Updated: June 28, 2026 · AceGamer Editorial

TL;DR — If the Nintendo Switch 2 prompts for a controller update, or your AceGamer T50 is not pairing reliably, you can update controllers through the console's own settings: System Settings → Controllers & Accessories → Update Controllers, with the T50 powered on and paired wirelessly. This is done from the Switch 2 itself, not through the USB-C cable — the cable is for charging and wired PC use. Below are the steps, what to expect, and what to do if the update will not run.

When do you need to update?

You do not need to update the T50's firmware constantly or without reason. There are two situations where it is worth doing. The first is if the Switch 2 prompts you that a controller update is available — consoles periodically offer controller updates, and running one keeps things working smoothly. The second is if the T50 is not pairing reliably with the Switch 2, since a controller update or a Switch 2 compatibility update can resolve pairing issues with some third-party controllers. If your T50 is already pairing and playing without trouble and the console is not prompting for anything, there is no need to go looking for an update. In short, update when prompted, or when troubleshooting a pairing problem — not as a routine chore. For background on how the T50 works with the console, see does the T50 work with the Switch 2.

It is worth saying that chasing updates you do not need can cause more confusion than it solves. If everything is working — the T50 pairs when you turn it on, plays your games, and the console has not flagged anything — then there is nothing to fix, and running updates speculatively will not make a smoothly working controller work better. The sensible mindset is reactive rather than proactive here: let the console tell you when a controller update is available, or turn to the update as a troubleshooting step if a pairing problem appears, and otherwise simply play. This keeps things simple and avoids the trap of treating a quick, occasional maintenance task as something that needs constant attention.

Before you start

A little preparation makes the update smooth. Make sure the T50 has some battery charge so it does not run out partway through, and have it ready to pair with the Switch 2. Make sure the Switch 2 itself is connected to the internet and is on a current system version, since controller updates are delivered through the console. You do not need the USB-C cable for this process — the update happens over the wireless connection through the console's settings, and the cable's role is charging and wired PC use rather than updating. Pairing the controller is covered step by step in how to connect the T50 to a Switch 2 if you need it.

To put the checklist in one place: have the T50 charged and ready to pair, make sure the Switch 2 is online and on its latest system version, and set aside a minute or two of uninterrupted time so the controller stays connected throughout. None of this is demanding, but a low battery or an offline console are the two things most likely to interrupt an update, so handling them in advance is the simplest way to ensure it goes through first time. There is nothing else to prepare — no downloads to fetch beforehand, no settings to change in advance, and no cable to locate, since the process runs wirelessly through the console's menu.

How to update the T50 for Switch 2

Controller updates on the Switch 2 are handled in the console's settings. Here is the process.

1. Power on the T50 and pair it with the Switch 2 so it is connected wirelessly. If you are at the pairing screen, that is the "Change Grip/Order" screen.
2. On the Switch 2, open System Settings from the Home menu.
3. Scroll to Controllers & Accessories.
4. Select Update Controllers.
5. The console will apply any available controller update to the connected controller. Keep the T50 powered on and connected until it finishes.

That is the whole process. Because it runs from the console with the controller paired wirelessly, there is nothing to plug in and no separate app needed on the Switch 2 side. Once it completes, the T50 is up to date for the console.

A couple of small pointers make the steps go smoothly. Do the pairing first and confirm the controller is connected — you should be able to navigate the console with it — before going into the settings, since the update function works on a controller that is connected at the time. If you have more than one controller paired, the update applies to the connected controllers, so there is no need to do anything special to single out the T50. And if the console finds no update available, that simply means the T50 is already current for the console, which is a perfectly normal result rather than a sign anything is wrong. There is no penalty for checking and finding nothing to apply.

In other words, running the update is a safe, quick thing to do whenever you are curious or prompted, and a "no update available" result is reassuring rather than disappointing.

Why it's done through the console, not the cable

A common assumption is that you update a controller by plugging it into the console with a cable, but on the Switch 2 that is not how it works, and it is worth understanding why. The Switch 2 delivers controller updates through its own system settings while the controller is connected wirelessly, as part of the console's Update Controllers function. The T50's USB-C port is for charging the controller and for wired play on a PC — it is not the channel for Switch 2 firmware updates. So if you were expecting to connect the cable to the Switch 2 to update, you do not need to; in fact, the update is designed to run over the wireless connection through the settings menu. Keeping this clear avoids a common point of confusion, and it is the same reason the cable is described throughout our guides as a charging and PC connection rather than an update method. For more on the T50's connections, see the T50 compatibility guide.

The reason this confusion is so common is that updating by cable is how many other devices work — phones, some PC peripherals, and certain controllers on other platforms do prompt you to plug in for a firmware update. So it is a reasonable thing to expect. But the Switch 2's controller-update flow is built around the wireless connection and the console's settings, which is more convenient once you know it: there is no hunting for the right cable or worrying about whether the connection is a data connection, you simply pair the controller as you would to play and run the update from the menu. If you ever do connect the T50 to the Switch 2 by cable expecting an update prompt and nothing happens, that is expected behaviour, not a fault — the update lives in the settings menu, not in the cable.

What to expect during and after

The update itself is quick and undramatic. While it runs, keep the T50 powered on and within range of the console, and do not turn it off until the process reports that it is finished. A controller update is a small, behind-the-scenes change, so you should not expect any dramatic visible difference afterwards — its purpose is to keep the controller working reliably with the console, not to add new headline features. After updating, the T50 should pair and play normally, and if you were updating to fix a pairing issue, it should now connect more reliably. It is worth being realistic that a firmware update keeps things running smoothly within the controller's existing capabilities; it does not change the T50's core specifications or add abilities the controller was not designed for. If you are unsure whether the update applied, you can simply check that the controller pairs and plays as expected.

This is worth underlining because some people expect a firmware update to transform a controller, and then feel something went wrong when it does not. Nothing went wrong — a controller update is maintenance, not an upgrade in the sense of new capabilities. The T50's features, compatibility and specifications are determined by its hardware and design, and a controller update keeps those working as intended rather than expanding them. So if you update and the controller feels exactly the same as before, that is the expected and desired outcome: it means the controller was working well and continues to. The only visible difference you might notice is in the specific case where you updated to fix a pairing problem, in which case the improvement is that it now connects reliably. Setting this expectation avoids disappointment and stops people from repeatedly re-running updates in search of a change that a controller update is not meant to produce.

What a controller update does

It helps to understand what you are doing when you run a controller update, because the word "firmware" can sound more intimidating than the reality. Firmware is the small piece of software that lives inside the controller and governs how it behaves and talks to a console. A controller update simply refreshes that internal software, usually to improve reliability or compatibility with the console it connects to. It is not the same as a game update or a system update, and it does not download large files or take a long time — it is a quick, targeted refresh of the controller's own software. For a third-party controller like the T50 on the Switch 2, the practical purpose of a controller update is to keep the controller pairing and behaving correctly as the console's own software evolves. Thinking of it as routine housekeeping for the controller, rather than a major operation, sets the right expectation: it is quick, low-risk when done as described, and only occasionally necessary.

Because firmware sits inside the controller, a controller update is also distinct from anything you do with the controller's settings or an app. Customising buttons, setting up Turbo, or adjusting layouts are configuration changes you make to suit your preferences; a firmware update is a refresh of the underlying software that makes the controller run. The two are independent — updating firmware does not reset your preferences in the way reconfiguring would, and changing your settings does not require a firmware update. Keeping that mental separation helps: the firmware update described here is purely about keeping the T50 working reliably with the Switch 2, and has nothing to do with how you have personalised the controller for your own use.

Why third-party controllers sometimes need an update

Consoles and their controllers are designed to work together, and when a console receives system updates over time, the way controllers connect to it can change subtly. For first-party controllers, the maker and the console are the same company, so updates are tightly coordinated. Third-party controllers like the T50 connect to the same console using standard wireless connections, and occasionally a controller update or a console compatibility update helps them keep pairing reliably as the system evolves. This is not unique to any one brand — it is a normal part of how third-party controllers and consoles coexist, and it is why the Switch 2 includes an Update Controllers function in the first place. The takeaway is not that third-party controllers are unreliable, but that an occasional update is simply part of keeping any controller working smoothly with a console that itself receives updates. Keeping both the console's system software and, when prompted, the controller current is the way to stay trouble-free. For how the T50 pairs and what it supports on the console, see the Switch 2 compatibility guide.

To set expectations honestly, this is also why a brand-new third-party controller occasionally benefits from an update or a compatibility step before it settles into completely reliable pairing — it is meeting a console that has had its own updates since the controller was made. That is a normal part of the ecosystem rather than a defect, and it is usually a one-time thing: once the controller and console are on compatible software, day-to-day pairing is straightforward. The T50 is designed to work with the Switch 2, and the controller-update path exists precisely to smooth over the kind of compatibility wrinkles that any third-party accessory can occasionally meet on a platform that evolves. Treating an early update as routine setup, rather than a red flag, is the right frame.

Troubleshooting the update

If the update does not go smoothly, a few checks usually sort it out. The pattern to follow is to confirm the basics in order — controller paired, controller charged, console online and current — since the great majority of update problems trace back to one of those rather than anything complicated.

The controller does not appear or the update option is greyed out. Make sure the T50 is powered on and properly paired with the Switch 2 before opening the update screen — the console needs a connected controller to update. Re-pair it if necessary and try again. If the controller disconnected while you were navigating the menus, simply reconnect it and reopen the update screen.

The update will not start or seems stuck. Confirm the Switch 2 is connected to the internet and on a current system version, since updates come through the console. Restarting the console and re-pairing the controller can clear a stalled attempt. If it still stalls, give it a short while and try once more, as a temporary network hiccup on the console side can be the cause rather than anything to do with the controller.

The controller turned off partway through. Make sure the T50 is charged before updating. If it powered down due to low battery, charge it over USB-C, then pair it again and rerun the update from the settings menu. Updating with a reasonable charge in the controller avoids this entirely, which is why charging it first is on the short pre-update checklist.

Pairing problems persist after updating. If the T50 still will not pair reliably, make sure the Switch 2 system software is fully up to date, remove and re-pair the controller, and try again. Broader pairing and connection fixes are in T50 common problems and fixes.

If a problem will not resolve after the update, a current console, and re-pairing, it is worth stepping back to confirm the basics one more time: the controller is charged, you are pairing it fresh from the "Change Grip/Order" screen rather than relying on a stale connection, and no other device nearby is pulling the controller away over Bluetooth. Most stubborn pairing issues come down to one of those rather than a fault in the controller, and working through them methodically usually restores a reliable connection. The update is one tool in that process, most useful when the console has flagged a controller update or when a recent system update has changed how controllers connect; combined with a fully updated console and a clean re-pair, it resolves the large majority of Switch 2 pairing problems people encounter with third-party controllers.

Keeping the T50 up to date

There is no need to obsessively check for controller updates. The simplest approach is to run a controller update when the Switch 2 prompts you, and otherwise to leave it alone unless you run into a pairing problem worth troubleshooting. Keeping the Switch 2's own system software current is the more important habit, since console updates can include the compatibility improvements that help third-party controllers pair reliably, and the controller update flow itself lives within the console's settings. Beyond that, the T50 does not require routine firmware maintenance to keep working. If a pairing issue ever appears, the update steps above are one of the first things to try, alongside re-pairing. For the wider setup picture across devices, see the T50 setup and compatibility guide.

It is also worth remembering that the controller update flow is specific to the Switch 2 here, while the T50 is a multi-device controller. On a PC, a phone or a Steam Deck, you do not use the Switch 2's Update Controllers function — those platforms handle controllers in their own ways, and the T50 works with them over Bluetooth or, on a PC, over USB-C, without needing the console's update process. So this particular procedure is something you only do in the context of the Switch 2, and only when prompted or troubleshooting. Across all your devices, the broader habit that keeps any controller reliable is keeping each platform's own software reasonably current; the Switch 2 controller update is simply the console-specific expression of that on Nintendo's hardware. Knowing this prevents any worry that you need to "update" the T50 separately for every device — you do not.

View the AceGamer T50 → · Shop Switch 2 Controllers →

Frequently asked questions

How do I update the AceGamer T50's firmware for the Switch 2?
Pair the T50 with the Switch 2, then go to System Settings → Controllers & Accessories → Update Controllers. The console applies any available controller update over the wireless connection. Keep the controller on until it finishes.

Do I update the T50 with the USB-C cable?
No. Switch 2 controller updates run through the console's settings with the controller connected wirelessly. The T50's USB-C port is for charging and wired PC use, not for updating on the Switch 2.

When does the AceGamer T50 need a firmware update?
When the Switch 2 prompts that a controller update is available, or if the T50 is not pairing reliably and you are troubleshooting. If it is pairing and playing fine with no prompt, you do not need to update.

Will updating the T50 add new features?
No. A controller update is a small change to keep the controller working reliably with the console. It does not add new headline features or change the T50's core specifications.

The Update Controllers option won't find my T50 — what do I do?
Make sure the T50 is powered on and paired with the Switch 2 first, since the console needs a connected controller to update. Re-pair it and try the update screen again.

Does the AceGamer T50 update automatically?
Controller updates are applied through the Switch 2's Update Controllers function when you run it, typically when the console prompts you. Keeping the console's system software current is the main thing to maintain.

Can a firmware update fix T50 pairing problems on the Switch 2?
It can help. A controller update, along with keeping the Switch 2 system software current and re-pairing the controller, can resolve pairing issues that some third-party controllers experience.

Is it safe to update the AceGamer T50?
Yes, when done as described — controller on and charged, console online and current, controller kept connected until it finishes. The main thing to avoid is the controller losing power partway through, so make sure it has charge first.

How long does a controller update take?
A controller update is small and quick, usually a brief process rather than a long download. Keep the T50 powered on and connected until the console reports it is finished.

Do I need the internet to update the T50 for the Switch 2?
Yes. Controller updates are delivered through the console, so the Switch 2 needs to be online and on a current system version for the Update Controllers function to apply anything available.

Where is the controller update option on the Switch 2?
In the console's settings: System Settings → Controllers & Accessories → Update Controllers, with the T50 powered on and paired wirelessly first.

Sources & methodology

This guide describes the Nintendo Switch 2 controller-update process as accessed through the console's settings, applied to the AceGamer T50, whose details reflect AceGamer's finalized specifications. Menu names and console behaviour can change with system updates, so exact wording may vary slightly by version.

• AceGamer T50 Switch 2 compatibility — does the T50 work with the Switch 2.
• Pairing the T50 with a Switch 2 — connect the T50 to a Switch 2.
• Troubleshooting — T50 common problems and fixes.