A Nintendo Switch that will not turn on has one sequence from Nintendo, and it starts with resetting the AC adapter: unplug it from the wall and from the dock or console for 30 seconds, hold the POWER button for 20 seconds to force a shutdown, plug the adapter directly into an outlet and then the console, and press POWER once. If the screen stays blank, the next branch depends on whether a battery charge indicator flashes briefly in the top-left corner. A deeply drained battery can show nothing for up to 15 to 30 minutes on charge. Only the Switch AC adapter model HAC-002 is the licensed one.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nintendo Switch (launch, revised and OLED models) will not turn on”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A deeply drained battery
What separates it The screen stays black on the AC adapter and a charging indicator flashes briefly in the top-left corner
How to confirm Charge the console for at least 15 to 30 minutes with an undamaged licensed adapter, then press POWER
- 2
An AC adapter that needs a reset
What separates it The console will not respond after a storm or a long time unplugged
How to confirm Unplug the adapter from the wall and the console for 30 seconds, hold POWER for 20 seconds, then reconnect and press POWER once
- 3
An unlicensed or damaged AC adapter
What separates it The adapter is not marked MOD. HAC-002, or its cord is frayed, split or kinked
How to confirm Check the model number on the bottom of the adapter where the cord attaches and replace a damaged one
- 4
A console stuck in sleep mode or frozen
What separates it The screen is black but the console is on, or it will not wake
How to confirm Hold POWER for 20 seconds to force a shutdown, then start it again
- 5
A damaged USB-C connector or an internal fault
What separates it No charging indicator appears with a good adapter and the connector at the bottom looks bent
How to confirm Test the adapter on another USB-C Nintendo product; if it charges that, the console needs service
- 6
A battery that no longer holds a charge
What separates it The console dies within minutes off the dock or will not start unless plugged in, even after a full charge
How to confirm iFixit's Switch repair page says the battery can be replaced at home, but it is held with strong adhesive, so novices should read the guide first; a battery that has swollen needs proper disposal, not use
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether a battery charge indicator flashes in the top-left corner when the adapter is first plugged in
- The model number on the AC adapter and whether it is HAC-002
- Whether the console is a launch model (HAC-001), a revised model (HAC-001(-01)) or an OLED (HEG-001)
- Whether the console was docked or undocked when it stopped
Try in this order
0 of 9 completedTake the console out of the dock
ReversibleNintendo says to remove the console from the dock while you troubleshoot. While docked, the screen shuts off automatically, which can look like a fault.
Reset the AC adapter
ReversibleUnplug the AC adapter from both the wall and the dock or console and leave it unplugged for 30 seconds.
Force a shutdown
ReversibleHold the POWER button on the console for 20 seconds and release it. This performs a forced shutdown.
Reconnect and press POWER once
ReversiblePlug the adapter directly into a wall outlet and then into the console, and press POWER once. Try a different outlet if you can, in case the first one is at fault.
Let a drained battery charge
ReversibleIf a charging indicator flashes in the top-left corner and then the screen goes blank, leave the console charging for at least 15 to 30 minutes, then press POWER.
Check the adapter
ReversibleThe model number is on the bottom of the adapter, where the cord attaches, and should read MOD. HAC-002. Look for a frayed or split cord, loose connectors or kinks. Nintendo warns that unlicensed adapters can be incompatible.
Test the adapter on another device
ReversiblePlug the adapter into another Nintendo USB-C product, such as a Pro Controller, a Joy-Con charging stand or the dock. If it charges that, the adapter is fine and the console needs service.
Check the USB-C connector and update
ReversibleLook at the USB-C connector at the bottom of the console for bent metal. If the console does turn on, open System Settings, System, System Update to install any update. If it still fails, start a service request and include the adapter.
Know what a battery repair involves
ReversibleiFixit's OLED battery guide removes the Joy-Con, then rear case screws that are JIS type (a Phillips driver works if used carefully), and replaces the thermal compound under the shield plate with thermal putty because ordinary paste cannot bridge that gap. That is a repair for an out-of-warranty console, not a step to try first.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Launch model, revised model and OLED
- HAC-001 (launch), HAC-001(-01) (revised, better battery life) and HEG-001 (OLED, 7.0 inch OLED screen, 64GB storage) all use the same 4310mAh battery figure in Nintendo's specifications and the same HAC-002 adapter.
- Battery life and serial prefix by model
- Nintendo's battery article lists about 2.5 to 6.5 hours for the launch HAC-001 (serial begins XAW), 4.5 to 9 hours for the revised HAC-001(-01) (XKW) and the OLED HEG-001 (XTW). Charging takes about 3 hours powered off or asleep.
- Tools and supplies
- A second licensed AC adapter or another Nintendo USB-C product to test with, a flashlight to look at the connector and a soft cloth. No screwdriver is needed; do not open the console.
- Model and serial number
- Nintendo's service request asks for the console's serial number, not a part number, and the adapter should be included for testing.
- On a Switch Lite
- The Lite has no dock, so a Lite that will not turn on or charge is the AC adapter, the USB-C cable, the charging port or a battery that drained to zero after sitting unused. Charge it untouched on Nintendo's adapter for 30 to 60 minutes before judging, then hold POWER for 12 seconds and try again. The Lite's battery runs roughly 3 to 7 hours depending on the game.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Nintendo Switch original model.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the console shows no charging indicator after an hour on a known-good adapter, it needs service; Nintendo asks you to include the adapter for testing
- !If the USB-C connector on the console is damaged, stop charging it and start a service request
- !If the console gets hot, swells or smells of burning, unplug it and stop using it
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Nintendo writes them for the Switch, the Switch Lite and the OLED model together and states which steps are console-specific. The Switch Lite has its own page because it has no dock.
JIS screws, discharge below 25 percent and thermal putty.
Battery repair steps and Nintendo's out-of-warranty cost table.
Reset, charging indicator and AC adapter checks.
Charging troubleshooting and the USB-C connector.
AC adapter precautions and battery warnings.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why won't my Switch turn on?+
Reset the AC adapter for 30 seconds, hold POWER for 20 seconds, reconnect and press POWER once. If the screen is blank, charge it for 15 to 30 minutes with the licensed HAC-002 adapter.
Does the Switch have a power light?+
No. Nintendo says the Switch does not have a power light; a charging indicator appears briefly in the top-left of the screen when the adapter is first plugged in.
Why is the screen off when the Switch is docked?+
Nintendo says the console screen shuts off automatically while docked because the game is shown on the TV.
How long should I charge a dead Switch?+
At least 15 to 30 minutes with an undamaged adapter, then press POWER. Nintendo's charging article says at least 30 minutes.
How do I force the Switch to shut down?+
Hold the POWER button for 20 seconds and release it. For a frozen console in other articles Nintendo says to hold for at least 12 to 20 seconds.
Is the OLED different for power problems?+
The steps are the same. The OLED has a 7.0 inch screen and 64GB storage but uses the same AC adapter and the same USB-C connector.
Can the battery be replaced at home?+
iFixit publishes a guide for the Switch, Switch OLED and Switch Lite and says the job takes from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. It tells you to discharge the battery below 25 percent first, because a damaged battery can catch fire, and to use 90 percent isopropyl alcohol to soften the adhesive.
Can the charging port be replaced at home?+
iFixit sells a replacement USB-C port, but the port is soldered to the board, so replacing it needs micro-soldering skills and hot-air tools that most owners do not have; the safer route is Nintendo's repair service or a repair shop.