How Do I Use My Switch Pro Controller Without the Dock?
The good news is – you don‘t need the Switch dock to use the Pro controller! The Pro controller can connect directly to the Switch console itself wirelessly or via USB cable for wired play.
Wirelessly Syncing the Pro Controller
Syncing the Pro controller to your Switch wirelessly is a breeze. Here are the steps:
- Go to System Settings on your Switch console
- Navigate to Controllers > Change Grip/Order
- Press and hold the sync button on top of the Pro controller for 3-5 seconds
Once synced, the controller‘s player LEDs will light up. The sync button is located between the left ZL and minus buttons near the USB-C charging port on top.
| Sync Button Location |
|---|
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According to Nintendo Support, this syncing process works whether your Switch is docked or in handheld/tabletop mode, so you can comfortably game with your Pro controller anytime!
The latest Pro controllers (v2) also support wired USB connections for lag-free, high-performance play. But more on that later!
Why Go Wireless?
Gaming wirelessly with the Pro controller gives you flexible setup options. For example:
- Play multiplayer games like Mario Kart with friends using multiple Pro controllers
- Play in tabletop mode with better ergonomics than Joy-cons
- Game from your couch or bed without being tethered by a cable
I prefer my Pro controller over Joy-cons 9 times out of 10. The larger grips and proper D-pad suit my adult-sized hands way better for lengthy gaming sessions. And not being tied down by a wire is liberating!
Pro Controller Battery Life
One concern when going wireless is battery life. But fret not – the Pro controller packs excellent battery life competitive with other premium controllers:
| Controller | Battery Life |
|---|---|
| Pro Controller | 30-40 hours |
| DualSense | 10-12 hours |
| Xbox Series X | 30-40 hours |
So you can expect over a full day or two of gaming per charge. I recommend popping it onto the charger when not in use to keep it topped up. Speaking of charging…
How to Charge Without the Dock
While the dock provides a convenient charging pass-through for Pro controllers, you don‘t need it at all.
The Pro controller charges via USB-C, so you can use:
- A USB-C wall adapter
- Portable battery pack with USB-C output
- USB-C cable connected to computer/laptop
- Third-party charging stand/dock for Pro controller
I use Anker‘s excellent PowerCore Slim 10000 PD battery bank to charge my Pro controller on the go. It fully recharges the battery in around 5 hours from empty.
According to Nintendo, a full charge lasts approximately 30 hours of gameplay. So even at 10 hours of gaming a day, it only needs charging every 3 days or so. Very respectable!
Using Your Pro Controller Wired
Did you know you can also use your Switch Pro controller wired via USB cable?
Benefits of wired mode include:
- Eliminates wireless syncing requirement
- Reduces input lag for competitive/twitch gameplay
- Conserves battery since it draws power via USB
To enable wired communication:
- Go to Controllers in System Settings
- Turn Pro Controller Wired Communication to ON
Then simply connect your controller via USB-C cable. The Switch will automatically default to the wired connection for lag-free inputs!
Do note that wired operation disables NFC readers in supported controllers. But input latency is reduced to almost imperceptible levels in my testing.
Troubleshooting Tips
Like any wireless device, the Pro controller can occasionally have connection hiccups. Try these troubleshooting tips if you face any syncing issues:
- Power cycle controller by pressing Sync then another button
- Toggle Airplane mode on Switch briefly OFF/ON
- Ensure no conflicts from other wireless devices
- Check controller firmware version in System > Controllers
Upgrading to the latest firmware almost always resolves rare connectivity problems for me.
Nintendo supports the controllers incredibly well with updates. My launch unit is still going strong with zero issues to date!
Preventing Controller Drift
So-called "drifting" analog sticks are an annoyance for any joystick-based controller. This manifests as false inputs registering even while the stick is centered.
While not as widespread on Pro controllers, it can still occur. Two things help mitigate drift issues:
- Regularly calibrating sticks via System > Controllers menu
- Using electrical contact cleaner spray on offending sticks
Re-calibration re-centers the input range electrically. And contact cleaner flushes out debris causing false triggers.
I recommend calibrating your Pro controller sticks at least once a month. And always inspect sticks physically for dust/dirt buildup. Compressed air can also help clean them out.
Addressing early warning signs prevents permanent component-level damage. Though Nintendo generously services drift issues past warranty too nowadays.
Closing Thoughts
The Switch Pro controller delivers superb ergonomics and performance for gaming in both handheld and docked setups. Battery life, connectivity, and charging options give you all the untethered flexibility of wireless play. While USB wired mode offers lag-free, efficient gameplay never possible before without bulky dongles.
Fret not if you lack a dock – the Pro controller has all bases covered! Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments below!
