The Nintendo Switch is a popular console offering a variety of games that can be played as a standard console with your TV or played portable on the go in handheld mode. Like with any piece of technology there are sometimes times where you encounter unexpected behaviour and need some guidance. Here are some easy solutions for times you need some support with your Nintendo Switch.
The console will not power on.
If you find the console does not power on, then firstly ensure the console has been left to charge for enough time. The console takes approximately 3 hours to charge if there is no battery, so we recommend leaving it to get a full charge before switching on. After this time has passed press the power button to switch on. In the event the console doesn’t switch on from the full charge then try pressing and holding the Power button for 15 seconds to reboot it. If it still does not power on, try a different plug socket or another power supply to ensure the adapter or socket is not causing an issue.
There is no display when docked to use on the TV.
If you are using the Switch in docked mode connected to the TV but you find there is no display, this can be easily resolved. Firstly, ensure the HDMI connection is secure in the docking station and the TV. Next, change the input source on the TV to the correct HDMI source to reflect the port which the Switch is plugged into. If it still has no display, then remove the Switch from the dock and then slot back in to reestablish the connection and get the display working.
There is no display in handheld mode.
If you find there is no display when using handheld mode, try the following steps. You can firstly press the Home button to see if the menu opens. If it does, then try closing the software you are playing and reopening it. If you find it is too dark, you can also adjust the screen brightness via the Settings icon in the main menu. If the console has no display at all, try rebooting the Switch. Press and hold the Power button for 15 seconds to shut it down and restart it.
The console will not connect to Wi-Fi.
Connecting your Switch to the internet is important to take advantage of all the online play options available. If you are unable to connect to the Wi-Fi there are some simple steps you can take to restore connectivity. Firstly, on the network page ensure that you have selected the correct Wi-Fi network and entered the password case sensitive so that any uppercase or lowercase letters are accurate. You can also try rebooting your switch and Wi-Fi router, and then repeat the Wi-Fi connection process again. We also recommend checking for any potential signal disturbance between the console and the router such as other devices close-by or a long distance from the router. In these cases, it is sometimes appropriate to try a Wi-Fi extender to ensure the signal can reach the console.
The joy-cons will not pair.
The joy-cons are essential to operating your Switch and playing your favourite games. If they’re not pairing, it is important to ensure they are fully charged. You can do this by connecting them to the Switch or using a separate charging dock. You can also press the SYNC button to reset the joy-con and then try pairing it with the console again.
The microphone is not working when playing online.
Not all games on the Nintendo Switch can use a microphone. We recommend checking your game is compatible with voice chat. For games such as Mario Kart, voice chat can be accessed using the Nintendo Switch app on a smart device. Other games, such as Fortnite, can use a microphone but you must adjust the in-game settings to allow voice-chat.
Summary
Using these simple steps, you can resolve problems quickly on your console. If you require any further assistance on your Nintendo Switch, visit the support page for your product or consult the Nintendo Customer Support team.