Help updating 3rd party joycons 2

[Necron]

Some time ago I got a deal on a switch 2 screen, but it came without joycons. I went to aliexpress and got a cheap pair for $40, everything worked really well, including hd rumble (really, those joycons look 99% genuine).

Everything was well and all until I updated to firmware 22.0.0 to get the undocked switch 1 game performance. After the update, it asked me to update the joycons, but after I try the switch says I lost connection with the joycon and when I reattach them, a white effect is seen instead of the color one. I can use most of the buttons, except the analogue sticks and they stopped working on their own, so they just work attached to the switch 2. I can't seem to connect them through bluetooth to any other devices as well.

I went to the seller's page and found a manual that says I can update the joycons connecting them to a pc (somehow?) and running a software, but the seller doesn't really know of anything else. At this point I'm kinda lost.

So my question is, has anyone experienced something similar that could help me update these? or maybe I should wait for another update which hopefully fixes the joycons?

PS: here's the relevant part of the manual

 

[Marc_LFD]

Bummer. Sounds like the Switch 2 broke them from working properly with the console.

Can you post a picture of what they look like?

 

[emmauss]

Does the 3rd party joycons not have usb port? Also, Nintendo update for their joycons will not work for 3rd party ones so you have to wait for your own joycons manufacturers to provide one

 

[Dinzy]

I'm surprised that these 3rd party joycons fooled the switch2 into updating them. I bet the update actually just changes something on the switch2 and that effected the joycons. It's going to be annoying if this keeps happening. I have a couple of 8bitdo controllers I use on the Switch 2. Just got the Pro 3. I hope these things don't have to be updated frequently because you know it is going to need an update right when you sit down to play a multiplayer game.

 

[Marc_LFD]

I'm surprised that these 3rd party joycons fooled the switch2 into updating them. I bet the update actually just changes something on the switch2 and that effected the joycons. It's going to be annoying if this keeps happening. I have a couple of 8bitdo controllers I use on the Switch 2. Just got the Pro 3. I hope these things don't have to be updated frequently because you know it is going to need an update right when you sit down to play a multiplayer game.

The 8Bitdo have their own firmware upgrades so it's separate.

https://support.8bitdo.com/firmware-updater.html

8Bitdo does a great job supporting their products.

 

[Necron]

Bummer. Sounds like the Switch 2 broke them from working properly with the console.

Can you post a picture of what they look like?

Sure

Does the 3rd party joycons not have usb port? Also, Nintendo update for their joycons will not work for 3rd party ones so you have to wait for your own joycons manufacturers to provide one

That's the funny part, they only have a connection to the switch itself.

I contacted the seller and the only answer they could give is to return them. Sadly I don't have the box anymore and I would probably have to pay for the return, plus it's not a guarantee to get my money back.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Damn, they're already making identical clones of the Switch 2 Joy-Cons. If people buy these used and not notice the text is missing in the back, they'll think they're genuine.

 

[[Truth]]

That's the funny part, they only have a connection to the switch itself.

I contacted the seller and the only answer they could give is to return them. Sadly I don't have the box anymore and I would probably have to pay for the return, plus it's not a guarantee to get my money back.

Sounds to me that the manual is for a different controller.

 

[Marc_LFD]

The product has become faulty and it's not your fault so you're entitled for a refund if you can still apply for it. AliExpress returns are normally free now.

Try to get a return if you're still eligible. What they require is a photo or two, and video showing it malfunctioning. The original box would be preferable to include, but you can send without it.

 

[Necron]

Damn, they're already making identical clones of the Switch 2 Joy-Cons. If people buy these used and not notice the text is missing in the back, they'll think they're genuine.

For real. I knew they were 3rd party and I was very surprised how they looked, the build quality and how well they worked, until they didn't anymore.

Sounds to me that the manual is for a different controller.

I thought the same, the guide mentions a "3D" button, which I'm not sure what it is, but the joycons are shown there lol

The product has become faulty and it's not your fault so you're entitled for a refund if you can still apply for it. AliExpress returns are normally free now.

Try to get a return if you're still eligible. What they require is a photo or two, and video showing it malfunctioning. The original box would be preferable to include, but you can send without it.

I'll try again, but since the refunds are only after 15 days, the button became unavailable for me and I ordered these by the end of January.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Oh yeah, you're eligible then.

AliExpress app is a damn pain sometimes to upload video evidence, but I tried on their website and it's the same.

 

[Necron]

Update: I updated my Switch 2 to firmware 22.1.0 and the joycon situation is the same. Issued the refund for now.

 

[AZOZx]

with my experience on buying from Aliexpress I'm telling DONT return them you will either get nothing or lose money in the process. and since its not "branded" lets say you'll prob wont get a firmware update. just buy oem ones or a well known 3rd party alternative ( cant recommend it because i didnt try it myself ) but i've seen a few "joy con pros" reviews on yt. but still my bet is on oem still. in my experience and from what i've seen from my friends a lot of our 3rd party accessories turned to e waste after nintendo decided to randomly drop an update , thats why i strongly recommend oem.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Update: I updated my Switch 2 to firmware 22.1.0 and the joycon situation is the same. Issued the refund for now.

Just by searching "Switch 2 joycon" I came across listings of these, but little to no reviews and since you had quite an experience you should post yours (for whatever it's worth).

with my experience on buying from Aliexpress I'm telling DONT return them you will either get nothing or lose money in the process. and since its not "branded" lets say you'll prob wont get a firmware update. just buy oem ones or a well known 3rd party alternative ( cant recommend it because i didnt try it myself ) but i've seen a few "joy con pros" reviews on yt. but still my bet is on oem still. in my experience and from what i've seen from my friends a lot of our 3rd party accessories turned to e waste after nintendo decided to randomly drop an update , thats why i strongly recommend oem.

I've bought loads from AliExpress and if I need to return it, it's free of charge and I get my money back.

The worst part of the process is uploading video evidence as the app/website struggles to correctly upload the video so I need to try several times.

 

[Necron]

with my experience on buying from Aliexpress I'm telling DONT return them you will either get nothing or lose money in the process. and since its not "branded" lets say you'll prob wont get a firmware update. just buy oem ones or a well known 3rd party alternative ( cant recommend it because i didnt try it myself ) but i've seen a few "joy con pros" reviews on yt. but still my bet is on oem still. in my experience and from what i've seen from my friends a lot of our 3rd party accessories turned to e waste after nintendo decided to randomly drop an update , thats why i strongly recommend oem.

I was offered a partial refund and since I had a coupon for my credit card, the cost of these resulted very low, so I chose that option.

Just by searching "Switch 2 joycon" I came across listings of these, but little to no reviews and since you had quite an experience you should post yours (for whatever it's worth).

I've bought loads from AliExpress and if I need to return it, it's free of charge and I get my money back.

The worst part of the process is uploading video evidence as the app/website struggles to correctly upload the video so I need to try several times.

For what it's worth: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005010773106504.html
There are several other listings with the same joycons.

Funnily enough, when I went to the listing, they had just updated it with the instructions on how to update the joycons, so I'm glad I did the partial refund lol. I'll test that tomorrow and post again with the results and if they work, I'll upload the software and instructions.

Edit: jeez I need a rechargeable grip to be able to connect the joycons to my pc, so I guess I'll have to order one first. The file was a pain in the back to get, since they used a Chinese only site, but here it is

Resource icon

OEM Joycon 2 firmware updater

Apr 11, 2026

joycon 2 fw updater

• Necron
• Other Switch files

 

[SuperYoshi310]

I am in the same boat as you are. I have three different charge grips for my Joy Cons: 2 have a built in battery while one doesn't but neither of them get recognized on the program. Not even by holding down the analog stick or disconnecting and reconnecting the Joy Con grips to my computer. I checked my USB cable with my phone and it does have data pass through instead of just charging so I'm not sure what's going wrong. Have you gotten a grip yet and have had success with the Firmware updater?

 

[Necron]

I am in the same boat as you are. I have three different charge grips for my Joy Cons: 2 have a built in battery while one doesn't but neither of them get recognized on the program. Not even by holding down the analog stick or disconnecting and reconnecting the Joy Con grips to my computer. I checked my USB cable with my phone and it does have data pass through instead of just charging so I'm not sure what's going wrong. Have you gotten a grip yet and have had success with the Firmware updater?

My charging grip arrived the other day and I tried it to no luck (only booted up w10 to try these). I went back to my linux drive and tried running lsusb to check the connected devices and the joycons never appeared, so I'm thinking that either the grips don't have data lines or they are not recognized. I opened up my grip to check the connection and honestly I don't see any driver chips.



I assume those 4 connections are due to the reversible nature of the usb c and not just regular usb A data lines+power.

 

[SuperYoshi310]

What design was your charging grip? Maybe there is a grip being sold that can connect the Joy Cons to a computer that we just got unlucky with obtaining?

 

[Marc_LFD]

What design was your charging grip? Maybe there is a grip being sold that can connect the Joy Cons to a computer that we just got unlucky with obtaining?

Rather than buying random grips, here's a tutorial that's probably more useful, found it on an AliExpress listing. Attachment below.

Source: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EynHhB0

 

[SuperYoshi310]

The tutorial still specifies using some grip (or a dedicated connection cable, whatever that is) to connect the joy cons to a computer. Unless I missed an instruction somewhere?