Do you want to know how to make Switch download faster? Many Switch users are actually like you as this console’s wifi connection tends to be laggy compared to its rivals such as the PS4 or Xbox One. The thing is, making your download speed faster depends on a number of factors and some of them may actually be out of your control. Still, there’s no harm in trying, right?
Speed Up Your Nintendo Switch Downloads: A Comprehensive Guide
In this article, we will explain what causes this problem, how to fix it, and how to prevent it in the future. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy your Nintendo Switch with a stable and fast Wi-Fi connection.
Why your Nintendo Switch may have slow download speed?
There are a number of possible reasons why you’re not getting the download speed you’re subscribed to on your Switch.
ISP-related issue.
When you install an internet connection at home, you pay for a particular “Plan,” which basically means the internet speed that you can get. For instance, if you’re paying for an AT&T INTERNET 50 Plan, you’re supposed to be getting home internet speed of up to 50Mbps.
Typically, an Internet Service Provider like AT&T should strive to give you the acceptable industry-standard download speed of about 80% of your plan. This means that you can expect to be getting somewhere between 40Mbps and 50Mbps most of the time on your devices.
If your Nintendo Switch is getting a download speed that’s slower than 40Mbps, it’s possible that there’s an issue coming from your ISP, or it may be caused by something else.
Local networking equipment has a problem.
Another possible reason for slow download speed on your Switch is a malfunctioning modem or router. Electronic devices including modems and routers may sometimes encounter errors, become unresponsive, or may stop working for no apparent reason. Any of such situations can cause slow/intermittent connection, or no internet connection at all.
Low bandwidth due to many devices in your local network.
If there’s no problem from your ISP and assuming that your network equipment are working normally, your Switch download speed may still slow down if there are too many devices connected to your local network. Consoles being used for online games, computers downloading large files, or devices streaming HD contents like Netflix may impact your overall local network download speed.
If you have several smartphones, laptops, computers, consoles, or other internet-connected devices using your network at the same time, you may experience slow download speed.
You can check if your Nintendo Switch download speed can get faster by disconnecting other devices in your network.
Wireless signal interference.
If you use wifi on your Nintendo Switch, it’s possible that it’s slowing down due to wireless interference or weak wireless signal.
Other wireless devices may disrupt wifi signal so what you can do to check is to shut down all known wireless devices at home and checking your Nintendo Switch for faster download speed.
How to download faster on Nintendo Switch
In this brief tutorial, we’ll show you two simple steps that you can try to make the download speed on your Nintendo Switch run faster. <br><strong>IMPORTANT</strong>: We will not be troubleshooting your network and we assume that there are no problems from your ISP. <br>In order to keep your local networking devices (modem or router) in top shape, be sure to restart them at least once every week by unplugging them from the power outlet for at least 30 seconds. <br>We also assume that there’s no wireless signal interference causing slow download at all. If you think that you need to troubleshoot your <a href="https://thedroidguy.com/nintendo-switch-slow-wifi-downloads-upload-1128800">Nintendo Switch slow connection</a> problem, do that first before using our suggestions in this article.
Run internet connection test.
In order to know if your Nintendo Switch download speed has become faster, you must take note of the current download speed by running a speed test. Here’s how to do that:-From the Nintendo HOME Menu, select the System Settings icon.-Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select Internet.-Select Test Connection.-Wait for the test results.Take note of your Download speed.
Change DNS settings.
Once you have completed the speed test, you can then change the DNS settings on your Nintendo Switch. By default, your Nintendo Switch should be using the Domain Name Server provided by your ISP. Sometimes, ISP DNS can encounter problems and may cause connection slow downs. To fix a possible download speed issue due to your ISP DNS, you can try using free third party public DNS. Our favorite is the Google DNS but you can search for other ones. Google’s DNS servers are:Primary: 8.8.8.8Secondary: 8.8.4.4NOTE: DNS speed depends on your location so other DNS may be faster than that of your ISP’s or Google’s.Another reliable and fast free DNS is that of Cisco’s OpenDNS. If you try OpenDNS, enter 208.67.222.222 for Primary DNS and 208.67.220.220 for Secondary DNS.I’ve also tried Cloudflare DNS so you can also use it if you want. Primary, secondary DNS servers: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.To change the DNS settings on your Nintendo Switch:-From the Nintendo HOME Menu, select the System Settings icon.-Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select Internet.-Select Internet Settings.-Wait for a few moments for the console to search for networks.-Once you have the Registered Networks list, select your own network by pressing A. Then, select Change Settings, scroll down to DNS Settings and select it.-Select Manual.-Go to Primary DNS and enter your DNS server.-Then, press OK.-Do the same steps for Secondary DNS.
Change MTU settings.
Another way to make the download speed faster on your Nintendo Switch is by changing the default 1400 MTU setting to 1500. I’ve noticed a slight increase in download speed by doing this trick myself so it’s worth trying as well if you want to improve your connection speed. Increasing the maximum transmission unit or MTU may help download speed go faster a bit by forcing the console to request for more stuff for every packet of data being sent to it.To change your Nintendo Switch MTU, follow these steps:-From the Nintendo HOME Menu, select the System Settings icon.-Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select Internet.-Select Internet Settings.-Wait for a few moments for the console to search for networks.-Select your own own network.-Select Change Settings.-Go to MTU and select it.-Change the MTU value to 1500.-Select OK.
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