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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Yes—you can connect the original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to a ROG Ally or ROG Ally X over Bluetooth. Pairing it with Windows is only the first step, however: Steam Input may be needed for games, and disabling the Ally’s built-in controller can prevent conflicting inputs.
Quick answer
- Hold the Pro Controller’s small SYNC button beside the USB-C port until its player LEDs cycle.
- On the Ally, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices > Add device > Bluetooth.
- Select Pro Controller or Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
- For games that do not respond, enable Steam Input and, if necessary, disable the Ally’s Embedded Controller.
These instructions apply to the original official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, model HAC-013, not automatically to the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Nintendo identifies HAC-013 in its support documentation.
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Before you begin
- Charge the controller.
- Turn on Bluetooth on the ROG Ally.
- Keep the controller close to the Ally while pairing.
- Temporarily disconnect it from a Nintendo Switch or another device.
- Close controller-remapping software before the first pairing attempt.
- If the Ally is docked, keep a mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen available for Windows navigation.
Microsoft recommends that a Bluetooth accessory be powered on, discoverable, and close to the Windows device during setup. See Microsoft’s Bluetooth pairing instructions.
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Connect the Pro Controller over Bluetooth
1. Wake and charge the controller
Press a face button such as A to wake it. If the LEDs flash briefly and then turn off, charge the controller before trying again. Nintendo’s power troubleshooting guidance recommends charging when the controller will not stay powered.
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2. Enter pairing mode
- Turn on the controller.
- Press and hold the small SYNC button near the USB-C port for at least one second.
- Wait for the player LEDs to cycle or flash.
Do not confuse the SYNC button with the large Nintendo button. The SYNC button is the small pairing control on the controller’s top edge. Nintendo’s pairing instructions specify using this button for at least one second.
3. Add it in Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices.
- Make sure Bluetooth is On.
- Select Devices, then Add device.
- Choose Bluetooth.
- Select the Pro Controller when it appears.
The name can vary with Windows updates and the Ally model. Once paired, Windows should list the controller as connected or paired. That confirms the wireless link—not that every game supports its input format.
Make games recognize the controller
Steam games
Steam is usually the easiest route because Steam Input can translate Nintendo-style controller input for supported games.
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- Open Steam.
- Go to Steam > Settings > Controller.
- Check whether the Pro Controller appears.
- Enable the relevant Nintendo or Switch controller support option shown by your Steam client.
- Launch the game through Steam.
- If necessary, open the game’s controller settings or per-game layout and select a suitable Steam Input layout.
- Restart the game after changing controller support.
Steam’s labels and menu locations can change between client versions, so look for the current Nintendo/Switch controller and Steam Input controls rather than relying on an older screenshot. Steam Input improves compatibility, but it does not guarantee that every title, overlay, or anti-cheat system will behave correctly.
Why the button prompts may look wrong
Nintendo and Xbox-style face-button labels use different conventions. On the Nintendo controller, the physical buttons are arranged as B, A, Y, X; many PC games display Xbox-style A, B, X, Y prompts. The controller can be working normally while the game shows Xbox prompts. Steam Input or the game itself may offer a Nintendo layout, but availability varies.
Non-Steam games
Many Windows games expect XInput, the input standard commonly associated with Xbox controllers. A Pro Controller can therefore show as connected in Windows and work in Steam while being ignored by an Epic Games, Xbox app, Battle.net, or standalone title.
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- Add the non-Steam game to Steam and launch it through Steam Input.
- Check the game’s own controller-selection or input-mode settings.
- Disable the Ally’s embedded controller if the game is selecting the wrong device.
- Close other remappers or virtual-controller tools.
- Restart the game after changing the input path.
Third-party remapping tools should be a last resort: they can cause duplicate inputs or conflict with anti-cheat systems. An XInput-compatible controller is the more dependable hardware choice if you mainly play non-Steam PC games.
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The Ally may continue presenting its built-in controls to the game even after the Pro Controller is paired. ASUS specifically documents disabling the embedded controller when an external controller is not being used correctly.
- Press the Ally’s Command Center button.
- Find the Embedded Controller tile.
- Turn it off.
- Start or restart the game.
- Test the Pro Controller.
The tile name and arrangement can vary with Armoury Crate SE updates. ASUS also documents external-controller settings and game profiles in its Armoury Crate SE guide. Do not disable the embedded controller permanently unless you have a convenient way to navigate Windows; turn it back on when needed.
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Try USB-C if Bluetooth is unreliable
Bluetooth is the simplest general-purpose connection method, but a wired test can remove wireless interference from the diagnosis.
- Use a USB-C data cable, not a charge-only cable.
- Connect the controller directly to the Ally or a compatible dock.
- Wait for Windows to detect it.
- Test it in Steam or the target game.
- If it is not detected, try another cable or USB port.
USB recognition does not guarantee that every Windows game will accept the controller. Cable, dock, driver, launcher, and XInput compatibility can all matter. Nintendo’s USB instructions describe pairing with a Switch dock and should not be treated as a universal Windows-game compatibility guarantee. Nintendo pairing instructions.
Troubleshooting by symptom
The controller does not appear in Bluetooth
- Hold SYNC again until the LEDs cycle.
- Turn Bluetooth off and on.
- Move the controller closer to the Ally.
- Ensure it is not connected to the Switch or another device.
- Remove an old Pro Controller entry from Windows Bluetooth devices and pair again.
- Restart the Ally.
- Install pending Windows and ASUS updates through Windows Update and Armoury Crate.
- Test the controller with another Bluetooth-capable device.
If Bluetooth controls are missing in Windows, Microsoft says the Bluetooth adapter may be missing or its driver may not be installed correctly. Check Microsoft’s Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance.
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Windows says connected, but no game responds
Test it in Steam, try launching the game through Steam Input, disable Embedded Controller, close other remappers, and restart the game. If it works in Steam but nowhere else, the problem is more likely the game’s input standard or launcher than Bluetooth pairing.
Inputs are doubled
Disable all but one input path. Start by turning off the Ally’s Embedded Controller and closing tools such as DS4Windows, reWASD, or BetterJoy if installed. Double input commonly occurs when the game sees both the physical and virtual controller, or when Steam Input and another remapper are active together.
The controller disconnects
Check the battery, distance, Bluetooth interference, and whether the controller is reconnecting to the Switch. Note whether the problem occurs in every game or only one. Try USB-C to separate a wireless problem from a game-compatibility problem.
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It fails through a dock
Test the controller directly with the Ally, try another USB port or data cable, and check whether the dock is supplying power and exposing its USB devices correctly. A dock can add its own cable, power, and hub-compatibility variables.
Which connection method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Wireless and docked play | Some games do not natively accept Nintendo/DirectInput devices. |
| USB-C | Testing, charging while playing, and avoiding wireless interference | Requires a data cable and still does not guarantee game support. |
| Steam Input | Steam games and compatible non-Steam games | Requires Steam-based launching or configuration. |
| XInput controller | Broad native compatibility across Windows launchers | Requires different hardware and may not offer Nintendo’s button layout or features. |
The Ally supports multiple controllers, but the practical number depends on the game, software, and connection types. ASUS says the ROG Ally can support up to four controllers. See ASUS’s ROG Ally FAQ.
What you may actually need
- Already own the controller: Try Bluetooth first.
- Need wired testing: Use a certified USB-C data cable.
- Play on a TV or monitor: Consider an Ally-compatible dock with suitable HDMI, USB, and power-delivery support.
- Mostly play non-Steam games: Consider an XInput-compatible controller rather than buying another Nintendo controller.
A replacement Pro Controller will not change whether a game expects XInput. A Bluetooth adapter is not normally required unless the Ally’s built-in Bluetooth is unavailable or defective.
Quick Recap
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