How to Set Up Peripherals for Nintendo Switch

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

This guide will help you setup additional peripherals for your Nintendo Switch.

2. Joy-Con Controllers

Attach Joy-Con Controllers

  1. With the Switch LCD facing you, align thesymbol on the left Joy-Con with the top left corner of console, and align the symbol on the Joy-Con with the top right corner of the console.
Nintendo Switch screen with JoyCons, arrows highlighting + and - buttons

  1.  
  2. Using the rail on the side of the console, slide the Joy-Con from top to bottom, until you hear a click.
Nintendo Switch with joycon being pushed down into place
  1. Once the Joy-Con controllers are attached to the system, they are registered, and can now be detached and used.

Detach Joy-Con Controllers

  1. Press and hold the release button at the back of the Joy-Con.
Back of Nintendo Switch console showing release button on Joycon


  1. Slide the Joy-Con from bottom to top.
Nintendo Switch Console screen with Joy-Con being pulled up
  1. Ensure that the slide lock on the Joy-Con strap is in the unlock position (down).
Nintendo Joy-Con strap being unlocked
  1. Make sure the Joy-Con straps are correctly oriented by aligning the + or -.
Nintendo Joy-Con and straps showing proper alignment with + and -


  1. Attach the Joy-Con straps to the Joy-Con controllers using the rail on the side of the Joy-Con. Slide the Joy-Con strap from top to bottom until you hear a click.
Nintendo Joy-Con with strap being pushed down


  1. Ensure the slide lock on the Joy-Con strap is in the lock position (up).
Nintendo Joy-Con strap being locked

Checking the Charge of the Joy-Con

  1. From the Switch Home Menu, select Controllers.
Nintendo Switch Home Menu with controllers highlighted


  1. You can see the charge of each Joy-Con here.
Nintendo Switch controller menu with battery charges highlighted

Charging the Joy-Con Controllers with the Console

  1. You can charge the Joy-Con using the Switch Console.
  2. Attach the Joy-Con to the console.
Nintendo switch console with joy-cons being pushed down into place


  1. Plug the console into the charger.
Nintendo switch console with arrows showing plugs going into the console and adapter into the wall

Charging the Joy-Con Controllers with the Charging Grip

  1. Attach the controllers to the Joy-Con Charging Grip.
Nintendo Joy-Cons being attached to the Charging grip


  1. Plug the charging grip either into the Switch Dock or the AC Adapter.
Nintendo Joy-Con shown connecting to Switch Dock and AC adapter

 

 Take a Screenshot

  1. Press the screenshot button.
Nintendo Switch console showing the screenshot button highlighted on the left Joy-Con

3. Pro Controller

Connect With a USB Cable

  1. Place the Nintendo Switch console in the dock.
  2. Connect the Pro Controller to the dock with the included USB cable.
Nintendo Pro Controller being plugged into the Switch Dock

Connect Wirelessly

  1. From the HOME Menu, select Controllers.
Nintendo Switch Home Menu with controllers highlighted

  1. Select Change Grip and Order.
Nintendo switch controllers screen with change grip/order highlighted
  1. While the following screen is displayed.
Nintendo Switch screen showing controllers connecting.Command to press L+R on the controller
  1. Press and hold down the Sync Button for at least one second on the Pro Controller you wish to pair.
Nintendo switch pro controller with sync button on the top highlighted

Take a Screenshot

  1. Press the screenshot button.
Nintendo switch pro controller with screenshot button in the middle highlighted

4. Switch Dock

  1. Open the back of the Switch dock.
Nintendo switch dock showing back panel opened
  1. Connect the USB plug from the Nintendo Switch AC adapter into the top terminal of the dock labeled AC ADAPTER, then connect the other end of the AC adapter to a wall outlet.
  2. Connect one end of the HDMI cable into the bottom terminal of the dock labeled HDMI OUT, then connect the other end into an HDMI port on your television or monitor.
Nintendo switch dock showing AC Adapter and HDMI Out plugs
  1. Close the back of the Dock.
  2. Position the console so that the LCD screen faces in the same direction as the front panel on the dock, then insert the console into the dock.
Nintendo switch dock showing the console inserted
  1. Turn the TV set on, and select the correct HDMI input.

5. Joy-Con Grip

  1. Attach the controllers to the Joy-Con Charging Grip.
Nintendo Joy-Con being attached to the Charging Grip
  1. Plug the charging grip either into the Switch Dock or the AC Adapter.
Nintendo Joy-Con grip being plugged into the dock for charging

6. Joy-Con Wheel

The Joy-Con Wheels use the Switch's tilt controls to mimic driving.

Line the + or - buttons with the respective icons on the Wheel.

Nintendo Joy-Con showing alignment of + buttons with Wheel