How long is Joy-Con warranty?

The Nintendo Joy-Con warranty typically lasts for 12 months from the date of purchase, during which Nintendo will repair or replace defective Joy-Con controllers free of charge. Additionally, Nintendo has extended its warranty to cover Joy-Con drift issues even after the standard warranty period has expired, allowing customers to receive free repairs for their Joy-Con controllers regardless of how long they’ve had their Nintendo Switch console.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Warranty Information

1. Is Nintendo still repairing Joy-Cons for free in 2023?: Yes, Nintendo is still repairing Joy-Con controllers for free, even if the issue has been caused by regular wear and tear, as long as it’s a drift problem.
2. Does Nintendo have a warranty on Joy-Cons?: Yes, Nintendo offers a 12-month warranty on its Joy-Con controllers, which covers defects in material and workmanship.
3. Does Nintendo repair broken Joy-Cons?: Yes, Nintendo offers a quick and easy-to-use online repair process for Joy-Con controllers that are no longer working properly.

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

4. Why do Joy-Cons drift so easily?: Joy-Con drift can often be attributed to one of two major factors: software/hardware issues or buildup of dirt and grime under or around the thumb sticks.
5. Why is my Joy-Con acting up?: Ensure your console has the latest system update, the Joy-Con controllers are charged, and try to decrease the distance between the Joy-Con and the Nintendo Switch console.
6. How long do the Joy-Cons last?: The Joy-Con controllers take approximately three and a half hours to fully charge, and when fully charged, the battery duration can last approximately 20 hours.

Repair and Replacement Options

7. Can I send my broken Joy-Con to Nintendo for repair?: Yes, you can set up a repair with Nintendo for your Joy-Con controllers through their website, and they will handle the repairs.
8. Will Nintendo repair Joy-Cons without proof of purchase?: If you are unable to provide proof of purchase, the product will be considered to be outside of your Nintendo warranty, and a service fee will apply for any repair work undertaken.
9. What voids Joy-Con warranty?: The warranty shall not apply if the product is used with products not sold or licensed by Nintendo, used for commercial purposes, modified or tampered with, or damaged by accident, abuse, misuse, or other external causes.

Purchasing and Upgrading

10. How much does it cost to replace a Nintendo Switch Joy-Con?: Nintendo sells individual left and right Joy-cons for $39.99 each, but they are mostly sold out at third-party retailers like Best Buy or Amazon.
11. Why are Joy-Cons so expensive in 2023?: Joycons are expensive to manufacture, as they pack a lot of tech into a small space, and although Nintendo was originally selling them at a loss, parts may have gotten cheaper over time.
12. Do new Joy-Cons still drift in 2023?: Unfortunately, yes, new Joy-Cons can still experience drift issues, and it has been a problem ever since the Switch came out, although Nintendo says it has made some improvements.

Usage and Durability

13. How long do Joy-Cons last before drifting?: On average, with daily use of a few hours, it is probably about a month before the drift starts happening, although there is no expiration time, and it will vary.
14. Are OLED Switch Joy-Cons better?: The OLED Switch works with older Joy-Cons, and its Joy-Cons are the same, which can be both convenient and a bummer that they are not upgraded.
15. Are wobbly Joy-Cons normal?: The Joy-Con controllers will often wiggle ever-so-slightly when locked in place in tablet mode, which is noticeable but will only occasionally affect gameplay by making you stop the game and reconnect the controllers.