is just flimsily made altogether. my last one died because apparently it cant handle an apple usb-c charger despite having a usb c port

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Oh god the horror. Did your port die? I always use a good quality USB-C cable with an old apple charger lol

blitzblake said:

I heard there was issues with a particular side of joy con (left or right can't remember) but this is happening to both..

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Return your Switch. I returned my first one. That was close to launch, shame this is still happening.

Joy-cons seems to be pretty complex things. I love them in many ways, but reliability isn't their strong point.

I've had two switches and multiple sets of joycons. The joycons just suck and are poorly made. I can't use them at all because they're unreliable. I've moved my switch, disconnected my wireless phone, turned off WiFi....still issues. The Pro controller is flawless, so it's just a joycon issue.

Have you been enveloping your joy cons in giant hands? If you cover them up too much then you get the issues you are describing.

I still have issues with my Joy Cons. The connection is horrendous, even sitting only 2 meters away from the Switch / Dock. It's flat out bad. It doesn't help that I can't fucking use my 90 euro pro controller on Let's Go Pikachu.

Joycons are just shitty hardware. No real 2 ways about it. There maybe dust under the analogue base cause drifting and unresponsiveness. I've still managed fine with them granted but yeah its poor.

Whenever I got drift I reconnected them to the switch, and then when I disconnect they seem ok.

I hope that a pro remodel or whatever fix those issues. But currently, yeah, apparently you are not allowed to have big hand or hold the controls the way you want you. Nice marketing there, Nintendo:

blitzblake said:

I can only assume the majority of people are using their switch in handheld mode.. still can't believe Nintendo gets a pass for this. Could you imagine if Sony/Microsoft controllers had the same issues..

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The majority is actually in TV mode. TV/Handheld mixed mode comes in 2nd place. Handheld mode comes in 3rd place.

(37% to 35% to 28%)

Yup. It's bad. The joycons are wonderful devices when they work. But they are pitifully inconsistent. Inputs get locked so a certain action is repeated, sometimes presses are completely missed by the controller, every once in a while they totally disconnect and you're interrupted to re-pair. My only advice is to sit closer. I can't sit more than six feet away from my switch, and must have no obstructions in the line of sight of the joycons to switch. Kick my feet up, connection drops. Place a cup on the coffee table, connection drops. Cat jumps up near the switch, connection drops. I've grown used to it but it's still disappointing.

blitzblake said:

I can only assume the majority of people are using their switch in handheld mode.. still can't believe Nintendo gets a pass for this. Could you imagine if Sony/Microsoft controllers had the same issues..

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Have you updated your joycons? Mine works better after several updates in the past months.

Sometimes it's the Switch itself as well regarding wireless and not the joycons at all. If you keep having problems even though you got new joycons, it could be the Switch's Bluetooth chip itself.

My old launch Switch unit went bad (won't boot up, no idea why), and it had a problem with ANY right joycon. Didn't matter what joycon I used, it always had weak signal. I couldn't even have my hand in front of the joycon sometimes, it'd lose button presses.

Got a new Switch and I am using the same joycons (I switch them around with diff colors), and guess what? I can be across the freakin' room! I can have my hand and even legs in the way! I'm pretty sure the left side is improved as well.

Try replacing it OP, the issues might go away. It also could be something interfering though.

The Joy-Cons have the worst reception of any device I've ever used. I have to tell my friends all the time to lower their legs so they don't block the signal. That's inexcusable, really.

blitzblake said:

Yep they say they're the latest version update.


So I guess now what I'm tossing up is sending joy cons to Nintendo and be unable to play my new switch, for them to potentially not fix anything since it's sounding like a major design flaw that people just "deal with"?

Sometimes you just can't control your game on the switch, it's just a little Nintendo quirk and again, another example of form over function....

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The way the flap under the analogue is designed is poor. Because it moves you can get dust in there that fucks up movement. If can lift the flap and blow compressed air in it it may help? I normally lift it with a pin and just blow on it and it fixes my drift issues.

Obviously not a real solution to Nintendo's shitty design but it may help you. I've never had reception issues though I normally play pretty near my console. I have big hands as well. That one may be an actual malfunction.

Mr. Phellps said:

Before returning your joycons, have you checked for possible signal interference around the Switch? Might be a case of simply moving the console a few inches.

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This. My spare Arlo camera was completely messing up my joycons (pro controller was fine though).

I haven't played with my Switch a ton but I cant say Ive experienced these issues.

That's a shame that a controller so expensive doesn't work well.

Not saying the people posting saying they have connection issues are invalid or lying or w/e but for what it's worth my own experience has been smooth sailing from the beginning. Of like the 7-8 people I know with a Switch IRL only one had connectivity issues and they were resolved with firmware.

Now, one thing I HAVE experienced myself is the battery on the joycons being kind of rubbish. Too many Mario Party sessions interrupted by charging issues.

Maybe just a bad unit? I haven't had any issues with my joy-cons.

Probably my least favorite Nintendo controllers ever. Aside from the issues they're just really uncomfortable to hold. The trigger buttons especially feel bad to me.

MrWonderworld said:

Maybe just a bad unit? I haven't had any issues with my joy-cons.

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There are hardware flaws on the joycons like the one that causes drifting.

My launch neon right joycon wouldn't stay connected in handheld mode, which I thought was weird, because it works just fine detached. Ended up buying a pair of red joycons that are thus far not showing any problems.

My left joycon had issues and I had to send it in to be fixed. It still drifts but blowing some compressed air in it fixes it 100%. Still sucks that dust gets trapped in there and causes this issue. Otherwise I really like the joycons. Pro controller is much better though

Move your console a bit, there might be some electrical infetterence. Sometimes I feel like I've pressed a button on my Joycon and it didn't register, I just shrug it off and tell myself maybe I didn't actually press it, just to not think about the worst lol.

The entire controller situation on the Switch is a shambles.

If I have to see that bloody controller pop-up screen once more I'm gonna go mad.

My Pink & Green are really dodgy. I think I need to buy a new pair. I ripped the skirt off the stick on one of them, attempting to flip it up to spray contact cleaner into it. I don't think they'll do a return as a result.

Wow I'm surprised so many people are saying they have had issues. It might be people are more likely to comment on something when it's not working compared to when it works just fine.

Try updating your controllers and clearing anything that might interfere with your switch. I've personally never had any issues with the joycons detached from the console.

Mine tend to be pretty unreliable. Not a fan of joy-cons. The buttons and material feel super cheap and I'm constantly having to worry about signal issues. I agree that it's inexcusable especially considering the price.

Gotdatmoney said:

There are hardware flaws on the joycons like the one that causes drifting.

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Well, mine are working just fine :)

It's pretty bad how Nintendo handled their controllers this gen (and the last) - they have an innovative controller on their hands that has basic flaws - and they don't fix it.
The Pro Controller D-Pad is still somehow registering wrong inputs over a year after launch and the Joy Con situation is getting worse all the time.

For the most expensive standard controllers this gen, they sure feel like they cheaped out on the important stuff.
I don't need a camera in my controller - it's a nice to have, but the BT connection is pretty bad. The worst across all 3 systems by far.

MrWonderworld said:

Well, mine are working just fine :)

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Not saying they aren't. I'm saying that some of the problems people are experiencing are hardware flaws and not one offs.

My launch Switch had some issues, finally sent the right joy con in, has been fine since. It's lame this is apparently still a problem, but send the joy cons in. Also get a pro controller

Gotdatmoney said:

Not saying they aren't. I'm saying that some of the problems people are experiencing are hardware flaws and not one offs.

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Oh sorry, I forgot only complaining was allowed :)

I have issues with my left joycon but mostly it's signal interference. It sits close to the router and the TV.

MrWonderworld said:

Oh sorry, I forgot only complaining was allowed :)

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No. Literally you said maybe he had a bad unit. I'm saying it wasn't that the unit was bad. It's that the hardware has a flaws that cause some of these issues. This isn't complaining. It's literally just information.

Not sure why you're being snarky.

At least in my experience, the Joycons in particular are extremely sensitive to interference or getting blocked by basically anything. I've had it blocked by my legs, a thick blanket, a random part of my hand when holding it a weird way... the list goes on and on. It's a great controller when it has a clear path and is super comfortable to play but it definitely sucks that it seems to struggle in a lot of really common situations.

Just to add to the choir of voices, I returned my original Switch and then got Nintendo to look at the joy cons of the second unit because they were doing some crazy shit like not pressing buttons, directional pad going all over the place etc. on a regular basis.

They sent them back after two weeks saying they couldn't find any fault in them. I've had to clear all space around the Switch, remove the other consoles and devices from nearby and make a straight line between the console and the pad to be able to play properly - that means I can't lie down to play and I have to play with the glass door of my TV cabinet open :/

It's very disappointing particularly coming from Nintendo.

Yeah mine tend to drop inputs if I like grip them too tightly or break line-of-sight from the console. Absolute garbage wireless hardware, though I don't have complaints about their ergonomics or anything.