Nintendo Switch JoyCon Drift Issue: Unlimited Repairs in Europe After Pressure, Complaints from BEUC

Nintendo is now offering unlimited repairs for the Switch's JoyCon drift issues but is limited to consoles in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. This is after the massive complaints from the console owners in the region, as well as the immense pressure from the European Consumer Organization (BEUC).

The JoyCon's stick drift issue has been a long-running problem for the famed portable console, with gamers worldwide experiencing these problems since 2017, with no dedicated sure fix in the present.

Nintendo Switch JoyCon Drift: Unlimited Repairs in Europe

Nintendo, the popular Japanese gaming company, has announced that it will be offering unlimited repairs for Joy-Con drift issues in Europe via its Nintendo UK support page.

This may be in response to pressure from the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and numerous complaints from customers. The decision comes after widespread reports of Joy-Con drift, a problem where the joystick on Nintendo Switch controllers becomes unresponsive or registers movements without any input from the user.

This issue is best known for different origins like wear and tear of the controllers, catching dirt and debris inside, or occasional damage on the device.

BEUC has been pursuing Nintendo since 2021 for the massive complaints from gamers, only to achieve this repair program two years later.

How to Apply for JoyCon Repair in Europe?

Nintendo UK's repair scheduling page offers a way to line up one's console for repair, via the company's support website which will create the order to fix the defects or problems in a user's console.

Note that this will only apply to the EEA, UK, and Switzerland regions, for a free fix from the company and address the issue once and for all. If the JoyCon drift issue persists, Switch owners in the EU may enjoy more fixes concerning the issue, courtesy of Nintendo.

Nintendo Switch's JoyCon Drift Issue

Joy-Con drift has been a persistent issue since the launch of the Nintendo Switch in 2017, with many users experiencing the problem on their controllers. The issue has caused frustration among Nintendo Switch owners, as it can negatively impact gameplay and render the controllers unusable.

It was previously regarded that the JoyCon Drift issue would not be addressed in present consoles, even with the release of the Switch OLED version. The Nintendo engineer claimed that the fixed or upgraded and more durable version of the JoyCon would be available in future iterations of the console.

With the new repair policy in place, Nintendo Switch owners in Europe can now have their Joy-Con controllers repaired free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

This move is expected to alleviate the frustration and financial burden experienced by many Nintendo Switch users and highlights the importance of consumer advocacy in holding companies accountable for product quality and customer satisfaction.

Nintendo's efforts to improve the durability of future controllers also demonstrate a commitment to addressing the issue at its root cause. Overall, this development is likely to be well-received by Nintendo Switch owners in Europe and sets a positive precedent for consumer protection in the gaming industry.

Nintendo Switch owners in Europe can now rest assured knowing that their Joy-Con controllers will be repaired without incurring additional costs, ensuring an enhanced gaming experience.