How to fix a frozen Nintendo Switch


How to fix a frozen Nintendo Switch nintendo switch console

One of the most terrible things that can happen to a gamer is for their Nintendo Switch to freeze. Despite being a flagship portable console, you may often find your Nintendo Switch in a frozen state, so we've put together this guide on how to fix a frozen Nintendo Switch to help.

Thankfully, several methods exist to resolve this issue and return to your gaming session. With that said, here's a helpful guide for you to fix a frozen Nintendo Switch to help you overcome this pesky situation.

While you are here, also make sure to check our guide on how to listen to Spotify on Nintendo Switch. we've got an article on how to download Nintendo Switch games in sleep mode when turned off.

How to fix a frozen Nintendo Switch explained

The first step towards fixing a frozen Nintendo Switch is to reboot it. Hold the power button for at least 12 seconds and press it to turn it on again. This button can be found on the console's top, right next to the volume buttons.

How to Unfreeze Your Nintendo Switch
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If the Nintendo Switch fails to turn on, chances are the battery has completely drained. The solution is to place the console in its dock or connect a USB-C cable to recharge the battery. However, we highly recommended waiting for at least 30 minutes if the battery is completely dead.

Furthermore, removing and re-attaching the Joy-Con controllers can sometimes unfreeze the Nintendo Switch system, as can unplugging and reconnecting a wired video game controller. If the game or microSD card slot is dirty, remove any cards from the slots and check for dirt or dust.

Alternatively, slowly removing the device from the dock and then placing it back in can shock the system out of its bug.

A damaged game card or SD card can also make it challenging for the Nintendo Switch to read the game data and cause crashes and freezes. To avoid card damage, consider purchasing games digitally from the eShop.

If you continue to experience frequent crashes or freezes, try installing a system update, as a previous update may have caused corruption. However, if none of these solutions work, contact the official Nintendo Customer Support service for alternative solutions and ways to fix or replace your console.

If you are looking for more content, then be sure to check out if you can play Steam games on Switch. Apart from this, take a look at how to download Nintendo Switch games in sleep mode when turned off.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Nintendo page.