How to use a Nintendo Switch controller on a PC, step by step

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-12-12 18:55:14

The flexibility of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons and the ergonomic excellence of the Switch Pro Controller make them popular choices, even outside the Nintendo ecosystem. For many PC gamers, these controllers offer a unique feel—from the separate, versatile Joy-Cons to the comfortable, full-sized Pro Controller—making them ideal for a wide variety of titles, particularly platformers, local co-op games, and retro emulation.The context here is simple: expanding your PC gaming peripherals beyond the standard keyboard/mouse and Xbox/PlayStation controllers. The controllers we are focusing on are the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and the platform is your personal computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11.The "problem," or challenge, is that these controllers were designed for Nintendo's proprietary communication protocols, not Microsoft's Windows or the widely adopted XInput standard used by PC games. Consequently, Windows does not natively recognize these controllers correctly. While they connect via Bluetooth, the inputs are often scrambled, mislabeled, or simply ignored by games. To use them effectively, you need a crucial translation layer, typically provided by software like Steam or a third-party application like BetterJoy or DS4Windows (yes, it can sometimes help with Switch controllers too!).This comprehensive guide will detail the steps for connecting both the Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller wirelessly and the necessary software adjustments to make them work seamlessly for your PC gaming sessions.

Using a Switch controller on a PC

🛑 Causes of Nintendo Controller Connection Issues

Connecting Nintendo controllers to a Windows PC often involves hurdles due to their non-standard setup. Here are the most common reasons why you might experience issues:

Incompatibility with XInput: Nintendo controllers use their own input API, which is not XInput, the native standard used by 99% of PC games.
- Simple Technical Explanation: PC games look for XInput signals (A,B,X,Y layout, specific button indexing). The Switch controllers send raw, non-XInput data, which must be interpreted and remapped by software (like Steam or BetterJoy) to be usable.
Split Controller Issue (Joy-Cons): Windows recognizes each Joy-Con as two separate, individual input devices instead of one combined gamepad.
- Simple Technical Explanation: Each Joy-Con has its own Bluetooth address and transceiver. Without software to virtually "marry" them into a single controller, games receive input from two different sources, leading to confusing or conflicting controls.
PC Bluetooth Limitations: Older or generic Bluetooth adapters may struggle to maintain a stable, low-latency connection, especially with two Joy-Cons simultaneously.
- Simple Technical Explanation: Maintaining two parallel Bluetooth connections (for the left and right Joy-Cons) is demanding on the PC’s Bluetooth radio, potentially leading to connection drops or lag if the adapter is not robust.
Lack of Calibration Data: Without the proper configuration software, the controller's gyroscopic or accelerometer data is either ignored or sent as unusable raw data.
- Simple Technical Explanation: The motion sensors output high-frequency, complex data streams. The configuration software is needed to filter, calibrate, and map this data to virtual joystick or mouse movements.

⚡ Quick Solution (For Impatient Users)

The fastest and often easiest way to use the Pro Controller (and sometimes Joy-Cons) is by using a Wired Connection through the Steam client:

Plug In: Connect your Switch Pro Controller to your PC using a USB-C data cable. (This method generally doesn't work for combining Joy-Cons).
Launch Steam: Open the Steam client.
Controller Settings: Go to Steam > Settings > Controller.
Enable Support: Check the box next to "Nintendo Switch Configuration Support." This tells Steam to recognize and translate the controller's inputs.
Test: Your controller should immediately be recognized and ready for use in Steam games.

⚙️ Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions: Connecting Wirelessly

Connecting wirelessly via Bluetooth offers the best gaming experience for both controllers.

Method 1: Connecting the Switch Pro Controller via Bluetooth (Easiest)

[Image showing the Windows 11 Bluetooth & devices settings page with the Pro Controller connected]

Ensure PC Bluetooth is Ready: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices (Windows 11) or Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices (Windows 10). Ensure the Bluetooth toggle is On.
Activate Pairing Mode: Press and hold the small, round Sync Button (located on the top edge of the Pro Controller, next to the USB-C port) for about three seconds. The green LEDs at the bottom of the controller will flash back and forth.
Add Device on PC: In the PC Bluetooth settings, click Add device (or Add Bluetooth or other device).
Select Bluetooth Option: Choose the Bluetooth option from the pop-up menu.
Find and Pair: Wait for "Pro Controller" to appear in the list. Click on it to pair.
Confirm Connection: The Pro Controller LEDs will stop flashing and one or two will remain solid, indicating a successful connection.
Configure in Steam: Launch Steam and follow steps 3-4 from the Quick Solution above to ensure the controller works correctly in games.

Method 2: Connecting Joy-Cons as a Single Gamepad (Requires Software)

Since Windows sees Joy-Cons separately, third-party software is usuallynecessary to use them as one controller. We recommend using Steam or BetterJoy.

Charge and Detach: Ensure both Joy-Cons are fully charged and detached from the Switch console or grip.
Pair Left Joy-Con: Hold the Sync Button on the rail of the Left Joy-Con until the green LEDs flash. Pair it in the Windows Bluetooth settings (Steps 1-5 from Method 1).
Pair Right Joy-Con: Repeat the process, holding the Sync Button on the Right Joy-Con until the green LEDs flash, and pair it in Windows.
Verify Connection: Both "Joy-Con (L)" and "Joy-Con (R)" should now be listed as connected devices in Windows Bluetooth settings.
Open Steam: Launch Steam. Because you have enabled "Nintendo Switch Configuration Support" (as per the Quick Solution), Steam is usually able to recognize the two separate Joy-Cons and combine them into a single controller when you enter Big Picture Mode or launch a game.

🔁 Alternative Solutions (The BetterJoy Method)

If Steam is not your primary game launcher, or if you need to use the motion controls, the BetterJoy application is an excellent, free alternative. It forces Windows to see the Joy-Cons (and Pro Controller) as a single, standard Xbox 360controller (XInput).

Download and Extract: Download the latest version of BetterJoy from its GitHub repository and extract the files.
Install Drivers (Crucial Step): Run the Drivers/Install_Driver.bat file inside the downloaded folder as an administrator. This installs the necessary drivers for BetterJoy to work.
Launch BetterJoy: Run the main BetterJoy.exe file.
Pair Controllers: Follow the Bluetooth pairing steps (Method 1 & 2 above) to connect your Pro Controller or Joy-Cons to Windows.
Check BetterJoy Window: The controllers will appear in the BetterJoy window. Joy-Cons willautomatically be combined. BetterJoy is now translating the input toXInput, making it compatible with almost any PC game.

🛡️ How to Prevent Reconnection Issues

Stability and battery life are key when using third-party controllers wirelessly:

Keep Bluetooth Clean: If you frequently switch the controller between your PC and Switch console, always "Remove device" from the Windows Bluetooth settings before trying to re-pair, andensure the controller is not near the Switch when attempting to connectto the PC.
Invest in a Good Bluetooth Adapter: If you experience frequent disconnections or high latency, consider purchasing a modern, high-quality Bluetooth 5.0+ USB adapter for your PC.
Use Wired for Firmware Updates: The Pro Controller’s firmware can only be updated by connecting it tothe official Nintendo Switch console. Ensure the controller isperiodically connected to the Switch to maintain optimal compatibility.
Close Other Input Apps: Never run Steam's Controller Configuration and BetterJoy at the same time. This will lead to double input, mapping conflicts, and instability.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are the A and B buttons swapped in games?A: This is normal! Nintendo controllers use a different buttonlayout convention than Xbox (XInput). The A button on the Switch isphysically where the B button is on an Xbox controller. Steam or BetterJoy will usually ask if you want to swap the A/B and X/Y buttons to match the standard PC (Xbox) layout.

Q: Does the Pro Controller or Joy-Cons rumble/vibrate on PC?A: Yes, but it depends on the software. Steam and BetterJoy support basic rumble functions, although the advanced HD Rumble feature is generally not fully replicated on PC.

Q: Can I use the motion controls (gyro) on PC?A: Yes, the gyro and accelerometer inputs are supported by BetterJoy and can be mapped to virtual mouse movements or joystick inputs, whichis fantastic for aiming in shooters or controlling cameras in certaingames.

Q: Why do my Joy-Cons always disconnect after a few minutes?A: This is often due to an aggressive Windows power saving setting on the Bluetooth radio. Go to Device Manager > Bluetooth > find your adapter > Properties > Power Management tab, and uncheck the box that says "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

✅ Enhance Your PC Gaming with Nintendo Comfort!

Whether you prefer the versatile dual-wielding of the Joy-Cons or the familiar, sturdy grip of the Pro Controller, integrating your Nintendo Switchgamepad into your PC setup is completely achievable. By leveraging thepower of Steam's configuration tool or the dedicated translation ofBetterJoy, you can enjoy a wide array of PC games with your preferredcontroller.

Stop struggling with keyboard layouts! Follow these steps and elevate your PC gaming experience today!

Mode:

▶