A Detailed Guide on What to Do When Your Nintendo Switch Won’t Turn On

The Nintendo Switch continues to dominate the gaming landscape. Since its launch, Nintendo already sold over 60 million units worldwide. 

That said, even a successful console like the Switch can hit a few hiccups here and there. Joy-Con drift is a common issue, for example. Replacing a Joy-Con is a reasonable solution but what about more serious concerns?

What do you do when your Nintendo Switch won’t turn on?

Don’t fret, we’ve got a few solutions listed below. Keep on reading to learn how you can fix this issue:

Hard Reset

The first thing you should try is to perform a hard reset. A lot of users don’t know that they can turn off the Switch. Putting it to sleep isn’t a hard reboot!

To turn it off and perform a hard reset, take the Switch and look for the small, circular button at the top left. It’s right beside the volume controls. Press down for 10-15 seconds to perform a proper hard reset. 

If everything checks out and the Switch still has some battery life, the system should turn on. If it doesn’t, proceed to the next option below or bring it to a professional for in-depth repairs. This might be an indication you have a more serious problem, such as a blown power fuse or a broken charger.

Note: once your Switch turns on, you can also perform a hard reset through the Switch’s menu. Simply go to the Settings menu, head down to Power Options, and then select the option to turn the system off. 

You won’t have to turn off your Switch often. It’s best to turn it off when you know you won’t use it for more than a few days.

Charge It

When was the last time you used your Switch? If it’s been a while, you might need to charge it. Your Nintendo Switch won’t turn on because the battery is too low.

Don’t let your Switch go uncharged for too long. Nintendo released a reminder to charge the Switch at least twice a year. Otherwise, it might become unchargeable, meaning you’ll end up with an expensive, inoperable brick.

There are two ways to charge your Switch. 

The first option is to plug it directly to the wall, using the official Nintendo Switch USB-C charger. Simply plug the adapter end to the wall socket and the USB-C end to the bottom of your Switch. The screen should light up and you’ll see the charging indicator at the top right.

Your second option is to dock your Switch. This requires hooking your charger to the dock and then sliding the Switch into the dock, as you normally would when playing the console with your TV. As long as you dock your Switch, it’ll charge.

People with a Switch Lite can’t dock so they have to stick with the first charging option.

Can you overcharge your Switch? The good news is no, you can’t.

Once the battery reaches 100%, the system stops charging and runs using the power current. This makes it suitable as both a portable gaming device and a home console.

Check the Charger

When your Switch won’t turn on or won’t charge, you might need to check your charger. The problem might not be your Switch but with the charger, after all. 

First, start by checking the cable itself. Look for any exposed wires. This can happen if you leave it exposed to rats or other external threats to break the cable exteriors. All it takes is one bad encounter with a rat or hamster for your charger cable to break.

The next step is to check the USB-C end. Look at the pins and check if any of them seem bent or faded out. The latter is a sign of burn damage. 

Does everything look fine and dandy, but your Switch still won’t charge?

Before you lose hope, try to reset the power cycle of your charger. Simply unplug the charger and disconnect the USB-C end from your Switch for half a minute. This should reset the power cycle, so go ahead and connect everything again and test if your Switch will charge and turn on. 

Here’s an additional tip to ensure you don’t suddenly brick your Switch: don’t use third-party USB-C chargers, even official ones for a smartphone. Not all USB-C cables are made the same; some don’t feature 56k Ohm resistors. It’s difficult to discern one from the other so stick with Nintendo-licensed chargers and docks.

Bring It in for Repairs

When hard resets and charging won’t fix your Nintendo Switch issues, it’s time to bring it in for professional repairs.

Keep in mind that a Switch not turning on can be an indication of serious concerns, such as a dead battery or blown up parts inside. A professional can open your system and check it for problems without breaking it further.

Don’t go with any random repair professional! You’ll want one that can boast experience, positive reviews from previous customers, and a low-price guarantee.

Also, make sure you go for a repair shop that already has experience working on a Nintendo Switch. While similar, a Switch is still a different beast compared to something like the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. It runs on hardware commonly found in mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

That’s where we come in!

Nintendo Switch Won’t Turn On? Fix It Now!

Is your Switch not turning on? Don’t panic yet! Try performing a hard reset or go through the different steps to charge it. 

When your Nintendo Switch won’t turn on and neither of the first two methods work, we’re here to give it a look. We’re professionals with the right tools, experience, and reliable skills to get it fixed in no time! We can get your Switch back in tip-top shape!

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us right here and request an estimate! We also repair smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other video game consoles!