How to Fix Jammed Nintendo Switch ZR and ZL buttons

Written By: Gabriela Cruz-Pagan
  • Comments: 7
How to Fix Jammed Nintendo Switch ZR and ZL buttons

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

5

Time Required

5 minutes

Introduction

When playing a Nintendo Switch every button serves a specific purpose. If any of those buttons are jammed, it renders your gameplay incomplete. This can become very irritating and inconvenient, but can be quickly fixed. With a screwdriver and a pair of tweezers, your jammed button problems can be fixed. This fix will provide step by step instructions on how to quickly fix your jammed ZR and ZL buttons on your Nintendo Switch controller. These buttons are located one the right and left sides of your console on the controllers. Because they are used so often, they tend to jam and wear down over time. Excessive force when using them can cause them to jam and not come back up, thus creating our problem. In order to fix these jammed ZR and ZL buttons we’re going to following 7 simple steps.

  1. UZWCNJVEJkYShfUU

    • Using the Y00 Tri-Point screwdriver, remove four M1.4 x 5mm screws to loosen the hard plastic back of the Joy-Con.

    My lil brother threw my switch but screen was not broken but the ZL button fell out

    Jarrett Swanson -

    My screw bit won’t work, all it’s doing is destroying the screw

    Nednal404YT -

  2. After the screws are removed, lift the cover to reveal the inside of the Joy-Con and locate the ZL button.

    • After the screws are removed, lift the cover to reveal the inside of the Joy-Con and locate the ZL button.

    • The button exposed could either be the ZL or the ZR depending on which Joy-Con needs to be fixed.

  3. Use <a href="../../home/external_content?url=/en-eu/products/tweezers" class="product-link">tweezers</a> to lift the ZL button a little then pull upwards to get it back into place.

    • Use tweezers to lift the ZL button a little then pull upwards to get it back into place.

    • Once the button is back in place, place the hard cover back on the Joy-Con and screw it back on.

  4. Click the button a couple times to ensure that it's back in place and working.

    • Click the button a couple times to ensure that it's back in place and working.

    • This may either be the ZL or ZR button depending on the Joy-Con being fixed.

  5. WwYvW6TLISvHNBGy

    • Resume gameplay!

Conclusion

After following those 7 steps, your gameplay should return to its original state. If the other Joy-Con also has a jammed ZL or ZR button simply repeat the 7 steps above.

Author

Gabriela Cruz-Pagan

Member since: 03/02/20

471 Reputation

5 comments

My spring on the bottom is bent which is causing it to not work, what should l do to fix it? If you know please tell me!

Joe -

My button problem is the actual button on the flexible circuit board. Where can I get a replacement. It simply unplugs from the main board

Gregory -

Hi @gregory53491, I'm not sure what button you are referring to, but here is a link to our parts store with all of the parts we currently have in stock for the Switch JoyCon. If none of the parts we have currently are what you need, you might try checking eBay for used parts. I hope this helps!

Sarah Westberg -

Sarah,

The button I was looking for looking for is the ZL button, and I found one on Amazon. I needed the actual on/off smd button. The one one the flexible board. When it comes in I'll give a try at writing a how-to. 👍

Gregory -

Hi Gregory! Thanks for the update. I'm glad you found what you needed to complete the repair :)

Sarah Westberg -