You’ve got a Pro Controller sitting on your desk. It feels better in your hands than the cramped Joy-Cons, and honestly, the battery life makes the DualSense look like a joke. So why isn't it your main PC gamepad? Most people assume that because it's a Nintendo product, it’ll be a nightmare to get working on Windows. They’re kinda right, but also mostly wrong.
If you’ve ever tried to just plug a switch controller for pc use and expected it to work like an Xbox pad, you probably ran into "The Drift" or buttons that didn’t respond. Windows treats Nintendo hardware like a bit of an outsider. It’s a DirectInput device, while most modern PC games are looking for XInput. But here’s the thing: once you bridge that gap, you’re looking at one of the most comfortable gaming experiences available today.
Let’s talk about why you’d even bother.
The Bluetooth Struggle is Real
Connecting via Bluetooth is the most common way people try to use their switch controller for pc setups. It’s convenient. No wires. You just hold the sync button until the lights dance. But Windows Bluetooth drivers are, frankly, a mess. You might notice your inputs feel "heavy" or delayed. This is usually due to signal interference. If your PC is under a metal desk or you have a cheap $5 Bluetooth dongle, the polling rate is going to drop.
You’ll see the lights on the bottom of the controller keep cycling. This is a tell-tale sign that the PC sees the hardware but doesn't quite know what to do with it. Most users give up here. Don't.
Steam is Your Best Friend
Steam has basically done all the heavy lifting for us. A few years ago, Valve added "Switch Pro Configuration Support" into the Steam settings. It’s a lifesaver. You just go into Settings, then Controller, and toggle that specific switch.
Suddenly, your switch controller for pc isn't just a generic HID device; it’s a fully remappable tool. Steam even handles the "A/B" and "X/Y" flip. Nintendo has their buttons swapped compared to Xbox. If you’ve spent twenty years playing Mario, your brain is wired for the "A" button to be on the right. If you’re a Halo vet, you want "A" on the bottom. Steam lets you choose. It’s glorious.
What About Games Not on Steam?
This is where things get tricky. If you’re trying to play something on Game Pass or the Epic Games Store, Steam’s magic doesn’t always carry over. You launch Forza and... nothing. The game doesn't see a controller.
Enter BetterJoy.
🔗 Read more: Is Monster Hunter Wilds on Game Pass? What You Actually Need to Know
BetterJoy (formerly BetterJoyForCemu) is an open-source driver created by Davidobot. It’s basically a translation layer. It takes the Nintendo signal and "masks" it as an Xbox 360 controller. Windows is fooled. The game thinks you’ve plugged in a Microsoft-certified peripheral. It even supports motion controls. Yes, you can actually use the gyro in your Pro Controller to aim in games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Resident Evil if you set it up right.
The Problem With Digital Triggers
We have to be honest about one thing: the Pro Controller has digital triggers. They are "clicky." They are either ON or OFF.
In a shooter, this is actually an advantage. Your trigger pull is instant. But if you’re playing a racing sim like F1 2024 or iRacing, you’re going to have a bad time. You can’t "feather" the throttle. You’re either idling or flooring it. If you’re a hardcore gearhead, a switch controller for pc probably shouldn’t be your first choice. Stick to an Xbox Elite or a DualSense for the analog triggers.
Joy-Cons on PC: A Lesson in Masochism
Can you use Joy-Cons? Yes. Should you? Probably not unless you really love a challenge.
Windows sees each Joy-Con as a separate controller. To use them as a single unit, you need software like vJoy or the aforementioned BetterJoy to "stitch" them together. It’s finicky. The connection is prone to dropping because the antennas in Joy-Cons are tiny. But, if you’re doing a couch co-op session and you’re short on pads, it’s a viable backup. Just don't expect to win any Warzone matches with them.
Wired vs. Wireless
A lot of people think plugging in the USB-C cable solves everything.
Ironically, sometimes it makes it worse. Some PCs struggle to handshake with the Pro Controller over a wired connection if the specific "Pro Controller Wired Communication" setting isn't handled correctly. If you're going wired, make sure you're using a high-quality data cable, not just a cheap charging cable that came with your phone.
I’ve found that using an 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter 2 is the "set it and forget it" solution. You plug the dongle into your PC, sync the controller to the dongle, and the PC thinks it’s an Xbox controller instantly. No software, no drivers, no headache. It costs about $20, but for the lack of frustration, it’s a steal.
Dealing with Battery Life and Sleep Mode
One of the biggest wins for using a switch controller for pc is the battery. The Pro Controller lasts for roughly 40 hours. Compared to the 6-8 hours you get on a PS5 controller, it’s like magic.
However, the controller is aggressive about sleeping. If you step away to grab a coffee, it might disconnect. When it wakes up, Windows might not reassign it to the same "slot." Steam usually handles this gracefully, but if you're using raw Bluetooth, you might have to restart your game.
💡 You might also like: Isaac Breath of Life Explained (Simply)
Third-Party Alternatives
We should mention that "Switch Controller" doesn't just mean the official Nintendo one. Brands like 8BitDo, Gulikit, and PowerA make Switch-specific pads that are often better for PC.
The Gulikit KingKong 2 Pro is a personal favorite. It uses Hall Effect sensors for the sticks. This means it uses magnets instead of physical contact points, so it literally cannot drift. It has a dedicated "PC mode" switch on the back. If you’re buying a controller specifically to use on both your Switch and your PC, don’t buy the official one. Buy the Gulikit.
Technical Troubleshooting: The "Ghost" Input
Sometimes, even with everything set up, you’ll see your cursor flying across the screen. This is often "Desktop Mode" in Steam. Steam tries to let you control your mouse with the joystick when a game isn't running. It’s annoying.
To fix this:
- Open Steam.
- Go to Settings > Controller.
- Find "Desktop Configuration."
- Disable everything or set it to a "Disabled" template.
This stops your switch controller for pc from fighting you when you’re just trying to browse YouTube between gaming sessions.
Is it Worth the Hassle?
If you already own the controller, absolutely. The ergonomics are top-tier. The buttons are tactile without being loud. And let's be real—the D-pad is better than the mushy one on the standard Xbox Series X controller.
If you are a competitive FPS player who needs 1000Hz polling rates and specialized back paddles, you’ll likely find the Switch Pro Controller's 125Hz polling rate over Bluetooth a bit sluggish. But for 95% of games—Elden Ring, Hades, Stardew Valley—it’s perfect.
👉 See also: WWE 2K25 DLC Leak: What Most People Get Wrong
Setting Up Your Environment
To get the most out of your setup, follow these steps.
First, update your controller firmware. You have to do this through an actual Switch console in the System Settings. Nintendo doesn't provide a PC-based firmware updater like Sony or Microsoft does. This is a huge oversight, but it's the only way to ensure the internal Bluetooth stack is stable.
Second, if you're using Bluetooth, disable "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" in the Windows Device Manager under the Bluetooth Radio properties. This prevents the PC from cutting the connection during low-intensity gameplay.
Practical Steps to Get Started
Don't just dive in and expect it to work. Follow this order:
- Check your Bluetooth Version: Ensure you are at least on Bluetooth 4.0. If your PC is old, buy a dedicated dongle.
- Use Steam Big Picture: Even if you aren't playing a Steam game, you can add "Non-Steam Games" to your library. This allows you to use Steam’s superior controller overlay for literally any app.
- Calibrate the Joysticks: Use the Windows "Set up USB game controllers" tool to make sure your deadzones are tight. Nintendo controllers often have a wider "center" than Xbox ones.
- Consider a Wrapper: If Steam feels too heavy, download DS4Windows. Despite the name, recent versions support the Switch Pro Controller and provide a very deep level of customization, including lightbar control and macro mapping.
Using a switch controller for pc is a bit like owning a vintage car. It requires a little tuning, a little patience, and the right tools. But once it’s running, the feel of it is unmatched. You get that classic Nintendo build quality with the power of a PC. Just remember to keep your Bluetooth drivers updated and maybe keep a USB cable handy for when the interference gets annoying.
The most important thing is realizing that "DirectInput" isn't a death sentence for a controller. It's just a different language. With Steam or BetterJoy acting as the translator, you have access to one of the best gamepads ever made on the most versatile gaming platform in existence.
Stop letting that Pro Controller gather dust while you struggle with a cheap plastic knockoff. Plug it in, toggle the Steam setting, and get back into the game. Just don't try to play Forza with those digital triggers—you'll end up in a wall on the first turn.