Nintendo Switch: Connect the controller - how it works

To be able to play on your Nintendo Switch, you first have to connect your controllers - at least if you connect the console to a television or monitor. In handheld mode, on the other hand, you simply plug the Joy-Cons into the side of the device.

How to connect the controllers to the Nintendo Switch

If you have connected the Nintendo Switch to a monitor, you can use the controllers wirelessly. For this to work properly, you need to connect it to the console.

1. There are different game modes for using the controller. Take both Joy-Cons, use the Joy-Con holder or take the Pro Controller at hand. First, always make sure that the controllers are loaded.
2. Turn on the switch. In most cases, the console recognizes the controller immediately.
3. If this is not the case, remove the handheld from the holder and tap on the controller menu on the home screen. You can put the switch back into the holder that connects it to the monitor.
4. Now follow the instructions on the screen. Press and hold the shoulder buttons on the controller. If you want to connect two controllers to the switch, do so only for the first player.
5. Once the controller is found, it vibrates and is displayed on the screen.
6. Now you can connect a second controller if you wish.
7. If you have problems connecting the controller to the switch, connect the Joy-Cons to the handheld while it is in the holder. This will synchronize the controllers.
8. Another option to quickly connect controllers to the Nintendo Switch is to use a USB C cable. Connect this to the holder, insert the Nintendo Switch and now connect your controller with the USB C cable. Shortly afterwards, the console recognizes it and you can start playing.

Interesting facts about the controllers of the switch

We have attached some interesting facts about the controllers of the Nintendo Switch.

• As soon as you have connected a controller, the battery status is shown on the controller screen. You can see it as a battery symbol under the controller symbol.
• You will see a bar with four squares above the controller symbol. In green it is marked which controller is player 1, 2, 3 and 4.
• You charge the controller either by charging station, cable or simply by attaching it to the handheld and connecting it to power using the power cord.

Unsatisfied with the Pro Controller? In the next tip, we will introduce you to the three best alternatives.