Nintendo Switch revised model overheats, shuts down or the fan is loud

The checks in more detail

The iFixit repair guide for an overheating Switch lists the same causes, and adds dust, a worn fan and heavy software. A console that is hot only when docked may have a dock with a blocked vent or a power adapter that is not the original, so check both. Nintendo's own page on the power hold notes the console needs time to cool before charging again. Software matters. Notebookcheck reported battery and heat complaints after one firmware update, so update to the latest system software, which Nintendo uses to fix such issues. Close games and apps you are not using.

Games that run at full load for hours, such as large open-world titles, make the console hot, and that is normal; lower the screen brightness, turn off background features and play in a cool room. Charging while playing adds heat, so charge before or after a long session. Use the original adapter or a certified one. In handheld mode a thick or snug case blocks airflow, so take it off. A fan that never spins up, or a loud fan that grinds, needs cleaning or repair; dust can be blown out gently with a can of compressed air held at a distance.

If the console shuts itself down repeatedly from heat, with clear vents and current software, send it to Nintendo. Owners who play docked for long sessions can add a small stand that lets air flow under the dock, and keep the dock's back vent clear of the TV cabinet wall. If you play handheld outdoors in summer, shade the console, since direct sun heats the case and raises the chip's temperature before play begins. The console lowers its performance when hot, so a game that stutters after an hour may be throttling, and a rest in a cool place restores it.