How to calibrate Switch controller sticks
The Switch and the Switch 2 both have a built-in stick calibration. It works for Joy-Con, Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controllers.
Update the console and controller
On the HOME Menu, open System Settings → System → System Update. Nintendo also recommends installing the latest controller firmware and removing any skins or covers from the controller before you calibrate.
Open the calibration
Switch: HOME Menu → System Settings → Controllers and Sensors → Calibrate Control Sticks (Nintendo’s guide). Switch 2: HOME Menu → System Settings → Controllers & Accessories → Calibrate Control Sticks (Nintendo’s guide).
Calibrate the stick
On the controller you want to calibrate, fully tilt the stick in any one direction for a few seconds. Then follow the on-screen prompts to check that it works.
If nothing seems to change
Put the console to sleep and wake it with the POWER Button. You can also press the controller’s SYNC Button once, then any other button to turn it back on.
Check for remapped buttons
A wrench icon next to the controller at the bottom-left of the menus means its inputs have been remapped, which can make a stick seem faulty. Put the console to sleep and wake it to get the option to reset the controller inputs.
Measure the result
For a number you can compare over time, connect the controller to a computer and run the Switch Pro Controller drift test or the main stick drift test. Joy-Con show up in most browsers as separate devices with one stick each.
If calibration doesn’t fix it
If a stick can’t be calibrated or still responds incorrectly afterwards, Nintendo says the controller needs servicing – send in only the controller, not the console. In the EEA, UK and Switzerland, Nintendo repairs original Joy-Con stick problems free of charge until further notice; see is stick drift covered by warranty? for the details. Cleaning and other fixes are in how to fix stick drift.
Switch calibration FAQ
How do I calibrate Joy-Con on the Switch 2?
On the HOME Menu open System Settings → Controllers & Accessories → Calibrate Control Sticks, fully tilt the stick in one direction for a few seconds, and follow the on-screen prompts.
Where is stick calibration on the original Switch?
On the HOME Menu open System Settings → Controllers and Sensors → Calibrate Control Sticks.
Can you calibrate a Switch Pro Controller?
Yes. Calibrate Control Sticks works for the Pro Controller on the Switch and for the Switch 2 Pro Controller on the Switch 2.
Why didn’t calibration fix my Joy-Con drift?
Calibration tells the system where the centre is. If the stick is worn or dirty, its resting reading keeps shifting and the drift comes back. In that case Nintendo recommends a repair.
Does Nintendo repair Joy-Con drift for free?
In the EEA, UK and Switzerland, Nintendo says it repairs Joy-Con stick problems at no charge until further notice, even after the warranty. Elsewhere, check Nintendo support for your region.