Since the official release of the Nintendo Switch, a growing number of users have been complaining about the pesky left JoyCon controller. What happens is, every now and then, during gameplay, the said controller will lose connection from the Switch console. Thereby leaving users in fits of frustrations while resetting their systems. Fortunately, for anyone who is able-handed, can easily fix the issue with just a length of wire, a soldering iron and a fit of daring-do.
A Youtube user who goes by the name Spawn Wave, was brave enough to dismantle his own Nintendo Switch unit to take a look-see. From his investigation, he found out that the problematic JoyCon controller’s Bluetooth antenna rests right next to a big chunk of the metal housing. This piece of metal is responsible for the signal degradation thereby resulting in poor Bluetooth connection with the main console.
As a quick fix, the user soldered a piece of wire right between the antenna traces and the Bluetooth chip of the left JoyCon controller. Fair warning, though, only do so if you feel very confident about the procedure. Otherwise, you risk voiding the warranty for nothing. As for the length of wire, unfortunately, the user did not specify how long it is. However, a quick Google search will tell anyone that Bluetooth antennas are normally 30mm, according to the base frequency. The Youtube video below shows his theories and how he arranged the makeshift Bluetooth antenna inside the JoyCon controller.
However, for those who are feeling a bit weak-kneed, can follow the set of instructions sent out by Nintendo. First of which is to make sure that the Nintendo Switch is away from any sources of interferences. Also, Nintendo suggests to keep the console well away from volumes of water like an aquarium as well as objects with big metallic bodies.
Other than these instructions, Nintendo has not given any information on whether or not it will be releasing a firmware update. For sure, a simple firmware update on the Bluetooth chip will resolve this issue. Perhaps by increasing the transmit power of the chip by a fraction will make the connectivity problem go away altogether.