Is your Nintendo Switch not charging? Rest assured, you are not alone. It can be really frustrating when an expensive piece of electronic equipment is not working as intended.
Unfortunately, the Switch, while otherwise well-received, has been plagued with technical problems since it launched. There are some quick fixes though.
So if your Nintendo Switch is not charging, here are some tips on how to get it back in working order.
Nintendo Switch Not Charging – How To Fix (7 Tips)
1. Clean Charge Port
The first thing to do is to make sure the charging port is clean. Even a little bit of dust and dirt can block the connection and prevent charging.
There are a couple of ways to clean out the charging port. You can use a small toothpick or needle with a piece of cotton on the end, dab the charging port, and scrap out and dust or dirt.
Be careful doing this, if you scrape too hard you can bend the charging pin connectors. It helps to use a few drops of 95% isopropyl alcohol as a cleaning solution.
You can also use pressurized computer duster to clean the port out if you have a bottle handy. Make sure to hold the spray nozzle about 5-6cm away from the port; don’t press the nozzle directly against it.
2. Check If it’s plugged in properly
We know it sounds basic, but you would be surprised how often this idea slips the mind of even veteran console owners.
Just last week I was stressing because my Switch was not charging, but lo and behold, the charging dock was not plugged in properly. It is tricky because it can be hard to tell if the USB-C charging cord is properly plugged into the dock or bottom of the Switch.
3. Reset the AC Adapter
Sometimes all it takes is to just unplug the AC adaptor, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. This resets the adapter and can fix charging problems. Some people report more success if they keep the AC adapter unplugged longer, but Nintendo has neither confirmed nor denied this claim.
4. Try a different charging dock/USB-C cable
If the previous tips did not work, the problem may be your charging dock or USB cable. Try to find another charging dock or cable and see if that works.
If that fixes your issue, then you know the problem is with your charging dock or USB-C cable. Also, check your cables to see if any of them are frayed or worn as that could be the problem.
Another common problem with USB-C chargers is the connector pins get bent, especially if you have a habit of removing the charger by pulling on the cord rather than the connector head. If this is the case, you will probably have to get a new charger.
5. Do a Hard Reset
If your Nintendo Switch still won’t charge, try a hard reset. Hold down the power button for about 10 seconds until the Switch turns off and then hold it for about 10 more seconds. This completely switches off the system, which could fix charging issues.
6. Access Recovery Mode
If that still does not work, hold down the power button along with the volume up and volume down button. Hold them until you see the Nintendo logo on the screen.
This will boot up the console in recovery mode where you can reset the device to factory settings without deleting your save data. Once you exit the menu, plug in your Switch and it should start charging again.
7. Call Nintendo Support
If all of these tips fail, then the problem may be with the console itself. At that point, your best bet is to contact Nintendo customer support to see if they can help. The Switch comes with a 1-year warranty at purchase, so if you have had it for less than a year you may be able to get a new one. However, if your warranty is up, be ready to pay to have the issue fixed.
Conclusions
The Switch is a great piece of gaming tech, but it has been beset by some unwanted technical problems. If you encounter such a problem such as an inability to charge, don’t freak out.
You can likely fix the issue on your own. Just remain calm and follow these tips. If all else fails, you can send your console to Nintendo and have a professional look at it.
Leave a Reply