Nintendo Switch Troubleshooting Guide
On February 25, 2026 By newsroom Topic: Technology Buyers Guide
Having trouble with your Nintendo SwitchNo worries! Here’s a step-by-step guide to fix common Switch issues so you can get back to gaming.
1 Nintendo Switch Won’t Turn On
Problem: The Switch won’t power on, no lights, or the screen is black.
Solution:
Charge the Switch for at least 30 minutes using the official charger.
Check if the charging cable & outlet work (Try another charger or power outlet).
Perform a hard reset:
- Hold the Power button for 15 seconds Wait 10 sec Press Power button again.
Try using the dock to turn it on (Insert Switch into dock & press Power).
2 Switch Stuck on a Black Screen But Has Power
Problem: The console is on, but nothing appears on the screen.
Solution:
Try a force restart:
- Hold Power button for 15 seconds Press Power button again.
Check brightness settings:
- If you see a faint image, press Home System Settings Brightness.
Dock the Switch and check if it works on TV.
3 No Display When Docked (Switch Won’t Connect to TV)
Problem: The Switch screen stays black on the TV.
Solution:
Check the HDMI cable & ports (Try a different HDMI cable & TV port).
Restart the Switch and the TV.
Power cycle the dock:
1. Unplug the dock, HDMI, and power cable for 30 seconds.
2. Plug in the power adapter Connect HDMI Dock the Switch.
Check TV input source – Ensure it’s set to the correct HDMI input.
Try another TV or monitor to see if the issue is with the TV.
4 Switch Won’t Charge
Problem: The Switch isn’t charging, or it charges slowly.
Solution:
Use the official Nintendo charger (third-party chargers may not work properly).
Check for debris in the charging port – Clean gently with a toothpick.
Try charging in the dock & directly via USB-C cable.
Leave it plugged in for at least 1 hour before trying to turn it on.
5 Joy-Con Controllers Not Connecting or Drifting
Joy-Con Won’t Connect
Problem: The Joy-Con won’t sync or disconnects frequently.
Solution:
Detach & reattach Joy-Cons (Slide them off & on until they click).
Reset the Joy-Con:
- Hold Sync Button (small button on side) for 5 seconds Press any button.
Manually pair controllers:
- Settings Controllers & Sensors Change Grip/Order Reconnect Joy-Cons.
Charge Joy-Cons fully (Attach them to the Switch in dock mode for 2 hours).
Joy-Con Drift (Moves on Its Own)
Problem: The Joy-Con cursor or character moves without touching the joystick.
Solution:
Recalibrate the Joy-Con:
- Settings Controllers & Sensors Calibrate Control Sticks Follow the steps.
Update the Joy-Con firmware:
- Settings Controllers & Sensors Update Controllers.
Clean the joystick – Use compressed air or rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab.
If still drifting, consider getting a repair from Nintendo.
6 Switch Freezing or Crashing
Problem: The console freezes on a screen, won’t respond, or crashes mid-game.
Solution:
Force restart the Switch (Hold Power button for 15 seconds Restart).
Check for system updates (Settings System System Update).
Close background apps (Press Home X on each open app).
Delete and reinstall the game (Settings Data Management Delete Software).
7 Game Card Not Recognized
Problem: The Switch won’t read game cartridges.
Solution:
Remove & reinsert the game card – Check for dust or debris.
Restart the Switch & try again.
Clean the game card contacts – Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the metal part.
Try another game card – If another game works, the issue may be with that specific cartridge.
8 Switch Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi
Problem: The Switch won’t go online or has slow internet.
Solution:
Restart the Switch & Wi-Fi router.
Move closer to the router or use a wired LAN adapter (for docked mode).
Forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi:
- Settings Internet Your Network Forget Reconnect.
Change DNS settings for faster speed:
- Settings Internet Change Settings Set DNS Manually Primary: 8.8.8.8 | Secondary: 8.8.4.4.
Check Nintendo’s online status at Nintendo Network Status.
9 Switch Games Won’t Download or Update
Problem: Games get stuck while downloading or won’t update.
Solution:
Pause & Resume the download:
- Home Downloading Game Press X Resume.
Restart the Switch & try again.
Check storage space (Settings Data Management Free up space).
Use a wired internet connection (LAN adapter for docked mode).
Error Codes & Fixes
Problem: The Switch displays an error code on the screen.
Solution:
| Error Code | Issue | Fix |
|-----------------|-----------|---------|
| 2110-3127 | Wi-Fi connection failed | Restart router, check DNS settings |
| 2813-0055 | Nintendo eShop not working | Check Nintendo's online status |
| 2002-3537 | Corrupt game data | Delete & reinstall the game |
| 2101-0001 | System software error | Restart Switch, update firmware |
| 2162-0002 | Console overheating | Clean vents, ensure proper ventilation |
For more error codes, visit Nintendo Support.
Final Nintendo Switch Troubleshooting Tips
Restart your Switch – Fixes most minor issues.
Check for system updates (Settings System System Update).
Reset the console (Last Resort):
- Settings System Formatting Options Initialize Console (Without Deleting Save Data).
Use official accessories – Third-party docks & chargers can cause issues.
Contact Nintendo Support if the problem continues (Nintendo Support).
