Emily Bennett
How To Connect a Nintendo Switch Joy-Con to a Different Console
If you’ve ever tried pairing a Joy-Con with a different Switch, you probably know it’s not as straightforward as it sounds. Sometimes, the connection just refuses to pick up, or the Joy-Con gets stuck in pairing mode and won’t connect at all. That frustration is real. But honestly, with a bit of fiddling, most of the time you can get it sorted without breaking a sweat. This walkthrough covers the common methods used to link Joy-Cons to a new device, especially if things aren’t working smoothly. After going through this, you should be able to jump into multiplayer gaming or just swap controllers without headaches.
How to Connect a Joy-Con to a Different Switch in a Few Steps
Method 1: Using the Change Grip/Order Option
This is the typical way people try first, and it’s usually enough for most situations. To make it work, your Joy-Con needs to be in pairing mode, and the Switch has to be ready to accept a new controller. Doing it this way helps reset the connection, especially if the Joy-Con was previously paired with another console or device. The main reason this helps is that it forces the Switch to scan for a new controller, which can sometimes fail if they’re just stuck or still paired elsewhere.
- Turn on your Nintendo Switch and go to the Home menu.
- Access the Controllers menu by clicking the little Joy-Con icon at the bottom or navigation bar.
- Now select Change Grip/Order — it’s usually the first option. This kicks the controller pairing mode into gear.
- Make sure your Joy-Con is charged and within reasonable distance (note: Bluetooth limited range). On some consoles, it helps to disconnect any other controllers first, so nothing gets confused.
- Press and hold the Sync button on the top of your Joy-Con — that little circular button near the bumper. Keep holding it until the LEDs start flashing. This signals the Joy-Con is trying to pair.
- The Switch should notice the Joy-Con and show a prompt. You might have to press the L and R buttons simultaneously on the Joy-Con to finalize pairing. When it registers, the lights will stabilize, and it should work. Sometimes, on one setup it worked immediately, on another, had to restart the process a few times — classic Nintendo quirks.
Method 2: Resetting the Joy-Con
If the pairing stubbornly refuses to happen, resetting the Joy-Con can clear out any latch onto old profiles or glitches. This method is helpful if the controller is acting weird or not responding in pairing mode at all. It’s not too complicated, just a bit fiddly.
- Locate the tiny Reset button on the back of the Joy-Con (near the rail). You’ll need a small paperclip or something similar to press it.
- Press and hold the button for about 10 seconds. Your Joy-Con will turn off and reset its internal pairing info.
- Now, put it back into pairing mode by holding the Sync button again. Follow the previous method to get it paired with the new Switch.
This resets the internal Bluetooth profile, which, on some machines, fixes connectivity issues. Not sure why it works, but it does in some cases. On one setup, this fixed it immediately, on another, I had to re-pair multiple times.
Option 3: Double-Check System Updates and Settings
Because of course, Nintendo has to make these things more complicated than necessary. Make sure your Switch’s firmware is up to date. Sometimes, outdated firmware causes Bluetooth pairing issues.
- Go to Settings > System > System Update
- If an update is available, download and install it. After reboot, try the pairing again.
Also verify that no other controllers are connected — sometimes, if a controller is already linked or “remembered,” it can interfere with new pairings. Disconnect any extra controllers under Controllers and Sensors.
What to Expect When It Works
Once paired, the LEDs on the Joy-Con will stabilize and the Switch will recognize it as a controller. You should be able to assign it to a player or start a game immediately. If it’s still not showing up or acting funky, a reboot of the console might clear the cache or reset Bluetooth connections.
Frequently Encountered Problems & Quick Fixes
- Joy-Con doesn’t turn on Bluetooth: try to turn the Bluetooth off, then on again in system settings, or restart the console entirely.
- It pairs but disconnects randomly: check for interference (Wi-Fi, other Bluetooth devices), or swap out batteries if the controller is old.
- Multiple Joy-Cons won’t connect simultaneously: try pairing one at a time, and ensure your console isn’t already maxed out at 8 controllers.
While these steps sound straightforward, there’s always some amount of trial and error involved — especially when controllers behave unpredictably. Often, shutting everything down, unplugging, and starting fresh helps to clear ghost connections.
Wrap-up
Connecting a Joy-Con to a different Switch isn’t always smooth sailing, but most of the time, a quick re-pair or reset fixes it. The key is making sure the Joy-Con is in pairing mode and the console is ready for a new connection. Keep in mind, sometimes the controllers get a bit stubborn, and a second try or a restart is needed. Just a part of Nintendo’s charm. Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone.
Summary
- Use Change Grip/Order in the controllers menu to initiate pairing.
- Press and hold the Sync button on the Joy-Con until LEDs flash.
- If needed, reset the Joy-Con with a paperclip and try again.
- Check for system updates and disconnect other controllers if pairing issues persist.