When Updating Your Nintendo Switch, Update Your Joy-Cons Too

Image: David Murphy

Nintendo, I like you, but youre the worst business in the world for product updates. Take the Nintendo Switch, for instance: It gets updates on a relatively routine basis; thats not the issue. However Nintendo doesnt constantly define what its upgrading when theres a brand-new version of your Switchs operating system to download, and the generic prose they provide gets annoying:

Screenshot: David Murphy

In this case, the newest Nintendo Switch upgrade likewise apparently includes an update for your Joy-Con controllers– which some have recommended is meant to assist address the ever-maddening “Joy-Con drift” problem dealing with a variety of Switch owners. Honestly, who understands, though; Nintendo didnt publish information of the update, nor did they even show that theres an upgrade for your Joy-Con controllers that youll wish to install. I dislike when companies do this, but I still believe its important to install updates– so heres my recommendations for these scenarios.

Whenever you get a new Nintendo Switch update …

Screenshot: David Murphy

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Initially, and most importantly, conserve and close your game. It practically goes without stating, however setting up an upgrade to your Switchs running system will need you to close whatever youve been playing. That shouldnt be a problem for the majority of people, especially if youve just recently saved your progress. If you absentmindedly press the “A” button to sail through your Switchs update prompts like a normal Animal Crossing conversation, you risk losing the development youve made in whatever game you were playing because you werent paying attention.

Screenshot: David Murphy

Otherwise, checking for (and installing) a Nintendo Switch update is simple. Navigate over to your Nintendo Switchs System Settings, scroll down to System, scroll over to System Update, and tap the “A” button on your Switch.

Screenshot: David Murphy

Thats it, right? Not rather.
Did you forget to upgrade your Joy-Cons, too?
While upgrading your console is simple, you might not know that you need to go through a different procedure to upgrade your Joy-Con controllers if, or when, Nintendo likewise launches an update for them. I do not remember ever receiving notifications for these updates, so I advise strolling through the steps to examine for a Joy-Con update whenever you have a routine Switch upgrade.

Screenshot: David Murphy

You must understand how to force-update games by now, however if not, lets revitalize. Highlight any game on your Switchs main menu, tap on the Plus button in the upper-left corner of your right Joy-Con, and scroll to Software Update. The majority of people will be doing so with the “Via the Internet” command, so highlight that, tap “A,” and see if theres a new version of your video game up for grabs.

Given that youre currently updating your Switch …
Now your Nintendo Switch is fully upgraded, youre done. Im refrained from doing, though. I like to take these minutes– Nintendo Switch upgrade day– to also go through video games Ive installed on my device and examine to see if they have any remaining updates, too. That way, when I next go to play them (if or when I can ever leave my Animal Crossing island), I will not need to wait for an update to set up and download.

Browse over to Controllers and Sensors in your System Settings, and scroll down up until you find the Update Controllers choice. Ensure your Joy-Cons are physically linked to your Switch, then highlight it and press “A.” Youll go through a super-quick upgrade process for your left and best Joy-Cons. If theres no update to set up, your Switch will let you understand.

In this case, the newest Nintendo Switch update likewise presumably comes with an upgrade for your Joy-Con controllers– which some have suggested is suggested to assist resolve the ever-maddening “Joy-Con drift” issue facing a number of Switch owners. Truthfully, who understands, though; Nintendo didnt publish details of the update, nor did they even show that theres an upgrade for your Joy-Con controllers that youll desire to set up. Browse over to your Nintendo Switchs System Settings, scroll down to System, scroll over to System Update, and tap the “A” button on your Switch. Since youre currently upgrading your Switch …
Now your Nintendo Switch is fully completely, youre done. I like to take these moments– Nintendo Switch update day– to likewise go through games Ive installed on my device and inspect to see if they have any lingering updates, too.