The Nintendo Switch, since it is a handheld console at heart, is a pretty robust device meaning it’ll take a few bumps without much trouble.
However, there are some times when the system just fails and you’ll be left without those amazing first-party titles until you get it fixed.
Here, we’ll be investigating the issue of the Nintendo Switch simply not turning on, providing you with some reasons why this might be happening, as well as some potential solutions to the problem.
Some reasons why your Nintendo Switch won’t turn on
There could be a few different reasons why your Switch might not be functioning and these are the most popular which may help you decipher what avenue to go down to get it fixed:
Drained Battery
One of the most common reasons for a non-responsive Switch is a fully depleted battery. When the battery is completely drained, the console may take some time to show any signs of life, even when connected to a charger.
Frozen System
Occasionally, the Nintendo Switch might freeze due to a software glitch or a sudden crash. This can make it appear as if the system is off when it’s actually unresponsive.
Faulty Charging Accessories
If the console isn’t charging correctly, it could be due to a damaged AC adapter, a non-compatible third-party charger, or issues with the dock.
Hardware Issues
In rare cases, the problem could be related to internal hardware, such as the battery, charging port, or other components.
How to Fix a Nintendo Switch That Won’t Turn On
If you think your Switch might be victim to one of the above, here are a bunch of different fixes you can try to breathe life back into it:
Perform a Hard Reset
If you think that your Switch is frozen, a hard reset may resolve the issue nice and quickly.
To do this, hold down the Power Button for around 15 seconds, release, and then hit the Power Button again to turn it back on.
This forces the system to reboot and often resolves unresponsive issues caused by software glitches.
Charge the Console
If the Switch simply won’t turn on and you don’t think it’s a software issue, the battery might be fully drained.
Connect the console to the official Nintendo Switch AC adapter and let the console charge for at least 30 minutes before attempting to power it on.
If the console doesn’t turn on after 30 minutes, try using a different outlet or AC adapter to rule out charging issues.
Check for Faulty Charging Accessories
If the console still won’t charge or power on, it may actually be your charging setup that could be the problem.
Third-party chargers may not provide sufficient power or could damage the system so if possible, stick to the official Nintendo adapter to rule this out.
Look for frayed cables, bent connectors, or loose plugs too just in case it is the charger, not your console.
Boot into Recovery Mode
If the won’t turn on issue still persists, you can try booting into Maintenance Mode to perform a system update or reset.
To get this done, turn off the console completely and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.
While holding these down, press and hold the Power Button until the Nintendo logo appears.
Obviously, if no logo appears on your screen, there will still be a different problem here.
If it does though, a menu where you’re able to choose options like Update System or Restore Factory Settings Without Deleting Save Data to address potential software issues should be on your screen.
Do whatever you need to do here to try and get it solved for good!
Let the Console Cool Down
Finally, overheating can prevent the Switch from turning on.
If the console feels warm, power it down completely and allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes in a well-ventilated area.
Avoid charging or using the console in direct sunlight or hot environments for the time being so you know for sure it is this that is preventing your Switch from turning on.
Contact Nintendo Support
If none of these methods work, the issue might be that the internals need to be looked at and fixed.
If your Switch is under warranty, contact Nintendo Support for a repair or replacement and if you’re not in warranty, find a trusted third-party repair service.
