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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsUpdate an official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller from the console itself: open System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers, then follow the on-screen prompts. The console must be up to date, and the Pro Controller must be paired and powered on. No computer program or USB cable is required for the firmware update.
If the update stops or fails, Nintendo’s supported recovery is to update or restart the console, reset and wake the controller with its SYNC button, and retry. Persistent failures, failed button tests, or serious pairing problems may require Nintendo service. This procedure is for the official Switch Pro Controller; owners of third-party controllers should use that manufacturer’s support process.
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What this firmware update applies to
Nintendo provides the controller-update procedure for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED consoles. The update is initiated in the console’s settings rather than through a Windows, macOS, or mobile application. Nintendo’s published instructions do not identify a current firmware version, release date, changelog, download file, or expected update duration, so you should not rely on an unofficial version number or a promised feature change.
The procedure assumes an official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Nintendo identifies that controller as model HAC-013, including color and special-edition variants. A different model may use different firmware tools or pairing steps. If your controller is made by another company, Nintendo directs you to that maker for support rather than applying the Switch Pro Controller procedure.
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Pairing information can also be relevant when using a Switch 2, but do not assume every pairing screen or connection detail is identical across Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, and Switch 2. The update instructions described here are the Nintendo Switch-family procedure documented by Nintendo.
Prepare the console and controller
Most failed updates are actually preparation or connection problems. Check these conditions before opening the update command:
- Console software: From HOME, open System Settings > System > System Update. Install any available system update and wait for the console to finish.
- Correct controller: Confirm that the controller is the official Pro Controller model HAC-013. If it is another model, use the controller maker’s instructions.
- Pairing: Pair the Pro Controller to the console before starting. An unpaired controller cannot be selected for this process.
- Power: The controller must be switched on. If it appears asleep, press a face button such as A after pressing SYNC once.
- Stable session: Keep the console powered on and avoid interrupting the settings operation. If several controllers are paired, be ready for them to be handled separately.
A USB cable is not a prerequisite for the firmware update. A cable can still help with charging or with wired-pairing troubleshooting, which is a separate connection issue.
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Turn the controller over and look for its model marking. The official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is identified as HAC-013; this identifier also covers the official color and special-edition versions. A controller that has a similar shape, branding, or button layout is not automatically the same product. If the marking is different, stop using the HAC-013 procedure and consult the controller manufacturer.
This check can save time when the update menu does not list the controller. Nintendo specifically notes that using the official HAC-013 model may resolve a problem caused by another controller model. That does not mean every owner should buy a replacement: an existing HAC-013 should be troubleshot first, and a replacement is only a conditional option when the current model is not the one supported by these instructions.
Update the Pro Controller firmware
- From the console HOME menu, open System Settings.
- Select Controllers and Sensors.
- Choose Update Controllers.
- Leave the Pro Controller paired and powered on while the console checks and applies the update.
- Follow any prompt shown on the console until the operation reports completion.
The supported route is the settings menu on the paired console. Nintendo does not instruct owners to download a firmware file, connect the controller to a computer, install a desktop utility, or open the controller. A cable may be useful for charging or a wired-pairing problem, but it is not part of the required update equipment.
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When more than one controller is paired, Nintendo updates them one at a time. Allow the current controller’s operation to finish before expecting another controller to be processed. If the update stops before completion, return to Update Controllers and try the operation again. The instructions do not specify a standard update duration, so an absence of a published time is not a reason to install an outside tool or interrupt the process.
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If the update stops, fails, or will not start
Use Nintendo’s recovery order rather than repeatedly interrupting the process. The sequence separates a console-state problem from a controller connection problem.
- Make the console current. Open System Settings > System > System Update and complete any available console update.
- Restart a current console. If the console reports that it is already up to date, hold the console’s POWER button for three seconds, select Power Options, and choose Restart.
- Force a shutdown only if necessary. If the console does not respond to the normal restart path, hold POWER for twelve seconds to force it off, then turn it on again.
- Reset and wake the controller. Press the Pro Controller’s SYNC button once. Then press another button, such as A, to wake it.
- Retry the controller command. Return to Controllers and Sensors, select Update Controllers, and run the operation again.
- Escalate if it remains broken. If the same controller still cannot update after the console restart and SYNC reset, Nintendo says the console and affected controller may need service.
Do not treat an interrupted update as evidence that you should install firmware from a website or repeatedly power the controller off during the update. Those actions are not part of Nintendo’s supported recovery path and can make the connection state harder to diagnose.
How to interpret each failure stage
If the controller is absent from the update screen, focus first on model identification, pairing, and power. If the update appears and then stops, retry once through the same menu; if it continues, perform the console restart and SYNC reset in the order above. If the console itself is frozen, use the normal three-second POWER menu first and reserve the twelve-second hold for a console that does not respond.
These stages matter because a controller that cannot be identified has a different problem from one that is identified but fails during the operation. Keeping the symptoms separate also gives Nintendo support useful information if service becomes necessary.
Fix pairing problems before trying the update
The update menu can work only with a controller the console can identify. If the Pro Controller does not appear, concentrate on pairing first rather than repeatedly selecting the update command.
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Verify the model
Look at the markings on the controller. Nintendo’s official Switch Pro Controller is marked HAC-013. Nintendo says replacing a different controller model with HAC-013 may resolve a pairing problem. This is a model-identification step, not a requirement to buy a replacement when your existing HAC-013 is functioning normally.
Wake the controller after a reset
Press SYNC once, then press a normal input button. A controller that has entered a sleep or confused connection state may not respond until it receives that wake input. After it wakes, pair it again using the console’s controller-pairing controls and then retry the firmware command.
Use a cable only for connection troubleshooting
Nintendo’s pairing guidance includes a USB charging cable and suggests trying another USB port or another cable for certain connection problems. The cable is therefore optional troubleshooting equipment for charging or wired pairing; it is not required by the documented firmware-update procedure. Nintendo identifies the official charging cable as model HAC-010.
If you use a cable during pairing troubleshooting, treat a different port or cable as a diagnostic comparison, not as proof that a cable is required for every controller or console. Once the controller is paired and powered on, return to the wireless settings-menu update route.
Keep console differences in mind
The general pairing concepts apply across Nintendo’s console family, and Nintendo also provides pairing guidance that covers Switch 2. However, menu presentation and connection behavior can differ by console model. Use the labels displayed on your own console, and do not assume that a cable or pairing sequence documented for one model is an identical requirement on another.
When a controller is paired but buttons still act incorrectly
A successful firmware operation does not by itself prove that every button or stick is working. If inputs remain wrong, Nintendo’s button-troubleshooting sequence starts with current software and a controller reset.
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- Confirm that the console has the latest system update.
- Confirm that the controller firmware update has been attempted from Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers.
- Press SYNC once, then press a button to wake the controller.
- Open System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Test Input Devices > Test Controller Buttons.
- Press each button shown by the test and compare the on-screen response with the physical input.
The test helps distinguish a game-specific configuration issue from a controller input fault. If a button does not register in the test, or the problem significantly affects play, Nintendo says the controller can be inspected and serviced. Service availability, warranty terms, and the return process depend on your location, so use the Nintendo support route for your region.
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| What you see | Most relevant check | Next supported action |
|---|---|---|
| The update option is unavailable or the controller is not listed | Confirm an up-to-date console, HAC-013 model, pairing, and powered-on status | Update the console, pair or wake the controller, then retry |
| The update stops before completion | Check whether the console and controller remain responsive | Run the Update Controllers command again; if it persists, follow the restart and SYNC-reset sequence |
| The console is frozen during recovery | Normal restart does not respond | Hold POWER for twelve seconds to force shutdown, then turn the console on |
| The controller will not pair | Verify HAC-013 and inspect the connection path | Press SYNC, wake with another button, and try a different USB port or cable if using wired pairing |
| A button remains unreliable after updating | Run Test Controller Buttons | If the input test fails or play is seriously affected, request Nintendo service |
| The controller is made by another company | Nintendo’s HAC-013 procedure may not apply | Contact that controller manufacturer |
What not to assume about the update
- There is no published version number in the procedure. Nintendo’s support instructions explain how to run the update but do not state a current firmware version or a release changelog.
- A cable is not automatically required. Pairing or charging problems may justify trying HAC-010 or another compatible cable, but the documented update route is through the console settings.
- An update is not a repair for every physical fault. A failed button test can indicate a controller problem that requires inspection even when software is current.
- Multiple controllers are not updated simultaneously. The console handles paired controllers one at a time.
- Third-party instructions are different. A controller that resembles the Pro Controller is not necessarily HAC-013 and may need the manufacturer’s own firmware process.
- No purchase is required for the update. The documented process uses the console settings already available on the system. A cable or replacement controller is relevant only to a separate charging, pairing, or model issue.
- No feature or bug fix should be promised without a Nintendo release note. The procedure does not provide a changelog, version identifier, or claim about what a particular update changes.
Costs, replacements, and service decisions
Running the update itself does not call for a purchase. If the controller is not HAC-013, an official HAC-013 Pro Controller may be a conditional replacement, but Nintendo’s guidance does not make buying one necessary when the existing controller is supported and functional. Likewise, HAC-010 is identified as an official charging-cable model for charging or wired-pairing troubleshooting, not as required firmware-update equipment.
When official recovery steps fail, service is the next supported path rather than an unofficial firmware download. Nintendo’s pages do not establish a universal service price, warranty result, turnaround time, or identical service route for every country. Check the Nintendo support options for your location before assuming that a repair or replacement will have a particular cost.
When to stop troubleshooting and request service
Service is the appropriate next step when the console is current, a normal restart or forced shutdown has been completed as needed, the controller has been reset with SYNC and awakened, and a second attempt still fails. The same applies when the controller cannot be identified despite model verification and reasonable pairing checks, or when Test Controller Buttons shows an input fault.
Before contacting Nintendo, note the console model, the controller’s HAC-013 marking, whether the controller appears in the pairing interface, and which recovery steps you completed. This information helps support distinguish an update interruption from a pairing failure or a hardware input problem. Nintendo’s service route and warranty conditions vary by region; use the support options offered for your location.
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- Install the latest console system update.
- Confirm the controller is an official HAC-013 Pro Controller.
- Pair it and make sure it is powered on.
- Run System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers.
- If the operation stops, retry it.
- If it still fails, restart the console, press SYNC once, wake the controller with another button, and retry.
- If pairing or button input remains faulty, test with the console tools and contact Nintendo service when indicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I update my Nintendo Switch Pro Controller firmware?
Update the console first, pair and power on the official HAC-013 controller, then open System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers and follow the prompts.
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Do I need a USB cable or computer?
No. Nintendo’s documented firmware update runs from the paired console settings and does not require a computer application or cable. A cable can help with charging or wired-pairing troubleshooting.
What should I do if the controller update stops?
Return to Update Controllers and try again. If it continues to fail, update or restart the console, press SYNC once, wake the controller with another button, and retry.
How do I restart the Switch when the update problem persists?
Hold the console’s POWER button for three seconds, choose Power Options, and select Restart. If the console does not respond, hold POWER for twelve seconds to force a shutdown, then turn it on.
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Why is my Pro Controller not appearing for the update?
Confirm that it is the official HAC-013 model, paired to the console, and powered on. Press SYNC once and then another button to wake it. For wired-pairing troubleshooting, Nintendo also suggests trying another USB port or cable.
Can I update several paired controllers at once?
No. Nintendo says paired controllers are updated one at a time. Let one operation finish before processing another.
What if my controller is not made by Nintendo?
The HAC-013 procedure may not apply. Contact the controller’s manufacturer for its pairing and firmware instructions.
What if buttons still do not work after updating?
Reset and wake the controller, then open System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Test Input Devices > Test Controller Buttons. If an input fails the test or seriously affects play, request Nintendo service.
Is there a published firmware version or update time?
Nintendo’s procedure does not state a current controller firmware version, changelog, or expected duration, so avoid relying on unofficial numbers or timing claims.
The Bottom Line
For an official HAC-013 Pro Controller, update through System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers after updating the console and pairing the controller. If it fails, retry, restart the console, press SYNC and wake the controller, then retry again. Persistent update, pairing, or button-test failures are a reason to contact Nintendo service.
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