How to Fix Stuck Joy-Cons on Nintendo Switch

There are four essential parts of the Nintendo Switch experience, and two of them are the unorthodox Joy-Con controllers. Joy-Cons contain many of the things that make Nintendo Switch unique. It is Joy-Cons that attach to the rails on the left and right side of the console to create the Handheld Mode. It is Joy-Cons with HD Rumble technology, Amiibo sensor and technology that enables motion games. To get the most out of them platoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe You will need to know how to fix Joy-Cons stuck on your Nintendo Switch.

Every Nintendo Switch comes with a set of Joy-Cons in the box. It is the Joy-Cons that when paired with the Joy-Con Grip and Joy-Con Charging Holder make up the only wireless controller. You’ll run into trouble if you plug the wrong Joy-Con into the wrong rail on the system. This isn’t exclusive to the system itself either, turning your Joy-Con Strap in the wrong direction before it slides on the Joy-Con’s rails can also be disastrous.

Here’s how to fix Joy-Cons stuck on your Nintendo Switch

Fixing Stuck Joy-Cons on Nintendo Switch: Joy-Con Straps

You’re most likely to find yourself with jammed Joy-Cons thanks to the Joy-Con Straps. That makes sense, Nintendo encourages gamers to use the Joy-Con Straps while enjoying the action games the console has to offer. They’re also useful for multiplayer games where you’ll have to split the Joy-Cons between two people. Joy-Con Straps add much-needed haptic feedback to buttons on the edge of controllers.

Stuck Joy-Cons are the result of the Joy-Con Strap turning the wrong way when you slide the Joy-Cons rail in. That’s why you should always be careful when wearing them. Make sure to match the crosshair of the Joy-Con Strap with the crosshair on the Joy-Con Controller. The same goes for the minus strap on the left Joy-Con Controller.

To fix stuck Joy-Cons, you have to force them. Start by making sure the lock on the bottom of the Joy-Con Strap is not activated. Now use your thumbs to pull the Joy-Con Strap up along the rail and off your controller. If you somehow managed to attach the Joy-Con Strap to your controller upside down, simply lift the Joy-Con Strap up along the rail with all your strength.

You’ll feel like you’re about to break the controller, but the Joy-Con Strap should eventually release the controller. That’s why it’s really important to make sure you’re wearing the Joy-Con Straps correctly the first time around.

Fixing Joy-Cons Stuck on Nintendo Switch: On Switch

Joy-Cons should never be worn while pairing with the console itself. It’s hard to misplace them. + Joy-Con is always on the right and – Joy-Con is always on the left. The only way to mix them up is to get them on the wrong track.

You can still feel like you’re wearing the Joy-Cons when pairing them with the console, though. That’s because it’s easy to forget the circular release buttons on the back of each Joy-Con. You have to hold the release button while you derail the Joy-Con on the Nintendo Switch. Do not release the button until the controller is completely independent of the console.

Fixing Stuck Joy-Cons on Nintendo Switch: Joy-Con Grip

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Grip won’t let you put Joy-Cons the wrong way. There is so much friction when sliding them wrong that you should instantly notice something is wrong.

Simply press and hold the release buttons on the back of each Joy-Con Controller to remove them from the Joy-Con Grip when pointed in the right direction. It should unlock, then you can immediately start pulling the Joy-Con and free it from the Joy-Con Grip.

Note that the Joy-Con Charge Grip works the same as the regular Grip.

Good luck trying to fix the stuck Joy-Cons. You should not find yourself in a situation that prevents them from freeing them. Nintendo designed them to let you troubleshoot them yourself. If you end up with Joy-Cons permanently stuck, there really isn’t much you can do.

This Nintendo Support the site notes that it will fix stuck Joy-Cons. If your Joy-Cons attach to the console itself, you must ship your console. If they get stuck in a Grip, you have to send that Grip. Call Nintendo support any day of the week at 1-855-615-722 between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM PST to get started.