To turn on a Nintendo Switch wireless controller, open the HOME Menu, select Controllers, then choose Change Grip/Order. When the pairing screen appears, hold the controller’s SYNC Button until the screen shows Paired, confirming the connection.
How to turn on a Nintendo Switch wireless controller
Pairing a wireless controller with your Nintendo Switch is a straightforward process that works for both Joy-Con and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Follow these steps from the console’s HOME Menu:
- Open the Controllers menu on the HOME Menu.
- Select Change Grip/Order.
- When Paired appears on the screen, the pairing is complete.
- For Joy-Con, after pairing, follow the on-screen grip prompt: press L and R for vertical grip or SL and SR for horizontal grip, then press A to finish.
If you are using a Nintendo Switch Lite, you must pair Joy-Con controllers wirelessly using the same steps above, as the Lite does not have detachable controllers.
Troubleshooting when the controller won’t pair
If the controller does not connect, return to Controllers → Change Grip/Order and try holding the SYNC Button again until Paired appears. Each Joy-Con can only be paired to one console at a time, so ensure the controller is not already connected to another Switch. The console supports up to 8 wireless controllers at once, so check that you have not exceeded this limit.
Additional tips for using Nintendo Switch wireless controllers
Nintendo documents a maximum of 8 wireless controllers connected at the same time. The supported wireless gaming controllers are the Joy-Con and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on the wireless controller on my Nintendo Switch?
Open Controllers → Change Grip/Order on the HOME Menu, then hold the controller’s SYNC Button until the console shows Paired.
Can I connect multiple wireless controllers to my Nintendo Switch?
Yes. Nintendo documents support for up to 8 wireless controllers at the same time.
Is there a specific wireless controller I need to use with the Nintendo Switch?
Nintendo’s support pages document Joy-Con and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller as supported wireless controllers.
