Nintendo Switch Console Warping While Docked

A number of Nintendo Switch users are reporting that the console is warping when docked for extended periods, possibly due to the heat generated. The popular portable/home hybrid console has suffered a number of reported issues – poor Wi-Fi reception and a fault with the left Joy-Con have been particular culprits – since its launch last month, and this latest issue is sure to have Nintendo tearing its hair out.

In a post on reddit, user _NSR showed a photo (above) of a Switch console that has bowed in the middle after prolonged use when docked.

“It does get very hot, considering how small the system is and it is outputting Breath of the Wild for long periods of time on a big screen, it may be too much for it to handle,” _NSR says in the comments. “I’m wondering if it being docked is the problem though, most of my time has been on the dock, and it has to work harder to output to a larger screen.”

“Luckily it hasn’t affected the way that it plays, the lack of disc drive is definitely a good thing here,” _NSR adds.

It seems that _NSR isn’t the only Switch owner to notice this problem. NSR_’s post motivated other Switch users to check their consoles, and they too noticed that the hardware was no longer straight.

“I actually checked my Switch after seeing this. It’s starting to do the exact same thing just not as bad as yours yet. I called Nintendo and got a repair set up in like 10 minutes,” Magnaha23 wrote in response to _NSR.

“I got a prepaid label for overnight shipping,” Magnaha23 says. “Once they get it takes a few days to process and repair. If they can repair the unit, which if the whole thing is warped they probably can’t, they will send back. Otherwise, they will transfer my data over to a new unit and send that back. They said 6-8 business days once they get my Switch. We shall see.”

“It’s not super bad yet but it’s definitely noticeable,” Magnaha23 adds. “I just wanted it to get taken care of before it got too bad or it became really damaged. The support person agreed with me on that point. Let’s just say it could spin on my desk easily because it is not flat lol. I have used my Switch out of the dock about 95% of the time.”

Towelybono chimed in with this helpful tip:

“Just put it in backwards and warp it back to straight.

/Thread”

Other commenters, though, have reported that their Switch consoles appear fine.

Nintendo is yet to comment on the issue.