Switch Won’t Connect To Internet – Why & How To Fix It?

There’s plenty you can do on the Nintendo Switch without an internet connection, but the lack of one creates a real problem even in games that aren’t online. The internet is necessary to get software and system updates, download games, and even push firmware changes to your controllers. If the Switch is suddenly not connecting to the internet, your best bet is to try to fix it immediately, even if you aren’t planning to use the connection right away.

Why Won’t My Switch Connect to the Internet?

How to Fix My Switch’s Internet Connection?

To troubleshoot a Switch that won’t connect to the internet, check your connection, determine whether Nintendo is online, and then troubleshoot your console. Finding out the first two pieces of the puzzle before beginning to work on your Switch can help save you time and energy.

After all, there’s no point in resetting your Switch’s network settings if the problem is with your internet service provider.

Restart the Switch

Before you do anything else, restart your Switch. Many players find it fixes connection issues. Sometimes you may need to restart it a few times to get it to work. 

Check Your Internet Connection

There are a few ways to check your internet connection. The best way to be sure it’s even active is to log into your ISP’s website and do a status check. It can tell you whether there are issues in your area or with your specific connection.

You can also get on another device connected to the same internet connection to see whether it connects. Perform a speed test as well. If the internet is very slow or your ping is unexpectedly high, it could indicate a problem with your service.

If all seems well, the best thing to do is reset your router and modem’s connections in case there’s an invisible issue that a restart can fix. 

1. Unplug your router and modem from the wall. Doing this will completely disconnect you from the Internet. Leave them unplugged for a few moments. 
2. Plug the modem back in and leave it for two minutes. During this time, the indicator lights should begin to turn on. Check your manual if you aren’t sure what the arrangement of lights means, but you want them to be on and active before moving on to the next step.
3. Plug the router back in and let it fully grab the connection. You don’t want to start reconnecting to it right away. Give it time to get online and start sharing the connection.
4. Press the Power button on your Switch and hold it down for three seconds. You’ll gain access to a selection of options.
5. Select Power Options.
6. Select Turn Off.
   
7. Press the power button to turn the Switch back on. Let it load in fully and try the connection again.

If it works now, the problem was with the connection from your router and modem. You should be clear to enjoy your Switch with no further issues. If it didn’t work, continue trying to figure out the source of the problem.

Check Nintendo’s Online Status

Nintendo has remarkable uptime, but the service will inevitably go down sometimes. If the server status is offline, you can’t connect to almost anything Nintendo offers.

1. Use your web browser to open the Nintendo Network Status page. 
2. Read the remarks under Online Service Status. Usually, it will say the service is operational. If it says anything to the contrary, that’s the source of your problem.
   
3. Check for maintenance and future maintenance while you’re on the page. If they’re currently undergoing maintenance, you may not be able to use online services during that time.

Take a break from the Switch while you wait for the services to be back online. You should be able to log on to the site again to get updates as needed.

Lower the Distance

Nintendo recommends trying to lower the distance between the Switch and your router if you can’t connect. This will give you a good baseline for whether the positioning is the problem and let you adjust from there.

1. Move within 10 feet of the router. You want to be as close as possible.
2. Power on the Switch and press the Home button.
   
3. Choose the Settings option.
4. Select Internet.
5. Select Internet Settings. Once you do this, the Switch should start scanning for available wireless signals in its area. If you need to manually refresh the search, use the Y button.
   
6. Click on your network in the list. Enter the password when prompted to do so.
7. Click OK once the test is complete. If the test finds errors, note what problem it says it’s having.

There are a few issues you may find when you do this.

• The network name isn’t showing: If that’s the case, the issue may be that the network you’re connecting to isn’t compatible for some reason. Try searching again.
• No networks are showing: If multiple connections have disappeared and you can’t connect anywhere, there might be a problem with your Switch’s networking devices. This could be a situation where you need a professional repair.
• Network name is there but is gray and you can’t select it: It’s probably because of incompatibility with the wireless security the Switch requires. The Switch works with wireless modes 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac. It works with wireless security modes WEP, WPA-PSK (AES), and WPA2-PSK (AES). You may need to adjust your router settings in the Gateway and Wi-Fi areas.

If none of those issues appear and it shows the network but refuses to connect, it’s likely a problem with the Switch. However, try a few more things before considering a repair. 

Try Manual Setup

If you can’t see your network, it’s possible that you can use the Manual Setup option to connect anyway. You must know a lot of information about your connection to set this up properly.

1. Press Home, and then choose System Settings.
2. Choose Internet, and then select Internet Settings.
3. Click Manual Setup at the bottom of the page. You should be able to find it below the listed wireless networks.
   
4. Enter a nickname for the network on Network Name section. This can be anything you want to help you remember what it is. 
   
5. Enter the name of the SSID, which is the broadcast name of the network you’d usually see in the list. Make sure to use the proper case.
6. Choose the type of security and enter the password if needed.
7. Choose Automatic on IP Address Settings. If you know the information, you can also choose Manual and input the IP address, gateway, and subnet mask on your own.
8. Choose Automatic or Manual for DNS settings and enter the DNS addresses if you chose manual. 
9. Choose your appropriate proxy settings.
10. Enter the MTU.
11. Choose On or Off for the Hidden Network option, depending on your preference.
12. Choose Save.
13. Select Connect to this Network. It should run a test to make sure it’s connected and stable.

If that doesn’t work, it might be time to consider getting professional help to get back online.

You should also consider:

• Use a 5GHz network if you’re using a 2.4 GHz network. Many users report having better results with the higher band.
• Rename your network connection, restart the Switch, and see if it can be located with the new name. 

These solutions sometimes work when others don’t. 

Hit the Road

If you still can’t connect, take advantage of the Switch’s portability. Head out to a location with open wireless networks where you can try to connect the Switch. If it connects to other networks, you know the problem is with your home network. If it doesn’t, then you have a problem with the Switch.

At this point, you can reset your Switch and router. Doing so may fix all your problems and get you back online. Be wary, though. The Switch can’t update without a connection and will undoubtedly need some updates after resetting.