Hardware Problem with left Joycon Joystick

HideoKojima · Sep 21, 2020

Lately I noticed that on the left Joystick, pressing down isn't very responsive, I have to push it all the way down (used to be just a gentle press) for it to work!

I tried calibrating it (all directions go all the way to the end of the circle expect the down it goes halfway or even don't move if I press it lightly as I used to do) so not sure about how useful is calibration in this case. I also updated the controllers.

Anyone faced the same issue?

slaphappygamer · Sep 25, 2020

I just had joydrift in a replacement joystick. I was able to peel back the rubber at the base of the joystick. I got an eye dropper and 99.9% isopropyl alcohol. Drift is now gone. Maybe this may be a solution for you. I didn’t have to take anything apart to access the base of the joycon.

right here

WD40 may also work. I’d try this before anything else. It may fix your issue. The rubber is very soft, so don’t be too rough. After you insert whichever fluid you used, work the joystick all around and press slowly to really let the liquid soak in.

HideoKojima · Sep 25, 2020

slaphappygamer said:
I just had joydrift in a replacement joystick. I was able to peel back the rubber at the base of the joystick. I got an eye dropper and 99.9% isopropyl alcohol. Drift is now gone. Maybe this may be a solution for you. I didn’t have to take anything apart to access the base of the joycon.

right here
View attachment 226084

WD40 may also work. I’d try this before anything else. It may fix your issue. The rubber is very soft, so don’t be too rough. After you insert whichever fluid you used, work the joystick all around and press slowly to really let the liquid soak in.

Thanks a lot I'll give it a try, I appreciate the photo.

Encarta · Sep 25, 2020

slaphappygamer said:
I just had joydrift in a replacement joystick. I was able to peel back the rubber at the base of the joystick. I got an eye dropper and 99.9% isopropyl alcohol. Drift is now gone. Maybe this may be a solution for you. I didn’t have to take anything apart to access the base of the joycon.

right here
View attachment 226084

WD40 may also work. I’d try this before anything else. It may fix your issue. The rubber is very soft, so don’t be too rough. After you insert whichever fluid you used, work the joystick all around and press slowly to really let the liquid soak in.

How long ago did you do this, and how long did it last without having to do it again? Because I sent mine back to Nintendo for repair and one is starting to slightly have the issue again. If this definitely works, long term, I'll try this method next time.

slaphappygamer · Sep 25, 2020

I did this a couple of days ago and I don’t have drifting any longer. Since I noticed I was able to correct the drifting with the isopropyl alcohol, I realize that may have to do this again. I’m pretty sure that if there was any oil or grease inside the joycon, the alcohol may have dissolved it. If the issue comes back again, I’ll spray WD40 in there. So far though, the joystick feels smooth.

Encarta · Sep 25, 2020

slaphappygamer said:
I did this a couple of days ago and I don’t have drifting any longer. Since I noticed I was able to correct the drifting with the isopropyl alcohol, I realize that may have to do this again. I’m pretty sure that if there was any oil or grease inside the joycon, the alcohol may have dissolved it. If the issue comes back again, I’ll spray WD40 in there. So far though, the joystick feels smooth.

OK. I've seen this method mentioned on youtube, but I've also heard it could be the contacts on the board wearing down - no definitive answer from anyone on what's the cause. It'd be good if anyone else could confirm how well this has worked on a long term basis.
I have 6 joycons in my house and all have suffered joycon drift, 1 pair I got at launch, 1 bright yellow pair that came out along with ARMS some months later, and then another for a 2nd switch bought a year after release.
Luckily Nintendo UK have recently repaired 2 pairs for free - even though they won't mention it's free - and I'm about to send them the yellow ones too (hopefully still for free) but like I said, one repaired joycon is starting to play up a bit, and a replacement set I previously got from Amazon ended up faulty after only 2 months.
I may try this method you mention, but part of me feels sending them back to Nintendo might make sure they get the message.

slaphappygamer · Sep 25, 2020

Yes. There can be other troubles that contribute to joycon drift. I replaced the joycon a few months ago and the drift came back. Then I changed it again (I bought a two pack) and that one had drift too. That’s why I decided to try cleaning it. I’m curious as to how long this fix will last too.

HideoKojima · Sep 25, 2020

Humm so I wanted to do as in that pic and without putting any alcohol it works now!!!! Hope this will be a permanent fix.

slaphappygamer · Sep 25, 2020

Shalashaska98 said:
Humm so I wanted to do as in that pic and without putting any alcohol it works now!!!! Hope this will be a permanent fix.

That’s really awesome! I hope it stays fixed.

HideoKojima · Sep 25, 2020

slaphappygamer said:
That’s really awesome! I hope it stays fixed.

Thank you again

Hardware Problem with left Joycon Joystick

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