my joystick input keeps stuttering, is it the hardware? (s. lite)

When I play something like Animal Crossing and walk, sometimes my character will stop walking, then take teeny stuttery steps, and I have to let go of the joystick and start walking again with another push to continue smoothly.

I use a Switch Lite with thumbgrips, and the issue isn’t consistent. I wanted to know if the issue would have something to do with the hardware itself, or if it’s user error, like maybe me pushing up too far on the joystick would cut off the input somehow?

I don’t even know how I’d begin to perform surgery on my Switch Lite — just knowing if there’s something I can do on my part would give me peace of mind, though! Thank you! :)