The Nintendo Switch is a great handheld console, with resolutions at 720p, and batteries sustaining for around half a day. But you know what would be even better? Plugging it into the TV. With an even bigger screen, heightened resolutions (1080p), not to mention the unlimited power supply, your TV connected Switch will keep you immersed for hours. However, there’s just one problem: Nintendo Switch Dock not working.
The HDMI cable is connected to the TV, the power supply is plugged in, and you’ve even tried pressing down the Switch itself in hopes that it’s just misaligned. But it’s still not showing up. Today, we’ll be listing down the common reasons why your Nintendo Switch Dock is not working, and their respective fixes.
How to Fix Nintendo Switch Dock Not Working Error
Method 1: Your Switch is Holding Corrupt Temporary Data
Seeing the word “Switch” and “corrupt” together in the same sentence can be cause for panic. And while corrupt data on actual software can be concerning, temporary data is another story. Temporary files are stored in your Switch all the time to ensure the best performance out of your games.
Unfortunately, they get corrupted if they stay in storage too long. This can cause a multitude of problems, from games freezing to, and you guessed it, connectivity issues. To clean your cache, open System Settings and select Formatting Options from the list. Press Clear Cache. Restart your Switch for good measure and try docking it again.
Method 2: Your Cables Aren’t Inserted In The Right Order
It’s not common, but some Switches have a known software bug that prevents them from being read by docks unless the cables are connected in a specific order. The order in question is the power cable, HDMI cable (which already has to be connected to your TV), and finally, the Switch itself. If it still doesn’t work, try swapping out your current HDMI cable with another.
Method 3: You’ve Got The Wrong Charger Plugged In
While it’s common to use any USB-C power supply to charge the Switch itself, it’s not quite the same for the dock. The dock utilizes a complex power delivery systems design that takes into account several operating voltages.
Changes in demand for current will also result in changes in voltage, so a charge with not enough amps may not be enough to power the dock at all. The dock will only work if the charger can provide 15V/2.6A, just like the one that comes with your console. You can use chargers with more power, but it’s not recommended since it might overload your Switch.
Method 4: Your Dock is Broken
If none of the above fixes work, then you’ll have to accept the fact that your dock isn’t working. You can double-check by borrowing a dock from a friend or testing your cables and power supply on other devices. If you do have a defective dock, the next best step is to bring it to a Nintendo customer service center. Alternatively, you can buy a new one.
If you encounter problems docking your Switch, stay calm, and figure out what the problem is. Unless your dock itself isn’t working, the fixes are more straightforward than you think. For more common problem fixes, check out some of our other how-to posts.
