How to fix a Nintendo Switch that won't charge

It's one of the most irritating forms of “game over." You go to play your Nintendo Switch™, only to find out it's dead and won't recharge. There are a few reasons your Switch may not be charging, but we can help you figure out which one is the problem.

Here at Asurion, we fix people's tech every day. From a Samsung® phone that won't ring to an iPad® smart keyboard that's not working, we'll get your favorite devices back up and running fast. Here are tips from our experts on how to fix a Nintendo Switch that won't charge.

How to restart a Nintendo Switch

Restarting your Switch is a simple solution—and it often works. First turn off your console, then unplug the charger from the wall and from your Switch. Wait for about a minute, then plug it back in. If this worked, you'll see a charging indicator on the screen.

How to reset a Nintendo Switch

A frozen Switch can cause charging issues too. To see if that's the problem, unplug your Switch and hold the Power button down for about 12 seconds, then release it and plug it back in. If a frozen screen was the issue, your Switch should start charging again.

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Check the adapter

Make sure the USB-C cable is securely connected to your Switch and the power brick is fully connected to an outlet. Nintendo recommends using their official adapters, since the wrong kind can harm your system. If you're not using the adapter that came with your Switch, make sure yours has Nintendo's approval and provides power at the proper voltage.

Check the outlet

Your Nintendo Switch charging problems could also be due to a broken outlet. To find out if that's why your Switch won't charge, try using a different outlet.

Check your controller connection

Your charging issue could have to do with your Joy-Con™ controller connection rather than the console. Make sure to securely connect both controllers to your Switch. If they aren't correctly connected into their respective slots, your Switch and Joy-Cons won't charge properly.

Check your Nintendo Switch for damage

See if there's any external damage to your ports. If you see any damage, you'll want to look into Nintendo Switch charging port repair. Then unplug your power adapter from the wall and check that for wear and tear too. Look for bent pins, wire damage, or bends in the wall plug connections.