Nintendo Switch won’t turn on? Here’s how to fix it

By
Aanchal Rao
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Nintendo Switch won't turn on? Here's how to fix it

The Nintendo Switch is still a favorite gaming system. Its key feature is that you can play games on the go or on your TV. But, if it stops working and won’t turn on, that’s a big issue. If this happens to your Nintendo Switch, here’s how you can try to fix it.

QUICK ANSWER: If your Nintendo Switch isn’t turning on, first, check if it needs charging. If it’s still not working, try a hard reset by pressing the power button for 20 seconds, then let go and press it again to restart. If nothing else works, you might have to use Maintenance Mode.

How to fix a Nintendo Switch that won’t turn on

Check if the device is charging

It’s common for the Nintendo Switch not to turn on if it’s not charged. It’s important to check, but also test your charger and cable with a different device if possible. Look for any damage like tears or frays in the cords. If you find any, you’ll need to get a new one. And if a cord is turning brown or looks really damaged, don’t use it at all because it could be dangerous and start a fire.

If you’re buying a new charger for your Nintendo Switch that’s not made by Nintendo, make sure it’s good enough for the Switch. The Switch works well with a charger that has USB-C and USB Power Delivery, and an 18W charger can fill it up fast. But, a 25-30W charger is even better for quick charging. For the Switch’s dock, you should use at least a 45W charger.

When you charge your Switch in its dock, make sure it’s placed right. There’s a green light that will flash briefly when you put the Switch in correctly, but this light doesn’t mean it’s charging. To see if the dock is the problem, try charging the Switch with the charger plugged straight into it. If the Switch turns on, then your dock might need replacing.

After you get your Switch charging again, wait a bit before you try to turn it on. It usually takes about 3 hours to fully charge. The more you wait, the more it charges. Also, try not to let the Switch’s battery run out completely in the future.

Perform a hard reset

To fix a Nintendo Switch that won’t respond, you can do a hard reset. Here’s how:

  • Press and Hold: Push down the power button on the top for about 20 seconds.
  • Restart: After that, press the power button once more to turn it on as you normally would.

Use Maintenance Mode

If your Nintendo Switch still won’t start after a hard reset, you can try Maintenance Mode. Here’s what to do:

  • Hold Volume Buttons: Press both the volume up and down buttons at the same time.
  • Press Power: While holding the volume buttons, press the power button.
  • Wait for Maintenance Mode: Keep holding the volume buttons until you see Maintenance Mode on the screen.
  • Update System: Choose “Update system” to fix any software problems that might be causing the issue.

If your Switch is already up-to-date, you can try “Initialize console without deleting save data” to keep your games. But be careful, this will delete everything else like cached files and account details. Make sure you don’t choose “Initialize console” by mistake, because that will erase everything on your Switch.

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Contact customer support for repairs

If your Nintendo Switch is still not working after trying all the previous steps, it could mean there’s a more serious hardware issue. This might include problems like a broken charging port, a battery that doesn’t work, or buttons that don’t respond.

In this case, the best thing to do is to get in touch with customer service to arrange a repair. They can help diagnose the problem and fix your Switch so you can get back to gaming.

People May Ask

Why won’t my Nintendo Switch turn on? 

Your Switch might not turn on if the battery is empty. Make sure it’s charged. If it’s still not working, there could be a problem with the charger or the console itself.

What should I do if my Switch won’t turn on? 

Try charging it for a while with the official charger. If that doesn’t work, press and hold the power button for about 20 seconds, then press it again to turn it on.

Can I use any charger with my Switch? 

It’s best to use the charger that came with your Switch or one that Nintendo says is okay. Other chargers might not work right and could even damage your Switch.

What does it mean if the green light flashes on my dock? 

A green light will flash when you put your Switch in the dock correctly. But remember, this light doesn’t mean your Switch is charging.

What is Maintenance Mode and how do I use it? 

Maintenance Mode can help fix software problems. To enter Maintenance Mode, hold the volume buttons and press the power button. Then you can update the system or reset the console without losing your games.

What if my Switch still won’t turn on? 

If it still doesn’t work, there might be a bigger issue like a broken charging port or battery. It’s time to contact Nintendo’s customer service for help.

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