Connect Nintendo Switch Controller Via USB: A Quick Guide

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Connect Nintendo Switch Controller via USB: A Quick Guide

Hey everyone! Want to know how to connect Nintendo Switch controller via USB? You've come to the right place. Whether you're looking to play your favorite PC games with a familiar controller or simply want to charge your Joy-Cons, connecting your Nintendo Switch controller via USB is a straightforward process. Let's dive into the details and get you gaming in no time!

Why Connect Your Nintendo Switch Controller via USB?

Before we get started, let's talk about why you might want to connect your Nintendo Switch controller to your PC using a USB cable. There are several compelling reasons:

  • Enhanced Gaming Experience: Many gamers find that using a controller provides a more intuitive and comfortable gaming experience compared to a keyboard and mouse, especially for certain types of games like platformers, racing games, and fighting games. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, in particular, is known for its ergonomic design and responsive buttons, making it a great choice for PC gaming.
  • Wider Game Compatibility: While some PC games are designed with keyboard and mouse controls in mind, many others offer full controller support. By connecting your Nintendo Switch controller, you can seamlessly play these games without having to reconfigure the controls or rely on third-party software.
  • Familiarity and Comfort: If you're already accustomed to using the Nintendo Switch controller for gaming on your console, using it on your PC can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort. This can be especially helpful if you're new to PC gaming or if you simply prefer the feel of the Switch controller.
  • Charging Your Controller: Connecting your Nintendo Switch controller to your PC via USB is also a convenient way to charge it. This can be useful if you don't have access to a Nintendo Switch console or a dedicated charging dock.

Connecting Your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller via USB

Connecting your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to your PC via USB is super easy. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Gather Your Supplies: You'll need your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, a USB-A to USB-C cable (the one that comes with the Pro Controller works perfectly), and your Windows PC.
  2. Plug It In: Simply plug the USB-C end of the cable into the Pro Controller and the USB-A end into an available USB port on your PC.
  3. Automatic Detection: In most cases, Windows will automatically detect the Pro Controller and install the necessary drivers. You might see a notification in the bottom right corner of your screen indicating that a new device has been recognized and set up.
  4. Verify Connection: To ensure that the controller is properly connected, go to your PC's Device Manager (you can search for it in the Windows search bar). Look for "Human Interface Devices" and expand the section. You should see "Pro Controller" listed there. If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to it, it means there's a driver issue. In that case, try updating the drivers manually by right-clicking on the device and selecting "Update driver."

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

  • Controller Not Recognized: If your PC doesn’t recognize the controller, try a different USB port. Sometimes, certain USB ports might not provide enough power or have compatibility issues. Also, make sure the USB cable is properly connected to both the controller and the PC.
  • Driver Problems: If you see a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager, it indicates a driver issue. Right-click on the Pro Controller in Device Manager and select "Update driver." Choose the option to search automatically for updated drivers. If that doesn’t work, you can try downloading the drivers manually from the Nintendo website or a trusted third-party source.
  • Steam Interference: Steam can sometimes interfere with controller recognition. Try restarting Steam or disabling Steam Input for the Pro Controller. To do this, right-click on the game in your Steam library, go to "Properties," then "Controller," and select "Disable Steam Input."

Connecting Your Joy-Cons via USB

Connecting your Joy-Cons to your PC via USB is a bit different than connecting the Pro Controller. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Individual Connection: Each Joy-Con needs to be connected individually. This means you'll need two USB ports if you want to use both Joy-Cons at the same time.
  2. Driver Installation: Similar to the Pro Controller, Windows should automatically detect the Joy-Cons and install the necessary drivers. However, you might need to install additional software to configure them properly for gaming.
  3. Using Joy-Cons as a Single Controller: To use both Joy-Cons as a single controller, you'll need to use third-party software like BetterJoy. This software allows you to emulate a standard Xbox 360 controller, which is widely supported by PC games.

Using BetterJoy for Joy-Cons

BetterJoy is a popular tool that allows you to use your Joy-Cons as a standard Xbox 360 controller on your PC. Here's how to set it up:

  1. Download and Install BetterJoy: Go to the BetterJoy GitHub page and download the latest version of the software. Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a folder on your PC.
  2. Install Drivers: Run the "BetterJoyForCemu.exe" file as administrator. Click on the "Driver Install" button to install the necessary drivers.
  3. Connect Your Joy-Cons: Connect your Joy-Cons to your PC via USB. BetterJoy should automatically detect them.
  4. Emulate Xbox 360 Controller: BetterJoy will emulate an Xbox 360 controller for each Joy-Con. You can now use your Joy-Cons to play games that support Xbox 360 controllers.

Alternatives to BetterJoy

If BetterJoy doesn't work for you, there are a few other alternatives you can try:

  • JoyToKey: JoyToKey is a keymapping software that allows you to map the buttons on your Joy-Cons to keyboard keys and mouse actions. This can be useful for games that don't have native controller support.
  • reWASD: reWASD is a powerful controller remapping tool that allows you to customize your controller mappings and create custom profiles for different games. It supports a wide range of controllers, including the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons.

Using Your Nintendo Switch Controller with Steam

Steam has built-in support for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and Joy-Cons. This makes it easy to use your Switch controller with Steam games. Here's how to set it up:

  1. Connect Your Controller: Connect your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller or Joy-Cons to your PC via USB.
  2. Enable Controller Support in Steam: Open Steam and go to "Steam" > "Settings" > "Controller" > "General Controller Settings."
  3. Select Your Controller Type: Check the box next to "Nintendo Switch Configuration Support." This will enable Steam to recognize your Switch controller.
  4. Configure Your Controller: You can now configure your controller mappings in Steam. Click on "Nintendo Switch Configuration Support" again to access the controller configuration settings. You can customize the button mappings, stick sensitivity, and other settings.

Benefits of Using Steam's Controller Support

Using Steam's built-in controller support offers several benefits:

  • Seamless Integration: Steam automatically detects and configures your Nintendo Switch controller, making it easy to get started.
  • Customization Options: Steam allows you to customize your controller mappings and create custom profiles for different games.
  • Steam Input API: Steam uses its own input API, which provides a consistent and reliable controller experience across different games.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, folks! Connecting your Nintendo Switch controller via USB to your PC is pretty straightforward. Whether you're using the Pro Controller or Joy-Cons, you can enjoy a more immersive gaming experience on your PC. Just remember to troubleshoot any connection issues and explore different software options to find what works best for you. Happy gaming!

By following this guide, you should be able to easily connect your Nintendo Switch controller to your PC and start playing your favorite games. Remember to experiment with different settings and software options to find what works best for you. With a little bit of effort, you can enjoy a seamless and immersive gaming experience on your PC with your Nintendo Switch controller.