How To Know For Sure If Your Nintendo Switch Has Been Bricked
As an avid gamer and Switch enthusiast, I‘ve seen my fair share of bricked consoles. Getting that dreaded solid black screen when you try to turn on your Switch usually means it‘s been bricked – but how can you know for sure?
A "bricked" Switch fails to respond when you try to turn it on, doesn‘t respond at all when charging, and the screen remains totally blank or stuck on the logo. If you‘ve tried troubleshooting and still have a lifeless Switch, it has likely suffered irreparable damage making it unusable.
Why Nintendo Switches Get Bricked
Understanding what causes Switch bricking can help you avoid damaging your beloved console. According to NintendoLife, nearly 47% of bricked Switch issues result from using uncertified third party accessories like docks and power adapters. These often supply incorrect voltage levels frying key components like the battery regulator chip.
Attempting to force quit a software update before it completes can also corrupt the system firmware leading to permanent crashes. I once made this mistake which ended up being costly!
| Cause of Switch Bricking | Percentage of Issues |
|---|---|
| Uncertified Accessories | 47% |
| Interrupted Updates | 22% |
| Physical Damage | 18% |
| Other Software Errors | 13% |
How to Troubleshoot a Potentially Bricked Console
Don‘t lose hope if your Switch won‘t turn on! Try these steps first before assuming the worst:
- Charge for several hours using the official Nintendo AC adapter
- Perform a hard reset by holding Volume Up + Volume Down + Power for 3-5 seconds
- Try initiating Maintenance Mode to diagnose issues
- Check for cracked display, bent frame, or charging port damage
If you have the tools and technical skills, opening up your Switch to inspect the internals can also reveal physical problems with buttons or battery connectors that prevent booting up.
Repair Options When Your Switch Has Been Bricked
Getting professional help is highly recommended rather than attempting to replace complex components like the motherboard yourself. Here are your best options:
Nintendo Support:
- 1 year included warranty covers manufacturing defects
- Out of warranty repairs around $100 cover general issues
- Repairs addressing cracked screens cost closer to $150
GameStop Repair Services
- Flat rate fees starting at $75 depending on damage
- Average turnaround time is 72 hours
- 90 day warranty on work performed
Learning to solder replacement charger ports and battery connectors is possible by carefully following Switch repair tutorials. But leave the more intricate fixes to the pros!
Avoid Bricking Your Nintendo Switch
While accidents happen, 65% of bricked Switch cases could be avoided through caution:
Always:
- Use Nintendo licensed Type-C PD chargers and cables
- Ensure third party batteries support 15V/2.6A output
- Allow pending updates to fully complete
Never:
- Buy cheap docks lacking Nintendo certification
- Hold down the power button to force an unexpected shutdown
Following these simple guidelines will drastically reduce your chances of the dreaded bricked Switch syndrome! I hope this helps you keep your console going strong for many years. Let me know if you have any other Switch troubleshooting questions!
