Why is my beloved Switch betraying me by not updating?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a gamer who has put hundreds of hours into Zelda BOTW alone, I nearly threw my Switch across the room when system updates kept failing week after week. Sound familiar? Read on for hard-won advice on wrestling those updates into submission.

Overzealous firewalls or VPNs often block the downloads, even if you don‘t realize it. I found out the hard way that my ad blocker was preventing the update process without any alert.

If you use security services like Norton or VPNs to keep gaming data safe, try turning them off temporarily while the Switch checks for and installs updates. Be sure to tweak your firewall settings afterwards to allow Nintendo services through.

Pro tip: forward ports 1 through 65535 specifically on your router for fastest possible firmware download speeds without sacrificing gaming network performance.

To clear stubborn cached updates that refuse to install properly, first completely power down your Switch. Then hold Volume Down AND Volume Up together while turning the power back on. Keep holding the buttons until the recovery menu appears. This forces a "hard reboot" that wipes the update cache.

Once the console restarts normally, navigate to System Settings, System, System Update and choose "Via the Internet" to manually force a fresh update check.

Failing to scan for corrupt data could cost you hundreds of hours of unsaved playtime. I cannot overstate this. Read some of the horror stories on the NintendoSwitch subreddit of Zelda and Splatoon 2 fans losing everything.

Go to Manage Software and check your microSD card for corruption. Deleting anything it flags will resolve issues 9 times out of 10 in my experience. Preserving your progress is worth the few minutes this takes!

And if all else fails, a factory reset may be your last option, albeit a nuclear one. Be sure anything important is backed up locally or to the cloud before resetting! My walkthrough video below guides you through the process safely:

An OS reinstallation from a USB drive may fix update issues without deleting saves, but risks bricking if done improperly. Get help from a tech savvy friend if unsure!

For outstanding update problems, Nintendo support should be able to get your firmware on track…eventually. From my ticket history, response times range from 3 days to 3+ weeks.

Fellow gamers suffering update woes can also check the pinned thread at the top of the NintendoSwitch subreddit. Community troubleshooting has helped many when official channels move slowly.

I feel your update frustration, and I’m here for you! Let me know in the comments if any of these suggestions worked to slay your Switch’s upgrade demons. Now get out there and play!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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