Disconnect the Nintendo Switch’s HDMI cable from your TV. If you see the error message below, move the controller around to ensure no other devices are interfering with the signal. You can even do this with the Joy-Con and Switch Pro controllers if you have one. There are some quirks to watch out for, such as when the pairing lights on the Joy-Cons won’t stop blinking. It’s an imperfect solution — not every game will work, no matter what you do. Turn your Nintendo Switch console on by pressing the The 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapteris a $20 Bluetooth adapter that lets you easily connect the Switch Pro Controller, Switch Joy-Cons, or even the Wii U Pro Controller to your PC. The Nintendo Switch footage should automatically expand to fill the entire screen by itself. Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. Be careful not to touch your mouse or keyboard. Many Nintendo Switch controllers are also compatible with a laptop or desktop computer so you won’t need to learn new controls for the most part either. It was specifically designed for Using it requires some gaming savvy, which, to be fair, you probably have if you’re attempting this in the first place. That’s due to the controller APIs in use; the Pro Controller apparently uses DirectInput, rather than the newer API XInput, making it incompatible with many newer games.One method to get around this is to download the freeware program , which translates DirectInput commands for XInput games. Once you have charged controllers, pick up a left and right Joy-Con and get ready to connect it to the Nintendo Switch Lite. The steps are essentially the same as connecting the Joy-Cons, so check the bullet points above for the exact method. With the exception of first-party franchises such as If you find yourself buying console games on PC on a regular basis and you have an Xbox One console, you may want to check out If Elgato’s Game Capture HD software doesn't detect the Nintendo Switch, ensure the HDMI cable is plugged into the capture card’s In port and not the Out port.

Because the Switch Lite has a smaller screen — 5.5 inches, down from 6.2 inches on the Switch — and the controllers are integrated, so the footprint doesn't match. If you plan to connect it for non-Steam gaming, plug in the Pro Controller before and after, especially if it’s your controller of choice for marathon sessions. The instructions in this guide apply to the original Nintendo Switch console and not the Switch Lite. All rights reserved.Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.One reason that so many gamers appreciate the Nintendo Switch is that its Bluetooth technology easily hooks up and connects to nearby PCs. To play your Nintendo Switch on your laptop, you basically use your laptop’s monitor as a TV screen, so you can leave your Nintendo Switch in its dock for the entirety of this setup process. Plug the Nintendo Switch’s HDMI cable into the HDMI In port on your Elgato HD60 HDMI capture … We think the process we’ve described is the best way to go, but if you’re interested, follow the steps Nintendo said shortly after the launch of the Switch that it had corrected future shipments’ connectivity issues, so if you didn’t buy your console when the console launched in 2017 or bought another Joy-Con recently, you’ll likely encounter fewer issues.Copyright ©2020 Designtechnica Corporation. There are several great capture cards to choose from, but Elgato cards are generally considered the best option by gamers due to their affordability, build quality, and ease of use.

Here's how to start using them. For now, we’ll have to wait for the homebrew community to come up with their own methods.One more thing to keep in mind if you connect the controller wirelessly: You can’t charge the Pro Controller while it’s paired via Bluetooth. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency. Any capture card can be used for this process as long as it has a USB-C connection and an HDMI In port.

This entire process can be power intensive, so it’s a good idea to plug both your laptop and Nintendo Switch dock into a power source. It takes a bit more elbow grease to get it working with all your games when compared to an Xbox controller, but it’s a great option if you already own a Switch.Before you connect your Nintendo Switch controller to your laptop or another Android device, you should make sure that you’ve got a Bluetooth receiver, and both objects are relatively close together.