How to remove a stuck Joy-Con strap

Joy Con Strap Upside Down Hero
Joy Con Strap Upside Down Hero (Image credit: iMore)

If you're here right now, you were probably in a rush to play one of the best games on the Switch and heard the click of a Joy-Con strap a little too late. It's unfortunately easy to get these straps clicked on upside down. Luckily, there's a simple way to release the strap from your Nintendo Switch Joy-Con without a ton of tugging and agony. Follow these steps to release your anxiety along with the Joy-Con strap.

Disclaimer: Please use caution when pushing the prongs in. If your flat object is not secured properly it may slip and cause injury.

How to remove a stuck Joy-Con strap

  1. Grab something with a small, flat head like the rounded end of silverware or a very small flat-head screwdriver.
  2. With the light grey strap lock bar pulled down in the unlocked position, place your flat item between the Joy-Con body and the strap where you see the two black prongs on the end.Source: iMore

How to remove a stuck Joy-Con strap: push Joy-Con strap lock down to unlocked position (Image credit: iMore)

How to remove a stuck Joy-Con strap: place flat object between the Joy-Con body and strap where the prongs are seen (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Push the object up toward the prongs, pushing the Joy-Con body away from the strap with one hand.

How to remove a stuck Joy-Con strap: push object toward prongs and away from the Joy-Con body with one hand

How to remove a stuck Joy-Con strap: push object toward prongs and away from the Joy-Con body with one hand (Image credit: iMore)
  1. With the other hand, you should be able to hold the Joy-Con and use your thumb to gently slide the strap off, away from the strap lock. If you don't feel that it is gliding easily you may not have the prong pushed in.

How to remove a stuck Joy-Con strap: Use the other hand to gently slide the strap away from the strap lock and off the Joy-Con

How to remove a stuck Joy-Con strap: Use the other hand to gently slide the strap away from the strap lock and off the Joy-Con (Image credit: iMore)
  1. That's it! Strap 'em back on properly and you're all set.

Unstuck and ready to play

Accidents happen and getting the Joy-Con strap on backwards is incredibly easy to do. I'm thankful that getting it off is fairly simple too. These steps should save you a lot of time and headache and let you get back to the games you love. Just make sure to be as careful as possible when pushing in the prongs as you don't want your hand to slip and cause injury. We want you and your Joy-Cons to be safe.

Alex Huebner
Contributor

Alex has been working with iMore as a Freelance Gaming Writer for three years. You can also find a few articles of hers on Android Central and Windows Central. She regularly covers Nintendo Switch games and accessories as well as iOS game apps. In addition to the Nintendo Switch, you may also find her playing on the PlayStation and PC. When she doesn’t have a controller in hand she likes to spend her time with her husband, son, and dogs, exploring new places, or hiding away with a book (or comic book). A few of her favorite games include the Zelda franchise, Little Nightmares, and Animal Crossing.