Your Joy-Cons will still work, but you lose bug fixes and may hit problems that newer games won't tolerate

Joy-Con updates are small software patches that Nintendo releases to fix problems, improve how the controllers connect to your Switch, and sometimes add features. If you don't install them, your controllers will keep functioning for games you already own. But new games often require a minimum controller firmware version to run at all — they straightforward won't launch until your Joy-Cons are current. You'll also miss fixes for connection drift, button responsiveness, and battery issues that may already be affecting your controllers.

The real cost of skipping updates isn't when ready. It's the moment you buy a new game six months from now and can't play it because your Joy-Cons are too old. Or the slow creep of connection problems that a single update would have solved two years ago.

Key Takeaways

  • New Nintendo Switch games often won't start until your Joy-Cons meet a minimum firmware version, even if the controllers physically work.
  • Joy-Con updates fix connection drift, button lag, and wireless stability issues that get worse over time if left unpatched.
  • Updates install automatically when your Switch is docked and connected to the internet, so you don't have to do anything manually.
  • If you ignore updates long enough, you may find yourself unable to play recently released games without updating first.

Why games won't start without current Joy-Con firmware

Nintendo builds new games with the assumption that your controllers have certain features and stability fixes. When you try to launch a game that requires Joy-Con firmware version 3.50 or higher, and your controllers are stuck on version 3.40, the game detects the mismatch and refuses to start. This isn't a punishment — it's a safety measure. Older firmware versions sometimes have bugs that cause the game to crash, lose input data, or behave unpredictably during play.

The further behind you fall, the more games become unplayable. A game released in 2024 might require firmware from mid-2023. If you haven't updated since 2021, you could be locked out of an entire year's worth of releases. Nintendo doesn't usually announce these requirements in advance, so you only discover the problem when you insert the game and the Switch tells you to update.

Connection problems that get worse without updates

Joy-Con drift — where the analog stick registers movement even when you're not touching it — is the most common hardware complaint Switch owners have. Nintendo has released multiple firmware updates specifically to reduce drift by adjusting how the controller reads stick input. If you don't install these patches, you're not fixing the physical wear on the stick itself, but you're also not getting the software compensation that makes drift less noticeable during play.

The same applies to connection lag, button responsiveness, and the controller's ability to stay paired with your Switch during play. Each update refines how the Joy-Con communicates with the console. Older firmware versions have slower response times and are more prone to dropping the connection if you move too far from the dock or if there's wireless interference in your home. These problems don't appear all at once — they accumulate slowly, making your controllers feel less responsive over months of use.

How to check your current Joy-Con firmware version

Open the Switch home menu and go to System Settings. Select Controllers and Sensors, then Update Controllers. The system will scan your Joy-Cons and show you the current firmware version for each one, along with whether an update is available. If an update exists, you can start it from this screen.

The update process takes a few minutes. Keep your Joy-Cons connected to the Switch (either docked or in handheld mode) and don't disconnect them until the update finishes. The screen will show a progress bar and tell you when it's done.

Updates happen automatically if you leave your Switch docked

You don't have to manually check for Joy-Con updates. If your Switch is docked, powered on, and connected to the internet, it will automatically read and install controller firmware updates in the background. This usually happens overnight or during periods when you're not actively playing. You might see a notification that an update is in progress, but you can ignore it and keep using your console.

The only time you need to manually update is if you primarily use your Switch in handheld mode and rarely dock it. In that case, docking it for an hour or two once a month will catch you up on any pending updates.

What to do if a game won't start because of Joy-Con firmware

The Switch will tell you exactly what's wrong: "This software requires an updated controller." At that point, you have one option — update the Joy-Cons. Go to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers and let the update finish. It usually takes five to ten minutes. After that, the game will launch normally.

This is frustrating if you're ready to play right now, but it's a one-time fix. Once your Joy-Cons are current, you won't hit this barrier again until Nintendo releases another major firmware update months later.

The trade-off between staying current and ignoring updates

Staying on top of Joy-Con updates costs you nothing except a few minutes of waiting time. The updates are free, they don't take up storage space on your Switch, and they happen automatically if you dock your console regularly. The downside of skipping them is real but delayed — you won't notice anything wrong until you try to play a new game or until controller drift becomes bad enough to affect gameplay.

If you own your Switch primarily to play older games that you already own, you could theoretically skip updates indefinitely and never hit a problem. But if you buy new games, even occasionally, staying current removes the risk of discovering mid-game that your controllers are too old to play. It's a small investment of time that prevents a larger frustration later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play online multiplayer with outdated Joy-Con firmware?

Yes, as long as the game itself doesn't require a newer firmware version. Some games do, some don't. You'll only find out when you try to launch the game. If it won't start, updating the Joy-Cons will fix it.

Will my Joy-Cons stop working entirely if I don't update them?

No. Outdated firmware doesn't disable your controllers. They'll keep working with games that don't require a newer version. You'll just be unable to play newer releases until you update.

Do Joy-Con updates ever make the controllers worse?

Extremely rarely. Nintendo tests updates before releasing them. The goal is always to fix problems, not create them. If an update causes widespread issues, Nintendo releases a follow-up patch quickly.

What if my Joy-Cons won't update?

Make sure they're fully charged and stay connected to the Switch throughout the update. If the update keeps failing, try restarting your Switch and docking the Joy-Cons again. If it still fails after multiple attempts, the controllers may have a hardware problem unrelated to firmware.

How often does Nintendo release Joy-Con updates?

There's no set schedule. Nintendo releases updates when they have fixes or features to deploy, which might be every few months or several months apart. You don't need to check manually — your Switch will handle it automatically if it's docked and online.