How to Connect 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 recognize it immediately. Use the cable that came with your Switch controller or any USB-C cable. To use the Switch Pro Controller wirelessly, connect it to Windows via Bluetooth:

How to Set Up a Switch Pro Controller on Steam

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

Why Isn’t My Switch Pro Controller Working With Steam?

The Switch controller works best when you play games in Big Picture Mode directly through Steam. The controls may not work properly if you launch a game from your desktop. To open Big Picture Mode, select the Big Picture icon in the upper-right corner of Steam.

How to Use a Switch Pro Controller With Non-Steam Games

The Switch Pro Controller isn’t compatible with non-Steam games, so you need an adapter. For example, the 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter lets you connect Nintendo Switch and Wii U controllers to your Windows PC. The exact steps depend on which type of adapter you use. Once connected, your computer will recognize the Switch controller as an Xbox controller. A more complicated but less expensive alternative is to use a software wrapper like the TocaEdit Xbox 360 Controller Emulator. These types of programs translate inputs from your Switch controller into Xbox inputs that Windows can understand. This method requires a lot of manual setup, and it isn’t always guaranteed to work with the Switch Pro Controller, so it’s only recommended for advanced users.

Can I Connect Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons to My PC?

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