With great exclusives like Super Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 2, the Nintendo Switch is one of the most successful consoles on the market.
The Nintendo Switch is, for the most part, is a solid and creative console. And is home to one of the best-rated games of all time in The Legend of Zelda and the Super Mario series, but that does not mean it is resistant to technical issues.
We have compiled a list of the most common issues that have befallen Switch owners, ranging from relatively minor cosmetic problems that can largely be overlooked to severe problems that have made the system useless.
We have also provided possible solutions where appropriate. Still, something that requires disassembling a component of your console may exacerbate the problem or void your warranty. If you are having trouble, just follow the steps below, and you’ll be back to playing your favorite Nintendo Switch games in no time.
1. The Screen Has Dead Pixels
The Nintendo Switch has a lot of great features, but it isn’t without flaws. One of the most annoying problems gamers encounter is that the Switch’s screen has dead pixels.
Dead pixels annoy you on any computer, but mainly on portable screens, where they become the center of your attention, mocking your desire for a screen free of flaws.
In the case of the Nintendo Switch, it not only serves to detract from your comfort, but it is also one of the few things that you cannot resolve on your own. It may be the most aggravating issue yet, as Nintendo is currently refusing to acknowledge that it is a valid complaint (but many users believe otherwise).
Nintendo defines dead pixels as “a feature of LCDs” that should “not be considered a flaw,” according to its support page.
That means Nintendo will not be replacing them with warranty claims, and you could be stuck with your faulty screen for the rest of your life.
There are two possible solutions:
Return the Switch to the store from where you bought it. Even though high-end stores are not legally obliged to take back the product if you have already opened the seal, it is worth a shot. You could get lucky and find a sympathetic fellow gamer behind the counter, as we did.
The Consumer Contracts Regulations would offer you an even better chance if you purchased the Switch online. It states that all online purchases can be returned for a period of up to 14 days.
Due to legal complications, you will be protected as long as the seller did not explicitly state that “dead pixels may occur in this product” (or anything similar).
2. The Battery Life is too Short
When playing the most graphically demanding games, you will definitely find the battery life is low due to the horsepower Nintendo has managed to cram into the tiny Switch console. The console would need to be recharged after just a few hours of handheld play in a game like Doom.
Since the AC adapter that came with your device is most likely connected to the dock, you will need to either go behind your setup, remove it, allow the Switch to charge in the port, or buy a second AC adapter.
An external battery pack, such as one for a phone or tablet, is a solution. Be aware, however, that many phone batteries do not have enough power to charge the Switch when it is in use. You can use our comprehensive guide to improve the life of the Nintendo Switch’s battery.
There is another possibility. Third-party accessory companies have developed Switch charging cases that allow you to play the device for more than twice as long as a regular battery would.
3. Switch Won’t Turn On
Some users have stated that their console refuses to turn on. Aside from the apparent flat battery, which we are sure you have already considered, the next step is to perform a hard reset.
Here’s what Nintendo’s support team says about this problem:
“There is a chance that the console has frozen with a black screen. Look at the console in a darkened room and see if any light is coming from the screen. If so, the console has frozen. Hold the POWER Button for 15 seconds or more to turn the console off.
Then, press the POWER Button again to turn the console on again.”
4. The Joy-Cons Stops Working
Disconnection of the left Joy-Con controller, the most well-known of the Nintendo Switch’s problems so far appears to be a fairly widespread issue.
The Joy-Con will randomly detach from the console, which can be particularly frustrating if it results in you failing a successful run in one of the Nintendo Switch’s games.
Nintendo’s decision to place the left controller’s Bluetooth antenna within the circuit board, rather than using a standalone portion that could be positioned optimally, appears to be the source of the issue according to numerous reports and user teardowns.
Nintendo has not made it public, but it appears that the company has developed a workable DIY hack for early adopters. CNET’s analyst spotted a thin piece of conductive foam over the controller’s internal antenna after sending a defective Joy-Con to Nintendo for repair.
It might seem too simple, but the simple addition is said to have resolved the controller’s synchronization problem. There is no official fix for this problem as of yet, but keep an eye out for a foamy solution.
5. The Screen Freezes or Flashes Randomly
In addition to controller issues and issues with the Nintendo Switch and its dock’s physical structure, several users have recorded screen freezes and flashing lights (that can cause horrific seizures in some). They cause the device to blare a high-pitched squeal and can be a frightening experience for someone of a younger age.
The only short-term fix so far has been to perform a “hard reset” of the Switch. It involves holding down the power button for 15 seconds until it entirely shuts down, then turning it back on.
Though this temporarily resolves the issue, affected Switch owners say that the problem reappears shortly after and that a factory reset will not fix the problem.
Conclusion
Nintendo has yet to resolve most of these problems, leaving users to wait patiently for a software update or a product recall that would solve these problems.
We recommend keeping an eye on the Nintendo support page, which posts regular updates on all known issues. Once a solution to some of the aforementioned problems is known, it will be made available on the support page.
