Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons: The Battery Drain Problem and How to Fix It

Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons Battery Drain Explained!

It looks like some owners of Nintendo Switch might have been unknowingly killing their Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons by not properly powering down their controllers! There is good news!

Why Are Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons Draining Battery When They Aren't in Use?

Even if Joy-Con Controllers are disconnected from your Switch, they're still in standby mode to ensure that the "search" feature of the Switch is ready. The Switch constantly attempts to find them if they get lost, This feature is draining power even when not being used.

What Does "Standby Mode" Mean for the Joy-Cons?

This means the Joy-Con Standby Mode constantly consumes battery power even when your Controllers are turned off. They are not fully powered down. That means they may experience a decline in Joy-Con Battery life or even lead to more serious problems like a Joy-Con Bloated Battery, which can lead to issues like Joy-Con Battery Bloat or make your Joy-Con Unusable.

What Can I Do About My Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons Draining?

There's good news. Your Joy-Con controllers were actually shipped with the ability to turn them completely off. The "Joy-Con Turn Off Program", which can be found on GitHub, lets users revert their Joy-Cons to this original state of Joy-Con Deep Sleep!

Will I Need A Third-Party Device For Charging Joy-Con?

That is a question for a lot of Nintendo Switch owners! It is suggested that if you do use the "Joy-Con Turn Off Program" that you can use any Joy-Con Charging Device to power them back up. That's because if the Joy-Con pair with your Switch again they will automatically wake back up and power on.

What About My New Joy-Cons? Should I Do Something Different With My Switch?

This can affect all Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons! That includes if you are considering new models, such as any potential Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons with the release of Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch 2 Controllers! You might want to follow the recommendations we've outlined for proper shutdown, especially to reduce the chances of Battery drain.

What Else Should I Do With My Nintendo Switch Joy-Con?

It is also recommended to check the health of your Joy-Con! Make sure to look for any signs of bulging batteries or other Joy-Con Issues. The official Nintendo Switch Troubleshooting website may be a great source for answers to specific problems with your Joy-Cons. Or, you can explore options for Joy-Con Repair, or to consider Joy-Con Replacement if needed.