- A Nintendo Switch with WiFi issues can have various solutions.
- The fixes below work for the original Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, and the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Common fixes include restarting the router, restarting the Switch, changing the WiFi security protocol and more.
- In some cases, changing the DNS server can also solve WiFi connection issues.
If you have a Nintendo Switch that will not connect to WiFi there are a several causes and fixes that can help solve the problem.
WiFi and Internet connection issues are a common problem with the Nintendo Switch with no single fix.
The fix can vary and depend on the Switch version and router being used.
The Nintendo Switch 2 uses newer WiFi hardware than the original Switch, so a few of the settings are different, which is noted below where it matters.
Why Can’t I Connect My Nintendo Switch to WIFI?
There are several reasons why a Switch has WiFi connection problems, including the router, wrong password, wrong security type, malfunctioning Switch, and more.
A message often appears saying Unable to connect to the network. The error details will now be displayed.
Another common message is This Network’s Settings Are Not Supported. Please Choose a Different Network. which means the router is using a security type the Switch does not support (more on this below).
The WiFi on the Switch can also stop working after an SD-card upgrade or a System Update.
Several fixes can be done which will get your Nintendo Switch back online.
Below are the most common fixes starting with the most obvious to more technical fixes.
5 Fixes When a Nintendo Switch Won’t Connect to WiFi
- Restart the Router
- Test the WiFi and Internet with Another Device
- Restart/Reset the System from the Menu Option
- Hold the Power Button Down
- Hold the button until a Menu comes up and select Power Options
- Select Restart or Power Off and Back On
- After the system restarts, test the WiFi to see if it works.
- Change the Wireless Security Protocol
- Original Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED: WEP, WPA-PSK (AES), WPA2-PSK (AES)
- Nintendo Switch 2: WPA-PSK (AES), WPA2-PSK (AES), WPA3-SAE (AES). WEP is not supported.
- Go to System Settings–> Internet–> Internet Settings–> Select Your Network–> Change Settings
- Select Security
- Change the Security Protocol to WPA2-PSK (AES) so it matches the router
- Enter You WiFi Password
- Test your connection and see if it works
- Change the DNS Settings
- Go to System Settings–> Internet–> Internet Settings–> Select Your Network–> Change Settings
- Scroll down and select DNS Settings
- Set DNS to Manual
- Go to Primary DNS
- Change the Primary DNS number to 1.1.1.1
- Go to the Secondary DNS
- Change the Secondary DNS number to 1.0.0.1
- Save the Settings and test if the WiFi is working.
Routers sometimes have issues and need to be reset to clear out an error.
This is a common problem, especially in a busy wireless environment.
There is often a power off/on button on the unit, or the router can be unplugged and plugged back in.
Leave it unplugged for 30 seconds or so before plugging it back in, and if you have a separate modem unplug that as well.
Once the router is back up, go into the Switch Internet Settings and press the Y Button to search for networks again.
Testing the WiFi and internet with another device is a quick, easy way to see if the internet is down.
Any other device can be used, such as a smartphone or laptop; simply verify the internet is working.
If the WiFi is down on another device, then the problem is with the router.
If the WiFi works well with another device, the problem is likely the Switch.
Another quick test is to connect the Switch to a smartphone hotspot. If it connects to the hotspot fine, the problem is with the home router settings and not the Switch.
If the Nintendo Switch is constantly left in Sleep Mode, the WiFi can sometimes have issues.
Power restarting the system from the menu option clears out old data that otherwise may not get cleared.
This includes system errors or other errors that could cause the wireless not to work.
How To Hard Restart/Reset the Nintendo Switch
If the Switch is frozen and the menu will not come up, hold the Power Button down for 12 seconds to force it to shut down, then power it back on.
The steps are the same on the original Switch and the Switch 2.
Changing the WPA security settings often fixes the WiFi issue with a Nintendo Switch.
WPA is the main way WiFi transmissions are secured and encrypted from prying eyes.
The security type set on the Switch must match what the router is using, and each Switch model supports different types.
Security Types Supported by Each Switch Model
WPA2 (AES) is supported by every Switch model and every modern router, so it is the safest setting to use.
WEP is an old, insecure protocol and no longer works with the Switch 2, so it is best avoided even on the original Switch.
Many newer routers now ship set to WPA3 only. The original Switch does not support WPA3, so if the Switch cannot see or join the network, log into the router and set the security to WPA2 or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode.
How To Change the Change the Wireless Security Protocol on a Nintendo Switch
If the Switch still will not connect, the security type will need to be changed on the router itself by logging into the router admin page.
The DNS setting can also cause the Switch WiFi to have issues stop working.
A DNS (Domain Name System) is where an IP Address number is translated into a website name.
Computers use IP Addresses to go to a website while people use names.
A DNS server translates IP Addresses into readable websites names people understand.
DNS servers are set by an IP number, and can be Country specific, so be sure to Google working DNS servers in your country.
The most common public DNS Server IP Numbers are 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare) and 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google), but there are many more.
Steps to Change Primary and Secondary DNS Settings on a Nintendo Switch
Other Things To Try
If the five fixes above do not work, there are a few more things worth trying.
- Delete the Saved Network and Set It Up Again
- Update the Switch System Software
- Move Closer to the Router
- Use a Wired Connection
A saved network profile can become corrupted, especially after a System Update.
Go to System Settings–> Internet–> Internet Settings, select the network, choose Delete Settings, and then connect to the network again from scratch.
Nintendo has released many system updates that fix WiFi bugs on both the original Switch and the Switch 2.
Go to System Settings–> System–> System Update. If the Switch cannot get online at all, connect it to a smartphone hotspot to download the update.
The Switch has a weaker WiFi antenna than most laptops and phones.
Take the Switch out of the dock and bring it within 10-15 feet of the router while troubleshooting, and move it away from metal objects, speakers, and other electronics that can cause interference.
The Switch OLED dock and the Switch 2 dock both have a built-in LAN port.
Plugging an Ethernet cable from the router into the dock bypasses WiFi completely and gives the most stable connection for online gaming.
The original Switch dock does not have a LAN port but a USB-to-Ethernet adapter can be used.
Why Can’t My Nintendo Switch Connect to 5GHz WiFi?
The usual cause of the Switch not connecting to 5GHz WiFi is the router.
Restarting the router will often solve a no-connection issue.
In some cases, the router may be malfunctioning which can be tested with another device to see if the 5GHz band is working or not.
Another issue may be distance or obstructions as 5GHz does not travel as far as the 2.4GHz band.
The Switch also may be having issues and need a restart.
Switch 2 and 5GHz WiFi
The Switch 2 supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax) on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, but many Switch 2 owners have found it will connect to the slower 2.4GHz band when the router uses one network name for both bands.
The fix is to log into the router and give the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands separate network names, then connect the Switch 2 to the 5GHz name only and delete the 2.4GHz network from the Switch.
Some users have also had good luck setting a fixed 5GHz channel such as 36 or 48 in the router, and turning off IPv6 in the router settings if the connection keeps dropping.
Summary
When a Nintendo Switch or any gaming device is having WiFi issues, it can be very upsetting.
It is a common problem for the Switch to have wireless problems with many fixes online.
Start by looking at the easy fixes, such as if the internet is working, which while not likely the problem but should to be checked first.
Many users have good luck powering down the unit and power it back on.
Other users have had good luck changing the security type to WPA2 or changing the DNS server number.
Switch 2 owners should check the router is not set to WEP, and original Switch owners should check the router is not set to WPA3 only.
Hopefully, one of the fixes above help to solve your device error.
Have you had issues with the WiFi not working on your Nintendo Switch? Let us know your thoughts below.
Thanks a lot, switching to WPA2 solved the problem for me. I have a WPA3 default WiFi setting on my router and I had to add the WiFi manually, my Nintendo Switch not being able to detect my WiFi. Writing the SSID and entering my password wasn’t enough. But as soon as I changed the Wireless Security Protocol to WPA2, it connected perfectly.
Many thanks!
None of these have worked for me
I heard that you tried all these solutions.
Sorry, there’s no more troubleshooting to offer.
Thank you for the help ! 🙂
Didn’t work for me either it still said “this feature is not available”