A permanent fix for PlayStation and Xbox controllers can experience drift, the Nintendo Switch has become notorious for the problem, which causes the thumbsticks to movement without being handled.
Drift has been a problem for many Nintendo Switch owners, with the issue even causing some games to become unplayable. No matter what title is played with a drifting Joy-Con, players will find their in-game movements imprecise and even broken, with characters moving across the screen without the Joy-Con being touched. Unfortunately, there is no permanent fix for Joy-Con drift, though hardware can be sent directly to Nintendo for repair by filling out an online request form. Earlier this year, the European Consumer Organisation filed a formal complaint against Nintendo over Joy-Con drift, calling for an investigation into the problem.
VK Channel on YouTube may have found the answer, sharing a quick and easy fix for those suffering from Nintendo Switch Joy-Con drift. According to the , the solution is a permanent one, and might be useful for those unable to get help from Nintendo itself. As VK Channel explains, they tried multiple different ways to fix their controllers only to find them merely temporary solutions. They took it upon themselves to find a better way: using a simple piece of cardboard. The believes that the reason drift happens is due to metal pieces around the thumbstick becoming loose over time. When dust and grime is added into the equation, the problem can worsen. They believe adding a small piece of card (around 1mm thick) to the mechanism inside of the shell works to restore pressure and encourage metal seen in newer and tighter Joy-Cons. The full explanation and demonstration, including a look at the official controller patent, can be seen in the video below around the 5:55 mark.
Watch VK Channel's How to Fit Your Joycon Drift Permanently video here.
VK Channel its that while they did have some success with other methods, this is a more permanent solution. The YouTuber says that they initially tried this trick two months ago, commenting that the affected controller has experienced no problems since the card was inserted. Joy-Con drift has affected both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite, though opening up the latter might prove more troublesome than a standard detachable controller. If players are looking to try the trick at home, it's worth noting that opening up some hardware can void manufacturing warranties.
While Nintendo has apologized for Joy-Con drift controversy in the past, it's not clear if a long-term solution is coming. The company is still selling Joy-Cons despite the design flaw, and the problem is now a global issue. Thankfully, players who send their controllers to Nintendo for fixes usually receive them back in just a couple of weeks, though timeframes can vary due to the global pandemic and the country they're shipping from. As of December 2020, Nintendo Switch Joy-Con drift was being investigated by nine countries, demonstrating just how many Nintendo gamers have been affected. Hopefully, some will solve their drift problems using VK Channel's tip.
Nintendo Switch consoles are available now.
Source: VK Channel/YouTube
