How to Connect a Nintendo Switch Controller to a PC

How to Connect a Nintendo Switch Controller to a PC.

Keyboard and mouse are fine, but some games are better played with a gamepad. If you have a Nintendo Switch Pro controller, you can connect it directly to your PC.

This is a great option for gamers who want to use a controller but don’t have a PC controller available. It can also be ideal when you play emulated Nintendo games on your computer. Read on to learn how to connect your Switch Pro controller to your computer.

How to Connect a Wired Switch Controller to a PC

Before you begin, make sure you have a working Switch Controller with a full battery and a USB cable for it. You will need to connect it to a USB port on your PC. Complete the following steps to connect the switch controller.

Connect one end of the USB cable to the switch controller (if it is a removable USB cable).

Connect the other end to a USB port on your PC.

Your computer will notify you if it recognizes the connected device. If not, try unplugging the USB and then plugging it back in, or restart your computer if that doesn’t work.

Now you can use your controller with your PC. If you want to use your controller with a program like Steam, we have a section on that below.

How to Connect a Wireless Switch Controller to a PC

If you have a Switch controller that doesn’t require a wired connection, you can also connect it to your PC through the Windows 10 Bluetooth device settings menu. This can be done with both Pro and Joy-con controllers. It’s also a simple process and all you need is a controller and your computer. If your computer does not have built-in Bluetooth, you are using a Bluetooth dongle or adapter.

Here’s how to establish a Bluetooth connection:

On a PC, go to the start menu and search for Bluetooth, and then open the Bluetooth and other devices settings to get to the Bluetooth menu.

Select Add Bluetooth or other device.

Select Bluetooth.

On the Switch controller, press and hold the sync button on the top of the controller until the lights come on.

The controller will appear on your PC as a Pro Controller or something similar. Click on it when it appears.

Once connected, select Done.

Now you can use the Switch wireless controller on your PC.

How to Use a Switch Controller On Steam

If you’re a PC gamer, you probably use Steam to launch and play your games (if not, we’ll also tell you how to use your controller with other programs). Luckily, Steam has a Nintendo Switch Pro. configuration support for these controllers.

Open Steam and select Steam > Settings in the top left corner.

Go to Controller > General Controller Settings.

The Big Picture mode will open and you will see if your connected controller works with Steam. You should be able to use your controller to select options.

From here you can choose which controller layout you want to use via Steam and calibrate it. You can use the Nintendo Button Layout or the layout of other controllers such as the Xbox. Now all you have to do is open the game and start using your controller. However, check your game settings as you may need to enable the controller before using it. Some Steam games don’t support the controller at all.

When you launch a game on Steam, you may also need to configure the controller in that game’s settings. If a Steam game is fully compatible with a controller, the button prompts will usually change based on the type of controller you’re using. You may be able to remap buttons and analog sticks in the game settings.

How to Use a Switch Controller With Non-Steam Games

Steam makes it easy to play games with the Switch controller. But with any non-Steam games or emulators, you will need to use a different method to connect your controller to the game. This will depend on what game you are playing and whether it supports controllers.

You can connect your Switch controller to your computer using the methods above. However, when you’re in a game, you may first need to go to the controller’s settings and tweak it before it’s compatible with what you’re playing.

This can be accessed in most games by selecting “Options” or “Settings” from the game’s main menu. From there, look for the controller setup or configuration option. You can search for your specific game to check if it is compatible with PC controllers.

Play Your PC Games With a Switch Controller

The Nintendo Switch controller is a great option for PC gaming. If you don’t have other options like a Playstation or Xbox controller or a PC controller, the Switch controller will do the job as well. The switch controller is also very easy to set up on your PC, requiring only a USB connection or the use of Bluetooth. If you use Steam, they make it easy to connect your Switch controller to your games.

By following the guide above, you will be able to play your favorite games with your controller in no time.