Nintendo Switch Won’t Turn On? 6 Easy Repair Methods

You are excitedly pressing the button to power up your Nintendo Switch, eager to embark on the new Zelda adventure. However, instead of that familiar Nintendo logo glowing up in bright red, the display remains horribly dark. However many times you hit the button hoping for an answer, your console is as lifeless as a brick in your hands. The final days are upon us. Society has entered its final descent into chaos.

Well, don’t worry at this point. Power issues are quite frequent with gaming consoles. If you’re patient and conduct a step-by-step investigation, you can resolve the Nintendo Switch won’t turn on issue. Let’s have a look at it, will we?

Why Won’t My Nintendo Switch Turn On?

There are four main causes for why the Nintendo Switch won’t turn on. Chargers may not always be properly connected and can often get damaged due to frequent usage. Examine your cord for any damage and replace it to ensure everything is working as it should.

It might seem obvious, however you should check your battery’s capacity. An easy way to determine whether your battery is dying is if the monitor takes more time than normal to turn on during charging.

Unexpected hardware failures or firmware issues can be the reason your Nintendo Switch won’t turn on. As we update firmware, there are times when it fails to install. If the issue is a hardware malfunction, then this is the worst-case scenario, and you’ll be required to get your Nintendo Switch repaired.

How to Fix Nintendo Switch Won’t Turn On

1. Check the Battery and AC Adapter

Let’s get started by introducing the basics, which are determining if your Switch is powered up. Have you done? Great, now you can begin with an inspection of the cables. Ensure that the AC adapter is properly hooked up to the wall outlet on one end. Do a gentle shake to confirm it’s properly seated.

And if you’re trying to power on the device to function as a handheld device, push the tiny battery button located on the side rail, and then verify if there’s a battery left. If you see the flashing warning of low battery when you press this button, then go ahead and allow your Switch run on charge for at least 30 minutes. You can leave it in the dock until you’re ready to try again. This is the easiest solution to fix the Nintendo Switch won’t turn on issue.

Also read: PS5 Not Turning On? Easily Fix Power Issues at Home

2. Check For Physical Damage

Now is the time to carefully check the AC adapter, console, and your dock for external damage that could cause a power outage. Check for cracks within the housings, bent pins inside the ports, damaged batteries, frayed cables, damage caused by spills, drops, or other debris. Remember, folks, any component defect can block power, even if cables are connected correctly.

You may also examine the small ports and connectors using the magnifying glass or flashlight to gain a better understanding of the device. If you notice any damage around the USB-C port or the USB-C connector, your Switch might require professional repair. You can use a replacement charger/dock for the console to test, which will simplify things infinitely easier, and you can pinpoint the exact problem.

3. Try Different Power Sources

You’ve confirmed that your connections are secure and there’s no physical damage preventing power flow. The next step to troubleshoot is to test your console using various power sources.

The first step is to disconnect the console from the docking, and then remove the HDMI cable. Be sure to leave the AC adapter in. This allows us to supply the power while also avoiding a potentially shady dock middleman. Then try turning the power switch once more and see if it begins to hum.

If the Nintendo Switch won’t turn on directly via your adapter, switch to a different authentic AC power brick if you can access it. Wall adapters can be faulty over time, so making a second attempt will determine if the one you’re using has had issues compared to general Switch problems.

For issues with handhelds, specifically connect your Switch to a Windows or Mac PC with the USB-C cable. This might not seem like a solution. However, computers can transfer plenty of power over USB to help restart a portable device that’s not responding. battery problems due to drained contacts. At this point, if your Nintendo Switch won’t power on multiple power sources, then the internal electronic problem is likely the cause.

4. Update The Operating System

Before assuming that the Nintendo Switch won’t turn on, a simple system software update can help rewrite damaged files, which can prevent the system from starting. Like rebooting a stuck PC by updating the Switch firmware have the possibility of repairing any issues that cause the no-power problem. Connect your console that’s not responding to the AC adapter. Then, press the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons together and hold Power while keeping the buttons in place. This will trigger maintenance mode, which forces an update of the system if power is turned off.

The recovery menu will appear when you’ve successfully. When you’re in there, simply follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the latest OS version via the internet. Let the process continue to run without interruption until it is completed. You might wonder why this process is vital. It’s true, a fresh OS installation rewrites all important system files, which could be infected with bugs, causing the boot to fail.

5. Perform a Hard Reset

If the software update doesn’t solve the Nintendo Switch won’t turn on issue? Resetting the Switch’s hardware could be the best option to take. The first step is to ensure that the cables are still in place. Press the power button for 15 seconds. This hard resets all microchips and components, causing them discharge and then restart fresh. After 15 seconds, release your finger and press the button again to start the system.

If you are unable to get it to jumpstart your device that is in a state of dormancy, unplug everything, leaving the AC adapter disconnected, with the microSD card popped up (if there is one installed). Then hold power for 15 seconds to fully drain any remaining dregs in these circuits.

Also read: Steam Deck Not Turning On? 8 Quick Solutions to Fix It Today

6. Seek Professional Help

We’ll be honest, we’re at the final stage of the DIY diagnostic process this time if your Nintendo Switch won’t turn on. In this case, a repair or replacement is probably required to get it back up and functioning. The first step is to visit Nintendo’s official customer service website and create a repair request for your Nintendo Switch that won’t turn on. Enter your serial number and the purchase date, along with failure indicators, symptoms to check warranty status, and then send your Nintendo.

Be aware of whether your device still falls under the one-year warranty that was included at the time of its launch. If it is, Nintendo will cover the service costs and parts to help bring the Switch back to a healthy state. However, if your Switch is out of warranty, you’ll need to shell out a few dollars for service costs.

Wrap Up: Fix Nintendo Switch won’t turn on

These tips helped you resolve problems with the Nintendo Switch not turning on. We’d love to hear about your experience. Have you had the same issue? Tell us what you did to resolve them. If a repair facility repairs your device, tell us what adjustments or solutions for the Nintendo Switch won’t turn on. Share your experience in the comments below!

FAQs: Nintendo Switch Won’t Turn On