Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Buttons Are Not Responding or Respond Incorrectly
Steps for when the buttons on a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller are not working correctly when pressed.
Before you start
You will need:
Your Nintendo Switch 2 console
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
If you have changed the button mapping on your Pro Controller, reset the button configuration to the standard inputs before troubleshooting.
How to reset button configuration to default settings
Set the system to sleep mode by pressing the POWER Button once.
Wake the console back up from sleep mode by pressing the POWER Button or the HOME Button.
Select Reset the Button Mapping when the “The Connected Controller's Button Mapping Changed” message is displayed.
Not sure if button configuration has been changed before
A wrench icon is displayed beside the controller in-use at the bottom-left corner of the system screen when custom button mapping is active.
If you don’t know or remember the custom configuration for your controller, you can set the system to sleep mode. Upon waking up the system, you’ll have the option to reset the button mapping.
What to do
Ensure your console has the latest system update.
How to perform a system update on Nintendo Switch 2
Select the System Settings on the HOME Menu.
Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select System.
Select System Update, to start the system update process.
During the process, the system will first perform a check to determine if a new system update is available.
If an update is available, the download process will begin automatically.
Make sure the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is paired to your console.
How to check that a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is paired
While on the HOME Menu, press any button on the Pro Controller.
If one or more player LEDs on the controller blink and remain lit, it is paired to the console.
If the player LEDs momentarily light up in a sequence then shut off, pair the Pro Controller to the console.
If none of the player LEDs light up, the Pro Controller is out of power and will need to be recharged.
How to pair a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller to Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller can be paired to the Nintendo Switch 2 console in the following ways:
USB Connection Pairing (Directly to Nintendo Switch 2)
Power on the console.
Connect the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller to the Nintendo Switch 2 using the included USB-C cable.
USB Connection Pairing (Docked)
Place the Nintendo Switch 2 console in the dock.
Power on the console.
Connect the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller to the Nintendo Switch 2 dock using the included USB-C cable.
Button pairing or wireless pairing
From the HOME Menu, select Controllers.
Select Change Grip/Order.
From the Change Grip/Order screen, press and hold down the SYNC Button for at least one second on the controller you wish to pair.
Once paired, the player LED(s) corresponding to the controller number will remain lit.
For more information, follow How to Pair the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller to Nintendo Switch 2.
Update the Pro Controller firmware.
How to update controller firmware on Nintendo Switch 2
Ensure your console has the latest system update installed.
Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
Scroll down to Controllers & Accessories.
In the Controllers & Accessories options, scroll down and select Update Controllers to begin updating any controllers that are powered on and paired with the console.
If multiple controllers are paired to the console, the controllers will be updated one controller at a time.
If the update stops before it can be completed, try this step again.
For more information, follow How to Update Controller Firmware on Nintendo Switch 2.
Reset the Pro Controller by pressing the SYNC Button once, then press any other button to wake it up.
Test the button input on the Pro Controller.
How to test the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller buttons
From the HOME Menu select System Settings, then scroll down the menu on the left-hand side and select Controllers & Accessories.
Select Test Input Devices, then Test Controller Buttons.
Press the button or control stick on the controller you wish to test.
In addition to allowing for analog input, the control sticks can also function as buttons for compatible software.
An icon for the button or control stick that was pressed will be displayed on the screen.
Note that the HOME Button, Capture Button, C Button, POWER Button, volume buttons, and SYNC Button aren't included in this test and will not appear in the list of icons.
Press and hold down any button or control stick to end the test.
For more information, follow How to Test the Controller Buttons on Nintendo Switch 2.
Test the buttons using a compatible game or application.
Buttons are not responding with a single game
Check the software manual or game packaging to ensure compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
Decrease the distance between the Pro Controller and the console.
Minimize wireless interference.
Ensure that the console is not placed behind a TV, under a metal object, or within three to four feet of other wireless devices, such as wireless speakers, cordless phones, etc.
Test the Pro Controller buttons with a different compatible game or software.
If possible, test the Pro Controller on a different console.
Continue using the Pro Controller for a few weeks to see if it affects your gameplay.
Situation not resolved
If the button test fails, or if the issue becomes so severe that it impacts your ability to play a game or use the controller, then we are happy to inspect the Pro Controller, and repair or replace it if necessary.