When a Switch cannot get online, Nintendo's steps depend on what you see. If it finds no networks, restart the console, power cycle the modem and router, move metal objects and other electronics away and use Manual Setup for a hidden network. A grayed-out network means an unsupported security type, since the Switch supports WEP, WPA-PSK (AES) and WPA2-PSK (AES) on 2.4 and 5 GHz. A wired connection needs the console in TV mode with the OLED's dock with LAN port or a LAN adapter. For NAT trouble Nintendo says to turn off IPv6 on the connection.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nintendo Switch cannot connect online or has strict NAT”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A weak signal or interference
What separates it The console finds no networks or your network is missing from Found Networks
How to confirm Bring the console within 10 to 15 feet of the router and move metal objects, speakers, power strips or cordless phones away
- 2
A network that needs a power cycle
What separates it The connection test fails after an outage or long uptime
How to confirm Unplug the modem and router for 30 seconds, plug in the modem, wait for steady lights, then the router, and search again with the Y button
- 3
An unsupported security type
What separates it Your network name is grayed out because of an unsupported security type on the router
How to confirm Nintendo says the security type is not supported; the Switch supports WEP, WPA-PSK (AES) and WPA2-PSK (AES)
- 4
A hidden network name
What separates it Your network does not appear at all but works for other devices
How to confirm Use Manual Setup and enter the SSID and password yourself
- 5
A strict NAT type or IPv6 issue
What separates it You connect but cannot join or host with other players
How to confirm Turn off IPv6 Connection in the network's settings, power cycle the modem and router and test the connection again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The error code and message from the connection test
- The NAT type letter from the test, from A (best) to F
- Whether the console is on Wi-Fi or wired and the router and modem models
- Whether the OLED's dock with LAN port or a LAN adapter is used for wired
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedMove the console close to the router
ReversibleTake it out of the dock and bring it within 10 to 15 feet of the wireless router to improve signal strength while you troubleshoot.
Power cycle your home network
ReversibleUnplug the power from the modem and, if separate, the router. After 30 seconds plug in the modem and wait for steady lights, then the router. If the modem's lights stay on, remove a backup battery if it has one.
Search again and clear interference
ReversibleIn System Settings, Internet, Internet Settings press the Y button to search again. Move metal objects and electronics such as speakers, power strips, glass or cordless phones away from the console and the router.
Use Manual Setup for a hidden network
ReversibleAt the bottom of Internet Settings choose Manual Setup and enter a network name, the SSID (the broadcast name) and the security details.
Check the security type
ReversibleIf the network name is grayed out the security type is not supported. Nintendo lists WEP, WPA-PSK (AES) and WPA2-PSK (AES) on 2.4 and 5 GHz with 802.11b, g, n and ac.
Try a wired connection
ReversibleIn TV mode connect an Ethernet cable to the OLED's dock with LAN port, or a LAN adapter on other docks, then choose Wired Connection under Internet Settings.
Turn off IPv6 for NAT trouble
ReversibleChoose your network, Change Settings, and toggle IPv6 Connection off, then power cycle the modem and router and test the connection.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Wired connection
- Nintendo says the OLED Model has a dock with a LAN port; for the launch and revised models a wired LAN adapter goes into the dock's USB port. The console must be in TV mode for a wired connection.
- Wi-Fi hardware
- IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 in Nintendo's OLED specification; the launch and revised models list 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi.
- Tools and supplies
- An Ethernet cable and a LAN adapter if needed, a phone for the router's app and the router's label for the SSID.
- What to tell your provider
- The error code, the NAT type letter and whether it was tested wired; not a part number.
- On a Switch Lite
- The Lite is Wi-Fi only: it has no dock and cannot use a LAN adapter, so a wired connection is not an option. Moving closer to the router and switching to the 5 GHz band are the Lite fixes.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If no access points appear after the restart, power cycle and interference steps, the wireless network environment may be the problem; contact your provider
- !If a specific error code appears, look up that code on Nintendo Support
- !If a wired connection fails, check the LAN adapter or dock port and try a different cable
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Nintendo writes them for the Switch family, including the Switch Lite, and the NAT article for the Switch 2 as well. Nintendo does not list router models that work, so this page does not either.
Wi-Fi setup and supported security.
No networks found, hidden SSIDs and interference.
NAT types and IPv6.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why can't my Switch find my Wi-Fi?+
Bring it within 10 to 15 feet of the router, restart it and the network, move interference away and use Manual Setup if the network name is hidden.
Which Wi-Fi does the Switch support?+
Nintendo lists 2.4 and 5 GHz with 802.11b, g, n and ac, and WEP, WPA-PSK (AES) and WPA2-PSK (AES) security.
Can the Switch use a wired connection?+
Yes, in TV mode: the OLED's dock has a LAN port, and the other docks need a USB LAN adapter.
How do I turn off IPv6?+
System Settings, Internet, Internet Settings, select your network, Change Settings and toggle IPv6 Connection off.
What do I do if the network name is grayed out?+
The security type is not supported. Change the router's security to a supported type or ask the router maker.
When do I call my provider?+
When no access points appear after the power cycle and interference steps, or NAT stays strict after turning off IPv6.