Lorene Melone
How To Connect a Nintendo Switch Pro 2 Controller to an Older Nintendo Switch Model
Getting that Pro 2 controller to work with your Switch can be a bit finicky sometimes. Especially if it’s your first time or if it suddenly stops pairing, it’s maddening. Usually, it’s a simple process, but sometimes, it just doesn’t recognize the controller right away or keeps dropping out. The goal here is to make that connection rock-solid so you can get back to gaming without fuss. Whether you’re using it wired or Bluetooth, these steps cover the common hiccups and how to fix them. And yes, your Pro 2 controller should work smoothly, as long as it’s in pairing mode and charged. Just a heads-up, on some setups, you might need to restart the console or re-pair a few times before it sticks. Because naturally, Nintendo has to make connecting a little more complicated than it needs to be.
How to Connect Your Nintendo Switch Pro 2 Controller to the Console
Access the Controller Pairing Menu
Kick things off by turning on your Switch and going straight to System Settings (that gear icon at the bottom). Scroll down to Controllers and Sensors. From there, pick Change Grip/Order. This puts your Switch in pairing mode, waiting for new controllers to connect.
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to troubleshoot further later, the exact menu path is Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Change Grip/Order.
This step is crucial — it’s the gateway for your controller to get recognized by the system.
Put the Pro 2 into Pairing Mode
Make sure your Pro 2 controller has some juice. Turn it on by pressing the power button. Now, to get it into pairing mode, press and hold the sync button on the top of the controller (that tiny button near the L and R shoulder buttons). Keep holding until the LED indicators start flashing — usually a few seconds. If the lights flicker or blink, it’s in pairing mode, waiting for your Switch to pick it up.
Fun fact: the sync button is tiny, so you might need a paperclip or something similarly slender to press it if your finger can’t do the job.
Connect the Controller to Your Switch
With the Pro 2 in pairing mode, switch back to your Nintendo Switch. The system will start searching for nearby Bluetooth devices, so give it a second. When your controller shows up on screen, select it by pressing any button (usually the A button). It should connect pretty quickly. Not sure why, but sometimes you’ll need to press the button a couple of times or try turning it off and on again — tech magic for the frustrated.
Once connected, the controller icon will appear on the corner of the screen, confirming it’s paired. After that, you can use it to navigate menus and start gaming.
Verify and Troubleshoot the Connection
If the connection doesn’t stick, or the controller keeps dropping, try a few things: make sure the controller is fully charged; sometimes, a drained battery interrupts pairing. Also, restart your Switch—turn it off completely and then back on. If it still acts up, try unpairing and repairing it (hold the sync button longer or repeat the pairing process). On some occasions, connecting via a wired USB-C cable to the dock can help reset the pairing and make the wireless connection work better afterward.
And of course, keep the firmware of the controller and the Switch updated — old software can cause hiccups. For updates, go to System Settings > System > System Update.
Extra Tips & Common Troubleshooting
- If nothing shows up on the pairing list, double-check if the controller’s firmware is up to date. You can update via a USB connection to a PC following official instructions or try replacing the batteries if it’s an older device.
- Sometimes, Bluetooth interference from other devices can cause issues. Move away from Wi-Fi routers or other Bluetooth gadgets nearby.
- On some rare occasions, removing the controller from the paired devices list in System Settings > Controllers and Sensors and re-pairing fixed the issue.
Wrap-up
Getting the Pro 2 controller linked up is usually straightforward once you get the hang of the sync button and menus. Not everyone’s setup is the same, so if one method doesn’t work immediately, don’t get discouraged. Repeating the pairing process or restarting the Switch often does the trick. It might feel like a hassle, but once it’s connected, the gameplay is so much better than the normal joy-cons, especially for longer gaming sessions.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours of trial and error for someone. Good luck, and happy gaming!
Summary
- Make sure the controller has power and is in pairing mode (LED flashing).
- Navigate to Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Change Grip/Order.
- Hold the sync button on the controller until lights flash.
- Wait for your Switch to recognize the controller, then select it on screen.
- Ensure firmware is updated, and try wired connection if wireless fails.