Joy con drift makes this game unplayable.

[wednesdaylaw]

I had the upwards drift really bad a while ago and fixed it with electronic cleaner/alcohol. I didn't use a Q tip though, I just lifted the "skirt" of the joystick with some tweazers, sprayed into it, and then moved the joystick in a circular motion for a while, and let it dry. It took a few tries but I'd say it's 95% gone now.

 

[Bugs]

Is the drift something that happens straight out of the box...or does it develop over time? I wonder if the play-style of some people could lead to drift where others have no problem...? I feel like I've heard about people buying brand new joycons that had the problem. So...yeah. Guess I've just been super lucky with all the pairs I own.

My left joycon started drifting about a week after I bought my switch, and I was only playing for a couple hours in the evenings (Super Mario Odyssey)

Recently my right joycon has started to drift too, and I don't even use the joycons anymore I use a controller, so I have no idea how it's started drifting.

 

[coffee biscuit]

I don't think it's drift and more of the way I use my controller, but I just bought an AC pro controller today and my character has been flipping around randomly when terraforming. It keeps happening and I think it might be because I flick the joystick too fast and it makes my character quickly flip around and shovel in the complete opposite direction. Terraforming is already aggravating on it's own and idk how to stop it from happening @_@ I never had this issue with my joycons.

I can't imagine trying to play and terraform while having actual drift.. I hope you can get it fixed soon.

 

[shasha]

I have 2 sets of joy cons and have had them for about 2 years now. One set was already starting to drift before acnh but became too frustrating to use after about a month of playing. Soon, the other set began to drift and I snapped and bought a pro controller! I would definitely recommend, same price as joy cons but much better quality

 

[lemoncove]

I came to mention swapping your left and right sticks in the new button remapping menu, but it’s already been discussed. It can be really helpful when you can’t get a fix for whatever reason.

I’m also hoping it might work preventatively. I have a relatively new pair of joycons that I’m hoping I can save from the drift by playing my games with limited camera movement, like ACNH, with the sticks flipped.

 

[Rosewater]

It was pretty bad in New Leaf, I can't imagine it in this game. Geez

 

[SheepMareep]

I've changed out all of the buttons on my switch prior to acnh coming out and debated on also changingnojt my joycons. It's honestly not *too* difficult to do this. They have them pretty cheap on Amazon if you dont want to buy a pro controller!
Otherwise I say run to walmart and buy a $20 controller

 

[Dewasa]

For all those that have not tried the isopropyl alcohol and qtip method plus have access to them, try it. I just tried it last night and what used to be borderline unplayable is working like new. I did 2-3 rounds of it just to get it cleaned up real good. You really have to get in between that little cover/flap. I let it dry for a couple of mins then use a dry qtip to go over it once more before using it.

Played for a few hours and did not drift once. Normally, I would be drifting 5 minutes into it, even after using the compressed air method.

 

[Brookie]

I'm on my fifth set of joycons after Nintendo has "repaired them" and sent them back in what they claim is working order. They've worked for a day or two, and went back to drifting even worse than before.

I also bought them from a place that runs a one year warranty program, and if there are any issues, you can just exchange them for a new pair, and they will handle the repair/refurb with Nintendo.

Is this place also online?? I'd like the name please.

 

[Piptocrossing]

i bought electric contact wd40 and fixed them that way! there’s lots of guides online

How does this help :0?

 

[Fridaynightcatlady]

I ended up re-mapping the joysticks like others users have mentioned and it certainly works as a temporary fix (at least until the other joycon drifts as well... God help me). But thanks for the suggestions! I just needed to vent a bit.

 

[Melchoir]

My left analog stick drifts endlessly to the left which is really annoying for navigating the menus in AC. However, I'm just sort of living with it right now because I don't want to pay out for a new pair and there's no way to get them repaired right now.

 

[Dewasa]

If you all haven't tried, try the rubbing alcohol/iso alcohol method. Especially if you have some at home and I'm sure everybody have 1 or 2 qtips. Here's a good video on which area to focus on. Do remove your joycon from the console unless you're a Switch Lite user. It'll make it easier to get all around that area.