6 common Nintendo Switch problems and how to fix them

Whether you're on the go or staying home on a rainy day, the Nintendo Switch® is a great gaming system—both for you and your kids. But like all tech, it can occasionally have some glitches and problems.

That's where we come in. At Asurion, we make tech easy. From fixing your devices to showing you how to get the most out of your gadgets—we've got you covered. Here are some common Nintendo Switch issues and how to fix them, so you can get back to figuring out those shrine puzzles in The Legend of Zelda

Battery drains too quickly

Depending on the games you play, you can get around 4–9 hours out of a single charge (this window is smaller for the Nintendo Switch Lite®). If you notice your battery is draining faster than normal, consider a few potential culprits:

• A bad charger or port. Swapping out the charger or trying a different outlet can help speed up your charging speed.
• Outdated software. Older software could be keeping your battery from charging fully. When connected to Wi-Fi, head to the Home menu and select System Settings > System > System Update.
• Hardware damage. If your charging port or battery is damaged, it can lead to battery drain. If either is the case, you might need an expert to help fix your Nintendo Switch.
• A worn-out battery. Lithium-ion batteries, like the one inside your console, naturally wear out and lose their capacity to charge over time. When a battery reaches the end of its lifespan, the only thing you can do is replace it.

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No space for games

Out of space? We've been there. Don't worry, we can help.

The standard Switch comes with 32GB of storage (the OLED model has 64GB). That means you can download or save just 4–8 games before storage becomes an issue, which isn't ideal.

The console's operating system uses some of that space, too, leaving you with even less to work with. The result: You can easily get stuck in a permanent cycle of download, play, and then delete. To avoid that, we recommend buying a microSD card to expand your storage

Misaligned joy-con controllers

You'll know you've encountered this annoying issue if you've had your character slide across the screen unprompted—costing you a Super Smash Bros. match—or six. Don't worry, we won't leave you hanging. Check out our guide to learn how to tackle Joy-Con™ drift.

Wi-Fi problems

Some games were made to be played with friends, so it's a bummer when your Switch won't connect to Wi-Fi. The good news: Restarting your device is usually enough to get rid of most glitches—including your Wi-Fi connection troubles. To learn more, check out our guide to Switch Wi-Fi issues.

Scratches on the screen

No amount of polishing can buff out a scratch. Unless you're game to replace the screen yourself, letting a Nintendo expert handle the screen repair might be your best bet.

Dead pixels

The only way to fix a Nintendo Switch that has dead pixels is by opening up the console and inspecting the LED lights underneath the screen. This is a complicated process, so we recommend that you take it to a Nintendo expert.