featured image

What to know

  • Connect the controller to a USB port on your PC to play Steam games. Connect via Bluetooth to play wirelessly.
  • To adjust or calibrate your controller, go to Steam > Settings > controllers > General controller settings.
  • For non-Steam games, use an adapter such as the 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter or a software wrapper.

This article explains how to connect a Nintendo Switch Pro controller to a PC. The instructions apply to games for Steam and non-Steam games on Windows.



Connecting a Switch Pro controller to a PC

Steam supports the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, so if you plug the controller into one of the USB ports on your computer, any Steam game should immediately recognize it. Use the cable that came with your Switch controller or another USB-C cable.


Nintendo



To use the Switch Pro Controller wirelessly, connect it to Windows via Bluetooth:


  1. Select Get started in the Windows system tray, then select Settings.


  2. Select Bluetooth and devices.

    In older versions of Windows, go to Devices > Bluetooth and other devices.


  3. Turn on Bluetooth if it’s not already turned on, then select Add device.


  4. Select Bluetooth.


  5. Press and hold the Sync button on top of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller until the lights on the front start flashing.


  6. Select the Pro controller in the list of available devices to connect via Bluetooth.


Setting up a Switch Pro controller on Steam

Once you have connected your Switch Pro Controller to your PC, you can start playing right away. However, for best results, you should adjust and calibrate your controller in the Steam settings.


  1. Open the Steam Client and go to Steam > Settings.


  2. Select in the Steam settings controllerand then select General controller settings.


  3. Select Support for Switch Pro configuration.


  4. Optional, choose Using Nintendo Button Layout to change the button assignment. Steam recognizes the Switch controller as an Xbox controller, so the default button mapping will be different than the letters on the controller.


  5. Under Discovered controllers, choose: Xbox 360 controller. Select to calibrate to calibrate the joystick or select Preferences for more options.


  6. Give the controller a name, turn the vibrate on or off, then select Submit to confirm.


Why doesn’t my Switch Pro controller work with Steam?

The Switch controller works best when playing games in Big Picture mode directly through Steam. The controls may not work properly if you start a game from your desktop. To enter the Big Picture mode, select the big picture icon in the top right corner of Steam.



Using a Switch Pro controller with non-steam games

The Switch Pro Controller isn’t compatible with non-Steam games, so you’ll need an adapter. For example, the 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter allows you to connect Nintendo Switch and Wii U controllers to your Windows PC. The exact steps depend on the type of adapter you are using. Once connected, your computer will recognize the Switch controller as an Xbox controller.


Amazon



A more complicated but cheaper alternative is to use a software wrapper such as the TocaEdit Xbox 360 Controller Emulator. These types of programs translate input from your Switch controller into Xbox input that Windows can understand. This method requires a lot of manual installation and is not always guaranteed to work with the Switch Pro Controller, so it is only recommended for advanced users.



Can I connect Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons to my PC?

It is also possible to use Switch Joy-Con controllers on a PC by connecting them via Bluetooth. Each Joy-Con needs to be synced separately, so you can’t use both Joy-Cons together as one controller like on the Switch, and the motion sensor functionality won’t work on your PC.



FAQ

  • How do I turn off a Nintendo Switch controller?

    To turn off a Nintendo Switch controller, put your Switch to sleep or go to controllers > Change grip/order. On a PC, disconnect the Switch controller or unpair it from Bluetooth.

  • Why is my Nintendo Pro Controller blinking?

    If the LED lights on the Switch Pro Controller continue to blink, it cannot connect to your device. Move closer and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

  • How do I connect a PS4 or Xbox Controller to my Switch?