Joy-Con Drift: How to Fix It (With and Without Opening)
Fix drifting Nintendo Switch Joy-Con sticks, from calibration to stick replacement.
Confirm the drift
Use our Stick Drift Test with the Joy-Con connected via Bluetooth. A resting value above 0.1 confirms drift.
Recalibrate
On the Switch: System Settings → Controllers and Sensors → Calibrate Control Sticks. Follow the on-screen steps for the drifting stick.
Clean with contact cleaner
Lift the rubber skirt at the base of the stick and spray a small amount of electrical contact cleaner inside. Move the stick in circles for 30 seconds and let it dry.
Replace the stick module
Joy-Con stick replacements are inexpensive and need only a tri-wing screwdriver. It is a 15-minute repair and the most reliable permanent fix.
Nintendo free repair
In many regions Nintendo repairs drifting Joy-Cons for free, even out of warranty. Check Nintendo's support site for your country.