How To Fix Nintendo Switch Wifi Issues | can’t connect, find network
Are you having wifi issues on your Nintendo Switch console? If you do, you’re in luck as this article will walk you through the troubleshooting steps you can take.
Some of the common wifi scenarios that some gamers may encounter includes the console being:
- unable to go online
- unable to find the wireless network
- able to search for wireless networks but can’t find your specific wifi network
There are many other wifi issues that may occur in this console so what we provide in this post are general solutions to all of them. We hope you’ll find this article helpful.
Causes of wifi problems on Nintendo Switch
Wifi problems can be caused by a wide range of factors. In this troubleshooting article, we’ll show you the varied steps that you can take to handle many wifi issues in this device.
Minor bugs.
Some bugs may develop if you use your console non-stop for days. Make sure that you restart it from time to time. To do that, just press the Power button for about 3 seconds, select Power Options, and follow it up by Restart.
Temporary network glitches.
Just like your console, routers or any other network equipment can develop minor bugs if left running for an extended period. Make sure to reboot your router or modem or both if you continue to experience wifi issues on your Nintendo Switch.
Router issues.
Some issues on your router may affect devices connected to it. You may need to do specific router troubleshooting steps in order to address possible causes. Some of these router issues are mentioned below.
Weak signal or interference.
If your Switch is far from the router, or if it’s getting weak wifi signal, it may be unable to maintain a connection. Try moving closer to the router and see if that will fix the problem.
Signal interference can also affect how your console works with the router. Metal objects or other electronic devices may interfere with wireless signals in your home. Move away objects such as filing cabinets, aquarium, cordless phones, power strips, other wireless devices and see if that will improve the situation. If possible, turn off all wireless devices at home and disconnect them from your router. Then, connect your Nintendo Switch console alone to your router and see if that will fix the issue.
Software issues.
Your console may have a software problem that affects wifi functionality. If the solutions in this article won’t help at all, try to wipe the device with a factory reset.
Troubleshooting wifi issues on Nintendo Switch console
Time Needed : 15 minutes
You want to do a set of troubleshooting steps in order to fix the wifi issue you’re experiencing. Learn what these steps are below.
Restart the Nintendo Switch console.
Press the Power button for about 3 seconds, select Power Options, and follow it up by Restart.
Power cycle the network.
Disconnect your modem or router (if separate from the modem) from the wall outlet for about 30 seconds. Make sure that the router lights are stable before attempting to reconnect your Nintendo Switch.
Try using 5 GHz band.
If your router has dual band capability, meaning it can broadcast wifi signals in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, try to use the latter. Nintendo Switch consoles can work with either bands but try using 5 GHz and see if that will work. Many wireless devices are set to connect to 2.4 GHz by default so there may be signal interference in this band. Moving your Nintendo to a less crowded 5 GHz band may do the trick for you.
Change router channel.
If your Nintendo Switch still has wifi issues at this time, you can also try using different channels in your router. You can use channels 1, 6, and 11 and see which works better. Try to compare each channel by using your Switch for some time while connected in each one.
Re-enter wifi password.
The Nintendo Switch supports WEP, WPA-PSK(AES), and WPA2-PSK(AES) security protocols. If you are using a different security protocol in your router other than the ones mentioned, try changing it to one of the supported protocols.
Re-create network connection.
If your home router is set to hide the SSID for added security, you should consider manually re-adding your Nintendo Switch as a troubleshooting step. This step is obviously intended for advanced technical users so if you have no idea what we’re talking about here, try to do some research about it. When you manually create an internet connection in your console, you only need to update the SSID setting. The rest of the settings may be left as they are. To update the SSID, you need to use the Manual Setup option under System Settings>Internet>Internet Settings>Networks Found.Alternatively, you can use the option to broadcast your SSID openly instead of hiding it to see if that will fix the issue.
Check for wifi signal interference.
Metal objects, thick-steel-reinforced walls, and other wireless devices may affect your wifi signals at home. Try to move your Nintendo Switch console as close as possible to the router and away from possible sources of signal interference. If the console can connect to the internet without problems after doing these, you may have a signal interference issue. You’ll have to use the process of elimination to identify which one is causing the problem.
Change DNS server.
If you’re using a different DNS server on your console, try switching back to the default DNS server of your ISP. By default, the DNS server is set to auto so try changing it manually to see if that will work.
Return software settings to defaults (Factory reset).
If none of the solutions help at all and your Nintendo Switch continue to experience wifi issues, there may be a deeper software problem that may only be fixed with a factory reset. Learn how to factory reset your console by following this article.
Suggested readings:
- How To Show Nintendo Switch Battery Percentage
- How To Fix Incorrect Nintendo Switch Battery Indicator
- How To Fix Nintendo Switch Not Turning On (No Power)
- How To Fix A Frozen Or Unresponsive Nintendo Switch
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