Nintendo has announced on its support page that Switch owners in the UK, European Economic Area, and Switzerland are now eligible for free repairs of Joy-Con drift, also known as “responsiveness syndrome.” This policy aligns with other regions like North America, Latin America, and France, and also covers Switch Lite issues.
The company has faced legal challenges over this issue and has introduced a policy for free repairs in some regions, regardless of warranty status. However, Nintendo still has the right to reject free repairs if the fault is caused by unofficial modification or unrelated to the stick defect.
Reports from a former repairs supervisor in the US have highlighted the large volume of Joy-Con controllers arriving for repair, which is said to be “very stressful.” Nintendo has acknowledged that wear and tear of the analogue sticks is inevitable, comparing it to how car tires wear over time.
Nonetheless, increased pressure from consumer groups and the European Union has pushed the company to address the issue.
Nintendo Repair Policy
“Until further notice, Nintendo will not charge you in the European Economic Area (EEA), UK and Switzerland for the repair of the responsiveness syndrome irrespective of whether this is caused by a defect or by wear and tear,” the site states.
“Nintendo takes great pride in creating high-quality and durable products and is continuously making improvements to them. Therefore and until further notice, Nintendo offers to consumers who purchased the respective product in the EEA, UK and Switzerland that repairs for responsiveness syndrome relating to control sticks will be conducted at no charge by official Nintendo repair centres. This applies even if the syndrome is caused by wear and tear and even if the 24-month manufacturer’s warranty provided by Nintendo has expired. The manufacturer’s warranty does not affect any statutory rights which you may have under consumer protection legislation as the purchaser of goods. The benefits described here are in addition to those rights.”
Nintendo Policy
Source: VGHQ.net – Joy-Con drifting issue to be fixed by Nintendo in the UK and EEA, regardless of warranty status
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