(last update 10 march 2017)

With way too many reports around the world about the Switch issues and often misleading replies, I felt obligated to collect the most reliable data I could find and share.

This guide has nothing against Nintendo, it’s simply to help Switch owners.

It’s clear the majority of Switch users aren’t affected by most of the issues listed here with an estimated 2 millions initial shipment, boards would simply be filled of reports and clickbait media outlets would banquet on it.

Summary

The Basics

Make it last! (screen, dock, coating & stuff)

Alternative docks/standing solutions

Power Consumption

Wi-Fi Connection Issues

SD Cards

Joy-cons issues

Recovery Mode

Advanced Tips

The Basics

Let’s start with one thing, to get the most of your switch it’s not going to be cheap, Nintendo is first of all a toy manufacturer, and even if they make INTENSIVE TESTS on their products don’t expect unreal standards.

Popular cases are the Wiimotes jackets & strips or the 3DS issues, and others since the N64 era.

Make it Last!

Switch screen Infos & Protection

The console screen is plastic, end of the story, expect it to be easily damaged; so first thing to do, be picky of adhesive screen protectors (I’m not talking about skins) since stuff like bubbles and peeling off corners (examples: 1 and 2) happens quite often.

There are also Tempered Glass ones BUT be aware of how to apply it, while in the dock the console gets quite hot and it can melt the adhesive layer (examples: 1 and 2), it seems that if you wait between few and 24h the layer sets and there are no issues.

So yeah, either way you need to be careful, or kinda lucky, it’s a fact that there are plenty of positive (not detailed) feedbacks about those screen protectors and docks, but atm people who actually detail their situation aren’t them.

Screen Tint for now looks like the less common issue, really, by myself I only did read about like 4–5 reports between worldwide boards, which doesn’t look much like it’s serious:

Dead/stuck/light pixels are sadly something that you may run to, period, even on devices that costs quite more than the Nintendo Switch (example Wacom Tablets, on mine I have 4 light pixels and nothing I can do about it).

You can still try with the local seller where you purchased the unit, if you’re polite there is a chance (also under certain european laws) and the agreements they have with Nintendo.

The Switch Docking station

About the Bent Dock Drama, it’s crystal clear this issue is a mix of design/factory/stocking issues and Nintendo is aware, because it may raise the chance to scratch your screen while docking the console, if you need further examples check this post.

But there are plenty of clips where we saw the Switch sliding in and out without any problem, here’s a clip from neogaf, which after further “testing” ended scratching his unit (so yeah, DO NOT try this)

The issue is there, it’s undeniable that docks can damage the units, but at the same time, it’s not happening to everyone.

Many DIY fixes surfaced, using makeshift or commercial pads, putting a sock, a microfiber cloth or cutting the protective foam from the packaging.

All legit at first but with the chance of gaining dust particles which could do harm or also alter the heat dissipation supposed by Nintendo, or even alter the pressure the console is supposedly built for.

Some resolved by removing completely the plate, other started to put larger objects in the dock to undo the bending (examples 1 and 2).

Others were more drastic and used a USB C extender from the dock, which indeed seems the best way to prevent any damage on the screen and keep the dock functionalities, but pay attention about the brand and their technical details, they must be USB PD (Power Delivery), more details can be found on this article, this impressive list or in this video review.

A safe bet seems to be this one from google.

There is a report about USB-A working too.

Alternative docks/standing solutions

There are plenty of USB-C stands that properly charge the console and are stable, but none are showing the capability of sending the video signal as the official one, so I’ll list what I found so far:

This stand from an user on neogaf.

More to come…

Console surface issues

If you’re familiar with the coated plastic material, decoloring or easily scratched surfaces are something you possibly seen already, again, you can use protection since there are even few reports with the Joycons too.(examples 1 and 2).

And absolutely avoid stickers for now, there are many reports of units damaged with them.

Still, there are pretty ergonomic covers which also gives less strain for your hands if you feel the Joycons are too little, and also a Crystal Case.

Power Consumption

Power banks are amazing tools to raise your playtime on the go, but with Switch’s power consumption and the weirdness of the USB-C standards, again you could be harming your console with the wrong combo, if you have a PRO Controller the cable with it works fine.

On Reddit users listed a spreadsheet where people are adding their results with different power banks, pick the one of your choice.

Check this If you own a RAVPower 26800mAh. And if you’re searching for something very cheap look this one.

About Wall Charger, this thread and this other one have interesting stuff.

Please take also a look about the part about USB-C above, also funnily enough (or not) it’s nature can bring the Switch to charge other devices (examples 1 and 2).

Wi-Fi Connection Issues

Wi-Fi connectivity has been reported to be also a little hit or miss, mostly because of the 2.4 Ghz conflicting with Joy-cons Bluetooth frequency, switching to 5 Ghz seems to help, and do not forget to configure a lower channel, between 1–16 seems best.

Some reports about it here and here

SD Cards

As stated also on the japanese support page, the cards you want to buy are MicroSD UHS-I; and the switch can theoretically take up to 2TB of external storage, and there is a discussion going on Neogaf.

Sandisk did run some speedtests on Zelda, and their results are:

Retail gamecard (18.5 sec)

SanDisk Extreme (18 sec)

Sandisk Extreme Pro (17 sec)

Switch internal memory (15 sec)

Joy-con Issues

It’s clear the left joy-con Bluetooth issue is the most common at the moment, plenty of video around and a lot of websites picking on the story.

Nintendo seems to issues with their Amazon’s shipments too.

So, I have nothing to add about it since Nintendo is accepting back those faulty units with the customer service, and officially encourages people to reach out to them, but still, there are some people that did the trick themselves.

About people getting their Joy-cons stuck with the Wrist Strap, there are plenty of guides around, a video one is here.

It seems some Joy-cons feel loose when attached to the console, obviously someone tried to fix it himself.

Recovery Mode

You may think “why should I do it?”, one reason is that it removes the feed from the eShop (even foreign ones), and the other reason could be a software error that could be making your Switch buggy.

BE AWARE, the customer service doesn’t tell the users about this for now, so perhaps it’s not a completely safe procedure, and you’ll be the only one to blame.

From a thread on gbatemp.

Turn off the Switch fully.

Then press Power and both the volume buttons.

Release when the switch logo appears.

To return, just hold the power button down for 4 seconds.

Console Freeze on Playtime Unlock

This is a little nasty bug, basically once your switch will start displaying your playtime on your home menu, it will possibly make your console freeze, keep the power button pressed until you restart the system and you’re gold.

Advanced Tips

Modding

You guys never cease to amaze me, there are a bunch of talented people out there who spent the time to do stuff like this:

“Augmented” Joycons

Color swapped joy-cons

3D printed working open dock via reddit

Stores around the world

Remember the console is region free, and you can access the JP/EU/etc. stores to get DEMOs and other products unavailable in your country, how to get access to the JP STORE via reddit, as some titles may have english language too.