Unlike many gaming consoles, the Nintendo Switch’s internal components are highly sensitive. Improper handling can easily cause it to fail to power on or charge. For instance, if you haven’t used your Nintendo Switch for an extended period, you might find it won’t turn on.
Don’t worry, we’ll now walk you through all the viable solutions for the “Nintendo Switch won’t turn on” issue, helping you get back to enjoying your games.
How to Fix a Nintendo Switch Not Turning On
The following repair solutions apply to all Nintendo Switch models, including the standard, OLED, and Lite versions.
1. See If Your Nintendo Switch Controller or Console Is Out of Battery
The most common reason why your Nintendo Switch won’t turn on might be very simple: the connected Joy-Con or Pro Controller may be out of battery, preventing the console from booting via the controller. Also, make sure the console itself has sufficient battery charge.
If you’re not using a controller, press and hold the power button on the upper left corner of the console for 1-2 seconds to turn it on.
2. Cool Down the Nintendo Switch
If your Nintendo Switch is making a buzzing noise and won’t turn on, it may be due to the CPU overheating from overload, causing the fan to run at high speed. You can try placing the console in a cool environment to let it cool down, then see if it can power on.
However, if the Switch still won’t turn on after cooling down, its battery might be burned. You can consider switching the battery only or directly getting a new Switch.
3. Fix the Charging Problem of Nintendo Switch
If your Nintendo Switch won’t turn on or charge, there may be a power or charging issue. Check if all charging accessories, such as the charging cable, AC adapter, Dock, and power outlet, are functioning properly and securely connected. For additional troubleshooting steps, see our guide: 7 Fixes for Nintendo Switch Not Charging
4. Force Restart Nintendo Switch
Sometimes, the Nintendo Switch won’t start after a system update; this might be due to a system glitch. A simple way to let it turn back on is to force-restart it.
Press the power button on your Switch console for 20 seconds. Then, shortly press the button once. The Nintendo Switch should be successfully restarted.
5. Restart Switch in Maintenance Mode
If your Nintendo Switch won’t turn on after a hard reset (a force restart), you can try restarting it in Maintenance Mode. This mode is designed for troubleshooting system issues, clearing cache, or performing a factory reset if needed. Here’s how:
- Press and hold Volume Up (+) and Volume Down (-) at the same time.
- While holding the volume buttons, press the Power button once to turn the console on.
- Keep holding the volume buttons until the Maintenance Mode appears.
From here, you can choose to clear the cache, update the system, or initialize the console without deleting save data. These are safe troubleshooting steps and won’t delete your save data. However, choosing the Initialize console option will erase all your data.
6. Contact Nintendo Support
If the issue persists, try contacting Nintendo’s official support to help you locate the source of the issue and address it.
Click the link we provide to find contact information for Nintendo Switch customer support, including SMS, online chat, and phone assistance.
7. Send Switch to Repair
If none of the above methods can get your Nintendo Switch to turn on, it may be caused by hardware issues, such as a broken or damaged battery or a faulty screen.
You can send it to a repair store to fix the problem.
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Potentially Useful Fixes Recommended Online
In addition to the above fixes that we tested, there are some possible fixes for the “Nintendo Switch won’t turn on” issue, based on the experiences of different Switch users.
Blow Into Nintendo Switch’s Charging Port
Sometimes, if your Nintendo Switch won’t power on or charge, you can try unplugging the charger and gently blowing into the charging port. This may work because the moisture in your breath can help establish a temporary connection inside the Switch’s circuitry, allowing it to start charging.
However, please note that this method should not be used frequently, as moisture can cause the Switch’s circuit board to rust.
Wake Up the Switch’s Power Circuit with Low-power, Slow Charging
If your Switch has been unused for a long time, the battery voltage may drop below the level recognized by the power management chip. Using low-power (≤5V) slow charging can gradually restore the battery to a safe voltage and activate the entire system’s circuitry.
Here’s how to do so:
- First, detach the Joy-Con controllers from your Switch console.
- Connect a Type-C cable to a standard older Android phone charger or a computer.
- Use the Type-C cable to gently plug and unplug the Switch console’s charging port a few times, and charge for at least 30 minutes.
Related: How to Stream Switch on Discord With/Without a Capture Card
How to Fix a Nintendo Switch Controller That Won’t Turn On
If your Nintendo Switch controller is not turning on, it might be caused by multiple factors, such as a dead battery or broken hardware. Here are the fixes you can try.
Charge the controller: If your Nintendo Switch’s controller is not turning on, it might be caused by a dead battery. Just charge the controller for several hours and see if it can power back on.
Ensure a secure connection: If your Switch console and controller aren’t securely connected, the controller can’t be charged. You can clean the Joy-Con metal contacts with a dry cloth or alcohol swab, and check the side slot on the Switch console for dust or foreign objects.
Try using a different cable or a standard 5V charger: If your current charging cable or charger is faulty or damaged, your Switch controller may not charge. Use a known working cable and charger to see if it resolves the issue.
Press the Sync button: If your Nintendo Switch controller won’t turn on, it may have automatically entered deep sleep mode. Pressing the Sync button can help you wake up the controller.
Send the controller to repair: If your Nintendo Switch controller still won’t turn on, its hardware might be damaged. Just send the device to a repair store.
Related: How to Fix Stick Drift on Different Controllers? 7 Methods
Conclusion
The “Nintendo Switch won’t turn on” issue is related to various factors, including the charging problem, CPU overheating, and system glitches. The “Nintendo Switch controller won’t turn on” issue is related to similar causes, such as a dead battery, an insecure connection, deep sleep mode, etc.
Hope the solutions in this article work for your Switch.
