Fastest setup: connect the original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to your PC with a USB-C data cable. For wireless play, hold the controller’s SYNC button, then pair it in Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth. If Windows detects it but your game does not, enable Steam Input.
This guide covers the original Switch Pro Controller (model HAC-013), not the newer Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller 2, whose PC support and behavior should be verified separately.
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What you need
- The original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
- A Windows 11 PC. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, although these steps may still help legacy systems.
- A USB-C cable that supports data for wired play.
- Bluetooth hardware for wireless play. A USB Bluetooth adapter can add it to a desktop that lacks Bluetooth.
- Steam, if you want the easiest compatibility and remapping options for Steam games.
Microsoft’s Windows controller guidance supports both USB and Bluetooth connections for Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers.
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- Turn on the PC.
- Connect the controller directly to the PC with a USB-C data cable.
- Wait several seconds for Windows to detect it.
- Open Steam and go to Steam → Settings → Controller.
- Check the detected-controller list and open Steam’s controller test panel if available.
- Test the sticks, buttons and triggers before launching the game.
USB is the best first setup because it requires no Bluetooth pairing and gives you a clean way to determine whether the controller itself is working. Use a motherboard USB port rather than an unpowered hub while troubleshooting.
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If USB does not detect the controller
- Try another USB port.
- Try another USB-C cable. Many USB-C cables charge devices but do not transmit data.
- Disconnect the controller and reconnect it directly to the PC.
- Restart Windows and Steam.
Windows may identify the controller as Pro Controller, a generic HID game controller, or another input-device name. Successful Windows detection does not guarantee that every game supports its native input format.
Connect wirelessly with Bluetooth
- Press Windows + I.
- Open Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth on.
- Select Add device → Bluetooth.
- Hold the small SYNC button on top of the controller for at least one second, until the player LEDs begin cycling.
- Select Pro Controller, or the equivalent device name, when it appears.
- Wait for Windows to show that it is connected.
- Open Steam and test the controller.
These steps follow Microsoft’s Bluetooth pairing guidance. Nintendo also documents the SYNC button in its official pairing instructions.
Turn off or disconnect the Switch, phone or other nearby device that may reclaim the controller. Pairing is also not the same as game compatibility: Windows can report a connected controller while a particular game still lacks a usable mapping.
Make the controller work in Steam
- Connect the controller through USB or Bluetooth.
- Open Steam → Settings → Controller.
- Check the detected-controller list and look for Nintendo or Switch controller support.
- For a problem game, open its controller properties and enable Steam Input, using the available per-game option.
- Choose the default layout or try a community layout.
- Test the layout before starting the game.
Steam’s official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller support includes per-game configurations, calibration, community layouts, gyro bindings and an optional Use Nintendo Button Layout setting. Steam’s wording and menu placement can change, so look for the current equivalent if the labels differ.
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- HD Rumble 2
- Motion controls
- Built-in amiibo functionality*
- Capture Button
- C Button for GameChat**
Why the button prompts may look wrong
The controller’s physical layout is Nintendo-style: A is on the right, B is on the bottom, X is on top and Y is on the left. Many PC games display Xbox-style prompts instead.
A game can receive every button correctly while still showing Xbox letters. Enable Steam’s Nintendo button-layout option where available, but understand that some games only provide Xbox prompts.
What about games outside Steam?
A controller paired with Windows is not automatically supported by every PC game. Many games expect XInput-style input, while the Switch Pro Controller may initially appear as a different HID controller.
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For a non-Steam game, add it to Steam as a non-Steam game and launch it through Steam Input. This can improve mapping, but it is not a guarantee. Restart the game after changing Steam Input settings, and avoid running multiple remapping tools at the same time.
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- Take your game sessions up a notch with the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
- Includes motion controls, HD rumble, built-in amiibo functionality, and more.
- Comes with charging cable (USB-C to USB-A)
Do not assume that gyro, HD rumble, NFC, infrared functions, Capture, or player LEDs will work. Support depends on the game, software, connection method and adapter.
Fix the common problems
The controller does not appear in Bluetooth
- Confirm that Bluetooth is enabled.
- Hold the SYNC button again until the LEDs cycle.
- Turn Bluetooth off and on, then restart the PC.
- Disconnect the controller from the Switch and other nearby devices.
- Charge the controller.
- Check Bluetooth drivers and Windows updates.
- If Windows has no Bluetooth toggle, install a compatible USB Bluetooth adapter.
It appears but will not connect
- Remove the old controller entry from Windows Bluetooth devices.
- Restart the PC.
- Hold SYNC and pair it again as a new device.
- Try USB with a known-good data cable.
Microsoft recommends restarting Bluetooth or the PC, checking battery status, disconnecting other paired devices and trying another cable or USB port. Nintendo’s synchronization troubleshooting page identifies the original controller as model HAC-013.
Windows sees it, but Steam does not
- Disconnect and reconnect the controller.
- Restart Steam completely, not just the game.
- Remove and re-pair the Bluetooth device.
- Try USB.
- Close other controller utilities that may be intercepting input.
Steam sees it, but the game does not
- Enable Steam Input for that game.
- Try the default or a community layout.
- Restart the game.
- Check whether the game requires XInput-style input.
It works, but the buttons are wrong
Enable Use Nintendo Button Layout in Steam where available. If the game still displays Xbox prompts, the controller may nevertheless be working normally.
USB works but Bluetooth does not
Use USB as the diagnostic baseline, remove the old Bluetooth pairing and try again. If the PC’s built-in Bluetooth remains unreliable, use a different USB Bluetooth adapter or a dedicated controller adapter.
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USB versus Bluetooth
| Connection | Advantages | Drawbacks | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C | Fastest setup, simple diagnosis, no Bluetooth required, charges while playing | Requires a cable and limits movement | First setup and troubleshooting |
| Built-in Bluetooth | Wireless and requires no extra hardware | More pairing steps; compatibility can vary | Everyday wireless play |
| USB Bluetooth adapter | Adds Bluetooth to desktops or replaces unreliable built-in hardware | Uses a USB port and adds hardware | Bluetooth-free or troublesome PCs |
| Dedicated controller adapter | May provide a broader compatibility mode and simpler reconnection | Costs extra and can remove Nintendo-specific features | Compatibility-first setups |
Use one connection method at a time while setting up. Get USB working first, then disconnect the cable before pairing Bluetooth. Nearby paired devices can otherwise create confusion about which host reconnects to the controller.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Dedicated adapter fallback
The manufacturer lists the 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter 2 as compatible with the Switch Pro Controller and Windows. It can be useful when a PC has no reliable Bluetooth, but it is not a universal upgrade.
According to the adapter’s Windows manual, Windows 10 version 1903 or later is required, and its Windows mode does not support motion control, NFC scanning, the IR camera, HD rumble, notification LED or player indicator. Try direct USB or Bluetooth first if those features matter.
Can you use it with the Switch again?
Yes, but you may need to pair or reconnect it with the Switch after using it on the PC. Keep the Switch turned off or disconnected during PC Bluetooth setup so it does not automatically reclaim the controller.
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- This controller also works with Nintendo Switch 2 - C Button not available
- Eight RGB zones with four pre-set modes for dynamic lighting combinations
- Two programmable quick-action back buttons for customizable gameplay
- Built-in motion controls for immersive gameplay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Switch Pro Controller work without Steam?
Windows may detect it without Steam, but game support varies. Steam Input is the easiest compatibility layer for Steam games and can also be tried with non-Steam games added to the Steam library.
Can I connect it wirelessly?
Yes. The PC needs Bluetooth: hold the controller’s SYNC button, then use Windows Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth.
Why does Windows see the controller but my game does not?
The game may not support the controller’s native input format. Enable Steam Input, select a layout and restart the game.
Do gyro and HD rumble work on PC?
Not universally. Support depends on the game, software, connection method and adapter. Some dedicated adapters explicitly disable these features in Windows mode.
Is this guide for the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller 2?
No. These instructions are for the original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, model HAC-013. Do not assume Switch 2 Pro Controller 2 has identical Windows or Steam support.
Quick Recap
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