What the Switch Pro controller tester checks
- A, B, X and Y in the Nintendo positions, and the d-pad.
- L, R, ZL and ZR. ZL and ZR are digital on this controller, so they read 0.00 or 1.00.
- Both sticks with live position, trail, off-center value and stick clicks.
- Minus, Plus, Home and Capture.
- Rumble in browsers that support it.
Many third-party controllers made for the Switch also work, as long as they connect to the computer as a Pro Controller.
How to connect a Switch Pro Controller to a computer
USB-C cable
Plug it in with a data cable. On some systems the controller needs a moment before it reports input; press a button after a few seconds. If Steam is running, it may take over the controller, so close it for the test.
Bluetooth
- Hold the small sync button on the top edge, next to the USB-C port, until the four player lights run back and forth.
- Open the Bluetooth settings on your computer and add a device.
- Select Pro Controller.
To use it with the Switch again, connect it to the console with the cable or the dock once.
Switch Pro button map in the browser
Browsers number buttons by position, not by printed letter. The bottom face button is always index 0, which on a Nintendo controller is B:
| Index | Button | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | B | Bottom face button |
| 1 | A | Right face button |
| 2 | Y | |
| 3 | X | |
| 4 | L | |
| 5 | R | |
| 6 | ZL | Digital: 0 or 1 |
| 7 | ZR | Digital: 0 or 1 |
| 8 | Minus (−) | |
| 9 | Plus (+) | |
| 10 | Left stick click | |
| 11 | Right stick click | |
| 12 | D-pad up | |
| 13 | D-pad down | |
| 14 | D-pad left | |
| 15 | D-pad right | |
| 16 | Home |
This is why games designed for Xbox sometimes ask you to press A and expect the Nintendo B button: the position is the same. The left stick is axes 0 and 1, the right stick axes 2 and 3.
Common Switch Pro Controller problems
Stick drift
Pro Controller sticks drift with wear like any potentiometer stick. Let go and read Off center; above 0.08 is noticeable. The stick drift test gives a timed reading and the range check shows whether the stick still reaches the edge.
Stick calibration
If the off-center value is steady in one direction rather than jumpy, the stored calibration may be off. The Switch console has a stick calibration tool under System Settings, Controllers and Sensors. Calibrate there, then run this test again.
Buttons need extra force
Press each button gently ten times and watch the counter. A button that misses gentle presses has dirty or worn contacts.
No input over USB
Try another cable and close Steam. Some systems only accept the controller over Bluetooth; pair it wirelessly and test again.
What a browser cannot test
The gyroscope and accelerometer, NFC reader, player lights and the detailed HD rumble patterns are not available through the Gamepad API. Buttons, sticks and basic rumble are.
Other controllers
For Xbox controllers use the Xbox controller tester; anything else works in the main gamepad tester.