How to Charge Your Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons

This article explains ways to charge your Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. Depending on the accessories you own, or if you want to continue playing as they charge, you have simple options.

Charge the Joy-Cons While Connected to the Switch

The easiest way to charge the Joy-Cons is by connecting them to your Nintendo Switch. And you can use the dock or the AC adapter that came with your game unit to charge the Switch and controllers. Slide your Joy-Cons into the sides until they click. Then, use one of the following options.

Use the Nintendo Switch Charging Dock

The dock that comes with your Nintendo Switch gives you an easy way to keep everything charged. And it’s ideal if you’re not playing a game to keep the unit in this charger, so it’s ready to go when you are.

Make sure the dock is plugged into an outlet using the AC adapter, your Joy-Cons are attached to the Switch, and then place the unit into the dock.

You’ll briefly see the battery level on the top left of the Switch screen in green. You should also see a green light near the bottom left of the front of the dock.

Use the AC Adapter

If you’re using portable mode, you can charge the unit and Joy-Cons without the dock. Connect the USB plug for the AC adapter into the USB port on the bottom of the Switch. Then plug the adapter into an outlet.

Charge the Joy-Cons with a Charging Grip

The grip that comes with your Nintendo Switch does not offer a charging feature. But you can invest in charging grip sold by Nintendo and other third-party retailers.

Slide your Joy-Cons into the sides of the grip just as you would slide them into the Switch itself. Use the USB connector or an AC adapter to charge the grip, per the manufacturer’s instructions for the accessory.

Depending on the charging grip you purchase, you may see a charging indicator that lights when the Joy-Cons are charging or fully charged

The nice thing about the charging grip is that you can continue to play games when your Joy-Cons charge.

Charge the Joy-Cons with a Joy-Con Charging Dock

Just like the charging grip, you can purchase a charging dock, especially for the Joy-Cons from Nintendo or a third-party seller. What’s great about this accessory is that you can charge more than one set of Joy-Cons simultaneously. You can also find one that can power up a pair of Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller.

Slide your Joy-Cons into the dock and connect the charger via USB cable or power source per the manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on the one you purchase, you may see light indicators for charging and fully charged.

When the Joy-Cons are charged, slide them back into the Nintendo Switch.

Check the Joy-Con Controller Battery Levels

If you’re concerned that your Joy-Cons may be running low on battery, you can check their levels on your Nintendo Switch.

1. On the Home screen of your Switch, tap or navigate to and select Controllers.

2. On the left side, you’ll see the battery levels for each Joy-Con on the unit's left and right. (You’ll also see the battery level for the Switch in the center.) So if those levels are getting low, you might want to give them a charge.

3. Tap Close when you finish.

Stay Charged

It takes approximately 3.5 hours to charge the Joy-Con controllers fully.

You can use what came in the box to charge your Joy-Cons with the Switch or purchase a separate accessory to accommodate either charging while you play or more than one set of controllers.