While you may always play your Switch as a handheld device, there’s nothing like kicking back and repaying Tom Nook on the big screen. That capability is even more significant when you have a group of people that want to play together, and the small screen is not large enough. If your Nintendo Switch is not connecting to your TV, consider a few things before trying to get your gadgets serviced.
Why is Nintendo Switch Not Connecting To TV?
Several reasons why your Nintendo Switch may refuse to connect to the television. Check each potential problem until you locate the source of the problem.
- The Switch is turned on, but the television is set to the incorrect input. It’s easy to ignore which setting the TV is on, especially if it has much of the same information, such as four HDMI inputs. Of course, each will have its number, but getting them mixed up is typical.
- You’re using the wrong cords, or they’re damaged.
- You’ve positioned the Nintendo Switch wrongly in the dock. You can make several changes that may solve your problem.
- Something in the system, whether the AC adaptor or the Switch, needs to be reset.
- Many gamers have reported problems connecting their Switch to televisions, which they were able to remedy the same day. Begin with minor fixes to see if you can get back to playing with your Switch.
How to Repair a Nintendo Switch Not Connecting to the TV
Begin by double-checking all your settings, then move on to the connections. If everything looks in order, concentrate on the Switch and the television in the issue.
Remember that the Nintendo Switch Lite cannot be used as a secondary display when connected to a television. Therefore, these solutions will only work with Switch models that support this type of connection.
The Nintendo Switch connects to your television through HDMI, which supports numerous input kinds. So first, check that you’re using the correct HDMI connection. Connect the HDMI cable between the Switch and the television. Check to see if the HDMI input is identified on the connection on the back of the TV.
Switch on the TV
Press Input on your remote until you search for the same connection as the Nintendo Switch. If they aren’t labeled, move on to step four.
- Begin with HDMI 1 and wait for the TV to load that connection fully. If it’s not the Switch, try HDMI 2. Work your way through each possible HDMI connection, allowing each to load before moving on to the next.
- Keep in mind that switching between connection types on a television or monitor can take some time. Take your time. There is often a visible blink once the connection is established, though this is not always the case.
- If you can’t find a connection with the first HDMI port on the TV, you should try replacing it.
- One port on your TV may be damaged, but that does not mean they are all. After you’ve moved the cable, restart the TV and select the new port as the input.
Change the Resolution of Your TV
Change the resolution if necessary. This option should be available in your menu settings. Check if lowering it slightly makes the Nintendo Switch display visible if you’re on the correct output.
Change the order in which your cables are connected.
For no apparent reason, some customers have discovered that putting cables into the dock in a specific order boosts their odds of a successful connection between the television and the Nintendo Switch.
- Disconnect all cables from the Switch dock, wall socket, and television.
- Connect the power wire to the Switch dock.
- Connect the power wire to a wall outlet.
- Connect the HDMI cable to the Switch’s HDMI Out slot.
- Connect the HDMI wire to the TV’s appropriate input.
- Insert the Switch console into the docking station.
Check to check if the Nintendo Switch appears on the TV screen. Remember that you may need to cycle through the TV input options again to ensure you’re on the correct one.
Examine Your Cables
Third-party cables that aren’t directly from Nintendo aren’t uncommon. However, they will work and work well for many folks.
However, several users have reported problems while utilizing non-standard wires. To control the power on the Switch, you must use an appropriate AC adapter. Some generic cables will not charge the Nintendo Switch at all. If you aren’t using Nintendo cords, be sure the ones you are using are Switch-compatible.
You should also try a different set of connections to see if there is a problem with the wires preventing the console from connecting to the television. For example, a damaged HDMI cable may not be visibly worn but will still fail to function correctly.
Reinstall Your Console
The Nintendo Switch must be positioned appropriately in the dock to function correctly. Many players have inserted the Switch into the port only to discover that it was not connected when they let go. Remove and reseat the handheld unit to see if that was the issue stopping it from connecting to the TV.
- Take the Switch out of the dock. Make sure the port is clean and free of debris. Nothing should be impeding the connection between the console and the dock.
- Examine the Switch ports that connect to the dock to ensure they are clean and undamaged.
- Hold the Switch so that the screen is towards the dock.
- Lower it until it snaps into place. Then, you should be able to feel it settle into the home.
- Reconnect the Switch to the television.
- If the problem was a faulty connection between the Switch and the dock, it should operate with the TV instantly after selecting the appropriate input.
Check the Console and Reset the AC Adapter
Problems with the Nintendo Switch can occasionally be resolved by resetting the AC adapter and ensuring the console is operational. For example, when you can’t get the Switch to connect to the television, Nintendo recommends doing this.
When performing these steps, do not employ any extensions. Instead, only connect outlets, wires, the dock, and the TV directly.
- Switch off the television.
- Take the Switch out of the dock.
- Disconnect all cords from the dock, Switch, television, and wall outlet.
- Unplug the AC adapter from any outlet or device for 30 seconds to reset it.
- Connect the AC adapter to the console and the wall outlet.
- To turn on the Switch, then press the power button.
- Take the AC adapter out of the Switch.
- Connect the AC adapter to the dock.
- Connect the HDMI cable to the dock, then to the TV.
- Turn on the television.
- Insert the Switch into the dock.
- Check that you have the proper input.
If these methods do not fix the Nintendo Switch problem, you may need to experiment with different hardware to determine which system component is at fault.
Reset Your Switch Softly
Soft resetting your Switch can resolve software issues, such as preventing it from connecting to a television. It’s so simple that it’s worth a shot whenever you have issues with this console. First, press and hold the power button until the Switch goes off. It may take some time, so be prepared to hold it down for 15 seconds until it shuts down.
Use the same power button to restart it. You can try to connect all of the connections properly to make the TV connection and then replace the Nintendo Switch in the dock to see if it works.
Examine Other Hardware
Using another TV and dock can assist you in determining the source of the problem. For example, if your Switch can connect to another TV, the issue will likely be with the TV you’re attempting to use. If the Switch cannot connect to another TV, anything about the Switch is likely causing the problem.
To rule out HDMI cables as a source of the problem, use different ones. You should also try borrowing another Nintendo Switch dock to see if it resolves the issue. When the port is damaged, some customers have reported a loss of connection between the Nintendo Switch and the TV.
Unfortunately, most dock damage is not always apparent. For example, problems with the HDMI Out connector may not affect the dock’s other capabilities. You wouldn’t know there was trouble until it failed to connect to an external display.
Make contact with Nintendo.
If you still can’t get the Nintendo Switch to connect to a TV after going through all these steps, you should contact Nintendo regarding a repair. They offer an internet gateway through which you can contact them and begin the procedure.