Will Nintendo Fix My Joy-Cons for Free Even If They’re Out of Warranty?

Ever since a July 2019 report by Kotaku shed light on the Joy-Con drift issue, Nintendo has significantly changed its policies regarding repairing faulty Joy-Con controllers. The company now offers free repairs for drifting Joy-Con controllers, even if they are outside the regular warranty period. This article will explore the history of the Joy-Con drift problem, Nintendo’s response, and what this means for Switch owners with malfunctioning controllers.

Understanding Joy-Con Drift

Joy-Con drift refers to an issue where the analog sticks on the controllers move around and input commands to the console, even when they’re not being physically manipulated. This problem has been reported to affect both left and right Joy-Con controllers, although the left stick seems to be more commonly affected.

The exact cause of Joy-Con drift is still unclear, but two potential explanations have been proposed:

Dust or debris entering the controller beneath a rubber cap designed to keep the interior clean
Worn-down contacts due to repeated use

Regardless of the underlying cause, Joy-Con drift can be incredibly frustrating for Switch owners, as it can make playing certain games nearly impossible.

Nintendo’s Initial Response and Lawsuits

In the wake of the Kotaku report and growing public outcry, Nintendo began offering free repairs for affected Joy-Con controllers in July 2019. However, this repair program was initially only available in the United States.

Two class-action lawsuits were also filed against Nintendo over the Joy-Con drift issue. The first suit, filed in 2019, is still ongoing, with the law firm seeking more Switch owners to join. The second suit was filed in California in October 2020.

Nintendo’s Expanded Repair Policy

In April 2023, Nintendo announced that it would be expanding its free Joy-Con repair program to include the UK, Europe, and other regions. This new policy allows Switch owners to get their drifting Joy-Con controllers repaired for free, even if they are outside the standard warranty period.

According to Nintendo’s support page, the company will repair Joy-Con controllers suffering from “responsiveness syndrome” (the official term for Joy-Con drift) at no charge, regardless of whether the issue is caused by a defect or wear and tear. This applies even if the 24-month manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

However, there are some exceptions to this policy. Nintendo may refuse to provide free repairs if:

The drift was caused by third-party accessories
The controller has been used for commercial purposes
The drift was caused by accidental damage or negligence
The controller has been opened, modified, or repaired by anyone other than Nintendo or its authorized partners

Alternatives to Nintendo’s Repair Program

While Nintendo’s expanded repair program is good news for Switch owners with drifting Joy-Cons, there are some alternative options to consider:

Using compressed air or isopropyl alcohol to clean the controllers
Recalibrating the analog sticks
Replacing the entire joystick (although this voids the warranty)
Purchasing third-party controllers that use different analog stick technology, such as hall effect sensors, which are less prone to drift

It’s important to note that while these alternatives may provide temporary relief or a more permanent solution, they do not replace Nintendo’s official repair program, which remains the best option for most Switch owners with drifting Joy-Cons.

Conclusion

Nintendo’s decision to expand its free Joy-Con repair program is a significant step in addressing the long-standing issue of Joy-Con drift. Switch owners who have been dealing with malfunctioning controllers can now get them repaired for free, even if they are outside the standard warranty period.

While the exact cause of Joy-Con drift remains unclear, Nintendo’s new policy demonstrates a commitment to supporting its customers and addressing their concerns. However, it remains to be seen whether the company will make any design changes to prevent the issue from occurring in future Joy-Con controllers.

In the meantime, Switch owners with drifting Joy-Cons can take advantage of Nintendo’s expanded repair program or explore alternative solutions to keep their controllers functioning properly. With a little care and attention, Switch owners can continue to enjoy their favorite games without the frustration of Joy-Con drift.