32 votes

A user on the /r/NintendoSwitch subreddit: "I disassembled a Joycon stick to shed some light on why drifting occurs"

6 comments

  1. [3]
    nothis
    Link
    This is some seriously thorough investigative work into why the left Switch joycon stick tends to drift for so many people. I decided to link the imgur album directly but the accompanying thread...

    This is some seriously thorough investigative work into why the left Switch joycon stick tends to drift for so many people. I decided to link the imgur album directly but the accompanying thread on /r/NintendoSwitch is also interesting. Some of the main points:

    • The joycon pictured saw about 400 hours of use, but the wear seems to differ based on what games you play and such.
    • The joystick parts are probably default parts bought in China made for slim, "mobile" platforms (as is common, even for quality brand controllers).
    • The joystick movement is determined by detecting the electricity from a tiny metal slider sliding on a graphite surface. This surface can rub off, which seems to be permanent, irreversible damage and could cause the detection problems.
    • The reason people report it for the left joycon more so than the right is probably due to the left usually being reserved for the main movement while the right is just for looking around. You just use the left one more (for some reason, this is the first time I came across this perfectly logical explanation)!
    • Here's a comment that kinda disputes the whole theory, pointing out that the rub-off might be intentional as a cushion coating. OP is in contact for further testing, everyone's waiting.
    16 votes
    1. cfabbro
      Link Parent
      That to me is the coolest part of the entire thread... I love our modern age where collaboration between random strangers, potentially continents apart, can take place like this.

      Here's a comment that kinda disputes the whole theory, pointing out that the rub-off might be intentional as a cushion coating. OP is in contact for further testing, everyone's waiting.

      That to me is the coolest part of the entire thread... I love our modern age where collaboration between random strangers, potentially continents apart, can take place like this.

      6 votes
    2. cfabbro
      Link Parent
      Update: https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/b9gdak/i_disassembled_a_joycon_stick_to_shed_some_light/ek6vn2v/ After some further testing and better, close-up shots of the joycon...

      Update: https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/b9gdak/i_disassembled_a_joycon_stick_to_shed_some_light/ek6vn2v/

      After some further testing and better, close-up shots of the joycon circuit, it appears OPs original guess that the black pads are resistors was correct and them getting worn is what causes the drift.

      5 votes
  2. unknown user
    Link
    I love how the second picture shows the board and the yellow connection cables. Makes me think of the way you assemble a device in SHENZHEN I/O, a game by Zachtronics. Loved that game.

    I love how the second picture shows the board and the yellow connection cables. Makes me think of the way you assemble a device in SHENZHEN I/O, a game by Zachtronics.

    Loved that game.

    3 votes
  3. Octofox
    Link
    I had to replace the trigger buttons on a 3ds recently. Disassembly guides on ifixit make it so much easier because you have to know which way to lift things to avoid ripping those ribbon cables.

    I had to replace the trigger buttons on a 3ds recently. Disassembly guides on ifixit make it so much easier because you have to know which way to lift things to avoid ripping those ribbon cables.

    1 vote
  4. Rem
    Link
    But what about multi-track drifting?

    Why drifting occurs

    But what about multi-track drifting?