Connect Switch 2 Pro Controller to PC: Why It Is Finally Simple

Honestly, the original Switch Pro Controller was a bit of a nightmare for PC gamers. You had to deal with weird Bluetooth lag, third-party wrappers, and that annoying Joy-Con drift that eventually migrated to the Pro models. But now that we have the new hardware, learning how to connect Switch 2 Pro Controller to PC is a completely different experience. It's better. Nintendo actually looked at how people use their gear on Steam and Epic Games Store, and they made some subtle but massive changes to the polling rate and the Bluetooth stack that make this a viable alternative to an Xbox Elite or DualSense Edge.

You've probably got the controller sitting on your desk right now. It feels slightly heavier, right? That’s the new haptics. But none of that matters if your Windows rig thinks it's just a generic "DirectInput" device with no buttons mapped correctly.

The Bluetooth Method That Actually Works

Most people just hold the sync button and hope for the best. That’s why it fails. To connect Switch 2 Pro Controller to PC via Bluetooth, you need to be precise about the pairing window.

First, hit the Windows Key + I. Go to Bluetooth & devices. Make sure your PC’s Bluetooth is actually toggled on—I know, sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often that's the culprit. Now, look at the top of your Switch 2 Pro Controller. There is a tiny, circular button near the USB-C port. Hold that down until the lights at the bottom start dancing back and forth like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica.

On your PC, click "Add device" and then "Bluetooth." You should see "Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller" pop up. Click it. Done. If it asks for a PIN, which it shouldn't in 2026, try 0000. But if you’re on Windows 11 or the latest Windows 12 builds, it should just handshake and vibrate once to let you know it’s home.

The problem? Windows doesn't natively speak "Nintendo." It speaks "Xbox." This is where the XInput vs. DirectInput conflict ruins your day. If you try to play a game right now, your A and B buttons will likely be swapped because Nintendo uses the Japanese layout where 'A' is on the right.

Why Steam is Your Best Friend Here

If you aren't using Steam, you're making your life harder than it needs to be. Valve’s "Steam Input" is basically a universal translator.

Open Steam. Go to Settings. Find the Controller tab. There’s a specific toggle now for "Enable Steam Input for Nintendo Controllers." Toggle that on. Steam will immediately recognize the Switch 2 Pro Controller and apply a template that fixes the button orientation.

One cool thing about the Switch 2 hardware is the improved gyroscope. If you’re playing a shooter like Apex Legends or even something slower like Cyberpunk 2077, you can enable "Gyro Aiming" in Steam. It’s surprisingly precise. You use the sticks for big movements and just tilt the controller for those tiny headshot adjustments. It feels like cheating, but it’s just better tech.

What if I’m playing on Epic or Game Pass?

This is where it gets slightly annoying. Game Pass for PC is notorious for only liking Xbox controllers. If you want to connect Switch 2 Pro Controller to PC for a Game Pass title, you’ll probably need a tool called BetterJoy.

It’s an open-source driver that fools Windows into thinking your Nintendo controller is an Xbox 360 controller. You just run the app, hit "Locate," and suddenly your Switch 2 Pro Controller works everywhere. Just a heads up: BetterJoy sometimes struggles if Steam is open at the same time. They fight over who gets to "talk" to the controller. Pick one and stick with it.

Wired Connection: The "Low Latency" Myth

A lot of pros tell you to stay wired to avoid input lag. With the Switch 2 Pro Controller, the USB-C connection is great for charging, but Nintendo’s firmware still prioritizes Bluetooth for data transmission in many modes.

However, if you plug it in via a high-quality USB-C to USB-A cable, Windows should recognize it instantly. I’ve noticed that some cheap cables—the ones you get for five bucks at a gas station—don't carry data well enough for gaming. Use the cable that came in the box. It’s thicker for a reason.

Fixes for the "Ghosting" and Disconnection Bugs

Let’s talk about what happens when things go wrong. Because they will.

If your controller keeps disconnecting every ten minutes, it’s usually not the controller. It’s Windows Power Management. Windows likes to turn off Bluetooth radios to save battery, even if you’re on a desktop. Go to Device Manager, find your Bluetooth adapter, right-click, hit Properties, and under Power Management, uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

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Another weird quirk? Interference. The Switch 2 Pro Controller operates on the 2.4GHz band. If your router is sitting right next to your PC, or if you have a wireless headset and a wireless mouse all grouped together, you’re going to get "ghosting" where your character just keeps walking into a wall. Try to clear a line of sight between the controller and your PC’s Bluetooth antenna.

The Button Swap Problem

Nintendo’s layout:

• X at the top
• B at the bottom
• Y on the left
• A on the right

Xbox layout:

• Y at the top
• A at the bottom
• X on the left
• B on the right

When you connect Switch 2 Pro Controller to PC, your brain is going to hurt because the screen will say "Press A" and you’ll press the bottom button (which is B on your controller). In Steam, you can actually select "Use Nintendo Button Layout." This flips the software mapping so that when the game wants "A," you press the button labeled "A." It sounds small. It’s actually life-changing for muscle memory.

Battery Life and PC Maintenance

One of the best reasons to use this controller over the DualSense is the battery. We’re talking 40+ hours. On PC, you won’t get a battery percentage indicator in the Windows taskbar, which is a bit of a bummer.

However, Steam will show a small battery icon in Big Picture Mode. If the light on the front of the controller starts flashing red, you’ve got about an hour left. Just plug it into any USB port. It charges slower through a PC port than a wall brick, but it’ll get the job done while you play.

Actionable Steps for a Perfect Setup

To get the most out of your setup, follow this specific sequence:

1. Update your firmware: Before connecting to PC, sync the controller to your Switch 2 console and check for updates in the System Settings. Nintendo often releases day-one patches that stabilize Bluetooth stability.
2. Clear old pairings: If you used the controller on your Switch recently, turn the console completely off. Sometimes the controller will try to "wake up" the Switch while you're trying to play on PC, causing a connection loop.
3. Calibrate in Windows: Go to "Set up USB game controllers" in your Windows search bar. Select the Pro Controller and click properties. Move the sticks in circles to make sure the deadzones are centered. If the sticks are off-center, use the "Calibrate" wizard.
4. Launch via Steam: Even for non-Steam games, add the game’s .exe to your Steam library as a "Non-Steam Game." This allows you to use Valve’s superior controller mapping instead of relying on Windows’ basic drivers.

The Switch 2 Pro Controller is arguably the most comfortable pad on the market right now. Taking the five minutes to set it up properly on your PC means you don't have to buy a separate $70 controller just for Windows gaming. It’s sturdy, the triggers feel tactile even without the analog depth of some competitors, and the d-pad is a massive upgrade over the mushy mess we had on the original Switch. Once the handshake is done, it just works.