I have a drift problem with my Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers. How can I fix it?

The Joy-Con drift problem is one of the most common issues for Nintendo Switch owners. It shows up as your character or cursor moving on its own, even when you’re not touching the sticks.

Main causes:

Wear or dirt in the potentiometer of the analog stick.

Dust, moisture, or tiny particles getting under the stick cap.

A factory design flaw, acknowledged as widespread.

What you can do:

Stick calibration: On your Switch, go to Settings → Controllers and Sensors → Calibrate Control Sticks. Sometimes this helps.

Cleaning: Gently lift the rubber seal and apply a little isopropyl alcohol or a special contact cleaner.

Reset Bluetooth settings and reconnect the controller to the console.

If the problem persists, replace the stick. You can do this yourself (repair kits are sold) or through a service center.

Important: Nintendo has officially acknowledged the drift problem and in some countries repairs Joy-Con controllers for free, even outside of warranty.