How to install hall effect joysticks in a Switch Joy-Con

Both of my Joy-Con controllers suffer from analog stick drifting. If you’re lucky enough to have avoided that (so far, at least — it comes for us all, I believe), it’s when your sticks lose accuracy and sometimes register movement even you’re not moving them. The drifting occurs when each of the sticks’ sensors are worn down from use to the point that not even recalibration within the Nintendo Switch’s system settings can save them. We are so close to the release of Tears of the Kingdom: The Legend of Zelda, that’s not ideal.

GuliKit is selling replacement Joy-Consticks for $27 per set at Amazon. The magnets are used to transmit input signals to the joystick. They can also be used to detect movement by the user, instead of the need to touch the sensor. It’s not new technology; Sega used them in the Dreamcast controller, and both GuliKit and 8BitDo make some fantastic Switch controllers featured here that have them, too.

I’m recommending them here because I recently bought a set and replaced my Joy-Con sticks. The process was easy and it solved all my issues immediately. Even better, Aliexpress and Amazon both sell the above kit which includes everything you need to open Joy-Cons. But, remember that the Joy-Con must be opened up. Most likely to void the warrantyYou are free to follow the instructions at your own risk. If you aren’t experienced with opening up your tech, or eager to learn, I’d recommend that you stop reading and just reach out to Nintendo to see if the company will fix your Joy-Cons, especially if you own a Nintendo Switch Lite (that process is a Lots There are more to it

For those who need help, I created a guide (with amazing photos taken by Verge photographer Amelia Holowaty Krales), on how you can take out. All of the Joy-Cons’ components to do a case swap for cosmetic purposes. Some of that info isn’t important for this job, so I’ve distilled the most important steps relating to the stick installation here.

Joy-Con Joystick Replacement

To open the Joy-Con, remove the four Y00-type screw that holds it together. Slide the opening pick along the Joy-Con’s edges to release the cover.

Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales
You can gently pry out the battery. Make sure it is free of adhesive dust so that the battery does not stick to your hands when you re-insert it. Then, unscrew the black plastic cover that’s held down by two J00-type screws. Then, store them in a safe place and then remove the plastic cover to expose the mainboard.

Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales
Now you can access the housing of your analog stick. In the left Joy-Con shown here, it’s the square metal piece near the top, next to the shoulder buttons.

Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales
You can loosen the screws that hold the stick in place. Then, lift the black latch to release the short ribbon cable. Attach the GuliKit Stick to its original place using two screws. Then, secure the ribbon cable with the push-down latch. Next, assemble the Joy-Con as follows:

Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales
This is the interior of a right Joy-Con. The layout may be slightly different. The steps to reach and install a joystick, however, are the same.

Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales