Alex Ruben
How To Charge Joy-Con Controllers on Nintendo Switch 2
Charging your Joy-Con controllers is kinda crucial if you want to avoid those annoying moments when you’re mid-game and the controllers die on you. Sometimes the usual way works fine, but other times you’ll find yourself scratching your head wondering why they’re not charging. This guide should help you hit the basics and troubleshoot some common hiccups. Basically, after following these, your controllers should stay powered up and ready for action—no more interruptions.
How to Charge Joy-Con Controllers on Nintendo Switch 2
Charge via the Nintendo Switch Console
This is hands-down the easiest method. Basically, just attach the controllers directly onto the Switch and they’ll start charging. Why it helps? It’s straightforward, no extra gear needed, and the controllers get charged automatically when connected. Always good to check if the controllers are actually attaching properly. On some machines, on that first try, it’s kinda weird—like they don’t click into place, but if you push a bit more, they’ll click. Once attached, expect the battery icon to show charging. When you disconnect, they’ll keep charged for a decent amount of time, hopefully.
- Make sure your Nintendo Switch is either powered on or plugged into a power outlet.
- Locate the Joy-Con controllers. The blue one goes on the left, the orange or gray on the right.
- Slide each controller down into their respective sides. They should click in place and the battery icon on the Switch should show a charging indicator next to them.
Pro tip: Sometimes, reattaching a few times or giving the controllers a slight nudge helps if they don’t seem to be charging initially. Because of course, Nintendo has to make it harder than it needs to.
Check Battery Levels to Confirm Charging
This is useful to see if it’s actually charging or if something’s off. A quick way to peek at remaining juice.
- Go to the Controllers icon via the bottom menu when in the Home menu.
- Look at the battery icons next to each Joy-Con. If you see a lightning bolt or charging symbol, they’re on their way. If not, try reconnecting or see troubleshooting tips below.
Charge Using a Dedicated Dock (if you’ve got one)
This is kinda of a no-brainer if you want something more organized, especially for charging multiple controllers at once. Plus, it makes your setup look a little neater. Here’s what to do—just make sure the dock is compatible.
- Put the dock on a stable surface near a power outlet. Make sure it’s plugged in and turned on if needed.
- Align the Switch at the bottom of the dock. Most docks have a USB-C port—plug that into the Switch, then connect the included USB-C cable to the power brick.
- Drop the console into the dock, making sure the port at the bottom lines up. Some docks are tighter than others, so it might take a bit of patience.
This way, the controllers charge in the dock and you can leave everything in one tidy spot. Works well, but make sure no debris or dust blocks the connection, or it might not charge properly.
Troubleshooting Charging Problems
If your controllers aren’t charging, here’s where to start. Trust me, it’s mostly checking if they’re attached correctly and if the power’s there.
- Verify that the Joy-Cons are firmly attached or seated into the dock properly. Sometimes, a slight misalignment means no charge.
- Ensure the outlet or power source is working — try plugging in your charger into another socket if you’re using a dock or USB-C cable.
- Inspect the USB-C cable and port for dust, dirt, or damage. Because, again, Nintendo likes making things complicated.
- On some controllers, resetting might help. Hold down the Sync button located between the L and R buttons for a few seconds to reset the connection.
One thing to keep in mind — on some setups, a restart of the console or reconnecting the controllers can help kickstart charging again. Works sometimes, not always, but worth a shot.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If you want your controllers to give you fewer headaches, keep them updated through the Settings > System > System Update. Firmware updates often fix charging bugs and improve battery life. Also, consider getting a charging grip—those are kinda handy and allow charging while you play. If your controllers aren’t holding a charge—meaning they drain faster than they should—you might need to recalibrate or replace them. Those batteries aren’t immortal, after all.
Final Thoughts — Keep Those Controllers Alive
Charging your Joy-Con controllers on the Switch 2 isn’t rocket science, but it’s not always straightforward either. Usually, a good attachment or a quick check of your cables fixes most issues. On rare occasions, you might need a firmware update or replacement. So just keep those controllers cleaned, updated, and connected properly—everything should be smooth sailing.
Summary
- Attach controllers securely to the Switch or dock
- Check battery levels under the Controller menu
- Ensure the dock and cables are working and plugged in
- Reset controllers if they’re unresponsive
- Update firmware regularly
Wrap-up
Hopefully this saves someone a bunch of time trying to figure out why the controllers randomly die or won’t charge. Most of the time, it’s something simple like a loose connection or a bad cable. If these tips don’t do the trick, checking for firmware updates or swapping out hardware might be next. Fingers crossed this helps—and happy gaming!