Nintendo Switch Not Connecting to TV? 12 Ways to Fix

2023-01-06 16:54:00 By : Ms. Linda Luo

Before throwing it at the wall

The Nintendo Switch console is massively popular and generally a simple plug-and-play hybrid device. The focus is on fun without complications that come with PCs or high-end next-gen consoles. House Battery Backup

Nintendo Switch Not Connecting to TV? 12 Ways to Fix

That doesn’t mean the Switch is completely bug-free. Sometimes things go wrong, and one issue players face when they try to “switch” from playing in handheld mode to playing on a TV, they only see a black screen. We’ll walk you through common troubleshooting tips if you want to fix Nintendo Switch TV connection issues.

The Switch gets its name from its ability to “Switch” from being a handheld console to a home console connected to a TV. That’s true of the OLED and standard Switch, but if you have a Nintendo Switch Lite, there’s no way to connect it to a TV.

Despite having a USB-C port, it lacks the hardware for video output over USB. So even if you use a third-party dock that the Lite can physically plug into, it won’t output anything to your TV.

It usually doesn’t matter how you plug everything in, but if you have trouble try this specific order to connect everything:

If this doesn’t work, move on to the troubleshooting steps below.

After plugging everything in correctly, turn off your Switch and TV. Then turn them both on again to see if that resolves the issue. You can try this twice, alternating which device you switch on first to see if this makes a difference.

We don’t mean putting your Switch into Sleep Mode. Instead, you should power cycle your Switch. Press the power button on the Switch until you see the power options menu. Then select Power Off .

You can also soft reset your Switch by holding the power button until the console powers off. Turning the console back on with the Power Button completes the power cycle in both cases.

Smart TVs and modern consoles get software updates all the time. If you’re using a Smart TV (or even a non-smart TV), check if new firmware isn’t available. Smart TVs can get their updates over the internet directly, but for non-smart TVs, you may have to download the update and save it to a thumb drive. Consult the TV’s manual for the specific procedure.

On the Switch side of the equation, check for system updates. This should happen automatically when you connect to the internet.

By default, your Switch picks the best video output mode automatically. If someone manually sets it to something the current TV does not support, you won’t get any picture.

Virtually all modern TVs support all of the modes the Switch uses. Still, the Automatic settings get it wrong, so manually selecting the correct resolution might resolve this issue.

On some TV models, you can specify the video format and other settings related to the specific HDMI input used. For example, if your TV is set to accept a 1080i (interlaced) video signal, it won’t display a 1080p (progressive scan) image.

Check your TV manual to see if such a setting exists and reset it to default or 1080p. You can use the “settings” or “menu” button on your TV remote to access its menus.

If your Switch is connected to your TV through another device like a soundbar bar or home theater system with HDMI pass-through, try connecting it directly instead. If a direct connection works, it points to an issue with the intermediary device or one of the intermediary cables. You may bypass that device or change its settings to work with the Switch. With some devices, a firmware or software update might be possible.

Your TV probably has more than one HDMI input, and you may have selected the wrong input in the TV settings. So use your television’s input selection function and ensure you have set it to the same input your Switch is plugged into. For example, if you’ve plugged the Switch into the port marked “HDMI 1”, you should also set the TV’s input to HDMI 1, not HDMI 2.

Here’s a tip: some TVs only support HDR on certain HDMI inputs. Since the Switch does not support HDR, it’s a waste to plug it into an HDR-capable port if a non-HDR port is available. Instead, save your HDR ports for devices like an Apple TV.

Since the Switch’s launch, there have been issues with third-party docks. The Nintendo Switch dock uses custom features, meaning you can’t just plug in any old USB-C dock and expect it to work.

Unlicensed third-party docks advertised on sites like Amazon can get this wrong or stop working after a Switch system software update. There have even been cases where third-party docks permanently brick the Switch!

So if you’re having TV connection issues, change the official Switch dock if you can, or at the very least, use a dock officially sanctioned by Nintendo.

You won’t see anything on-screen if the Switch dock isn’t getting power. The Switch itself cannot power the dock. A tell-tale sign that the dock isn’t getting power is that the Switch’s screen stays on while in the dock.

You can disconnect the power adapter from the dock and plug it directly into the Switch. If the Switch charges directly from the adapter but doesn’t power the dock, it means there’s something wrong with the dock. If the adapter isn’t working, check the power outlet. If the outlet is fine, replace the dock or power adapter as necessary.

The Switch requires at least a High-speed HDMI cable if you want 1080p output at 60hz, which is the best the Switch offers. If you’re using a standard HDMI cable rather than a high-speed cable, you’ll be limited to 720p or 1080i. Since the Switch doesn’t support 1080i output, you’ll be limited to 720p!

Apart from using a fast enough cable for 1080p, your cable may need to be fixed. So try a different cable you know works, and see if your TV will pick up the signal.

If it’s not the cable, it might be the port! Try different HDMI ports on your TV to see if that makes any difference. Plug the Switch into an HDMI out port. Some TVs have audio-out or passthrough ports that don’t accept incoming signals or need to be switched to input mode in the TV settings.

Most households have multiple TVs, but even if you don’t, you can easily take your Switch with its dock to a friend’s house and test it with their TV. You can connect the Switch to any computer monitor with an HDMI input. If the problem persists on other display devices, you can safely assume something is wrong with your dock or Switch.

If nothing you try above works, it’s time to get in touch with Nintendo Support. A problem with your Switch or its accessories may require warranty replacement or repair. If your Switch is no longer under warranty, chat with Nintendo Support, just in case, they may have more specific advice. Or perhaps your issue is covered under special conditions that extend the warranty.

If you don’t want to use Nintendo Support, make sure you employ a reputable game console repair service or buy certified replacement parts.

Sydney Butler is a social scientist and technology fanatic who tries to understand how people and technology coexist. He has two decades of experience as a freelance computer technician and more than a decade as a technologies researcher and instructor. Sydney has been a professional technology writer for more than five years and covers topics such as VR, Gaming, Cyber security and Transhumanism. Read Sydney's Full Bio

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