Troubleshooting Slow Download and Upload Speeds on Nintendo Switch

What to do

1. Perform a connection test on your Nintendo Switch console, and take note of the following results:
   • Download speed
   • Upload speed
   • How to test your Internet connection
     1. Select the System Settings icon from the HOME Menu.
     2. Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select Internet.
     3. Select Test Connection. The test will begin immediately. A message will appear stating if the test was successful with the results listed below.
        • Connection Name

          The name you have given the Internet connection, within the connection settings. If you have not named the connection, it will be displayed.

        • SSID

          The SSID of the wireless network you are connecting to.

        • Internet Connection

          The result of an Internet connectivity test. If Success is displayed, it indicates the console was able to connect with Nintendo's services.

        • Global IP Address

          The global IP address of the network you are using.

        • NAT Type

          The results of a NAT test for the network you are connecting to. This will range from A (best for peer-to-peer communication) to F (unable to complete peer-to-peer communication).

        • Download Speed

          The speed at which data was sent to you over the network you are connecting to.

        • Upload Speed

          The speed at which data was sent from you over the network you are connecting to.

     For more information, see How to Use the Internet Connection Test.

2. Compare your speeds against the following speeds:
   • 3 Mbps download
   • 1 Mbps upload

• My speeds are at or above those listed using a wireless connection
  1. Move the console within 10 to 15 feet of the wireless router to improve the signal strength during troubleshooting.
     • If you haven't already, it may be helpful to remove the console from the dock while troubleshooting, and then return the console when troubleshooting is complete.
  2. Move any metal objects or electronic devices away from your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console and wireless router. This includes filing cabinets, speakers, power strips, glass, or cordless phones that may interfere with wireless signals.
  3. Create a new Internet connection.
     • How to connect Nintendo Switch 2 to a wireless home network
       1. Place the Nintendo Switch 2 console within 10 feet of the wireless router so there will be a strong wireless signal.
       2. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
       3. Select Internet, and then Internet SettingsConfiguración de internetParamètres InternetConfigurações de internet. Your console will automatically search for nearby wireless network signals.
       4. Select the appropriate network name (SSID) from the list.
       5. Use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password, if one is required.
       6. The connection will be tested. Once the test is complete, select OK.
          • If the connection test fails, an error code and message will appear. Search for our support article on the error code for steps to troubleshoot the connection.

       For more details, please see How to Connect to the Internet on Nintendo Switch 2

     • How to connect Nintendo Switch to a wireless home network
       1. Place the Nintendo Switch console within 10 feet of the wireless router to ensure a strong wireless signal.
       2. Select Settings from the HOME Menu on the Nintendo Switch console.
       3. Select Internet, and then Internet Settings . The Nintendo Switch will automatically search for near-by Wi-Fi signals.
       4. Select the appropriate network name (SSID) from the list.
       5. If prompted, use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password .
       6. The Nintendo Switch will test the Internet connection. Once the test is complete, select OK to complete the process.

       For more information, see How to Connect to the Internet Using a Wireless Network.

  4. Power cycle your home network.
     • How to power cycle your home network
       1. Unplug the power cable from both the modem and wireless router (if separate from the modem).
       2. If the modem's lights remain on, this may indicate you have a back-up battery installed. You will need to remove this battery to power cycle the modem.
       3. After 30 seconds, plug the power cable back into your modem and wait for the lights to remain steady.
       4. Plug the power cable back into the router and wait for the router lights to remain steady.

       For more information, see How to Power Cycle a Home Network.

  5. Connect to a different wireless band if your router supports both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequency bands.
     • How to connect Nintendo Switch 2 to a different wireless band
       1. Select Settings from the HOME Menu.
       2. Select Internet, and then Internet Settings . The console will automatically search for near-by Wi-Fi signals.
       3. Select the network name (SSID) of the frequency band you are not currently connected to. Many routers will have default SSID names that label whether the connection is 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz.
       4. If prompted, use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password.
       5. The console will test the Internet connection. Once the test is complete, select OK to complete the process.

       For more information, see How to Connect to the Internet on Nintendo Switch 2.

     • How to connect Nintendo Switch to a different wireless band
       1. Select Settings from the HOME Menu .
       2. Select Internet, and then Internet Settings . The Nintendo Switch will automatically search for near-by Wi-Fi signals.
       3. Select the network name (SSID) of the frequency band you are not currently connected to. Many routers will have default SSID names that label whether the connection is 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz.
       4. If prompted, use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password .
       5. The Nintendo Switch will test the Internet connection. Once the test is complete, select OK to complete the process.

       For more information, see How to Connect a Nintendo Switch Console to the Internet Using a Wireless Network.

     • Unsure if your router supports both frequency bands

       Contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance with how to review this information within your router's settings.

  If you would like to continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the wireless router, contact the router's manufacturer for assistance with performing the following steps:

  • Updating the wireless router's firmware
  • Resetting the router back to its factory default settings

  If you would like further assistance with the Nintendo Switch console, please contact us for support.

• My speeds are at or above those listed using a wired connection
  1. Power cycle your home network.
     • How to power cycle your home network
       1. Unplug the power cable from both the modem and wireless router (if separate from the modem).
       2. If the modem's lights remain on, this may indicate you have a back-up battery installed. You will need to remove this battery to power cycle the modem.
       3. After 30 seconds, plug the power cable back into your modem and wait for the lights to remain steady.
       4. Plug the power cable back into the router and wait for the router lights to remain steady.

       For more information, see How to Power Cycle a Home Network.

  2. Connect directly to your modem instead of the router. After connecting directly to a modem, restart the modem by removing the power cable for a minute.
  3. Try using a different Ethernet cable.

  If you would like to continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the wireless router, contact the router's manufacturer for assistance with performing the following steps:

  • Updating the wireless router's firmware
  • Resetting the router back to its factory default settings

  If you would like further assistance with the Nintendo Switch console, please contact us for support.

• My speeds are below those listed
  1. Using another device connected to the same network, visit one of the following sites (or find your own by searching "internet speed test" using a search engine):
     • https://speedof.me/
     • http://www.speedtest.net/
     • https://fast.com/
  2. Follow the onscreen instructions to run the speedtest, and take note of the results.

  1. Does your network meet the speeds listed above?

     My speeds are at or above those listed with a wireless connection My speeds are at or above those listed with a wired connection No, my speeds are below those listed.
  2. 1. Move the console within 10 to 15 feet of the wireless router to improve the signal strength during troubleshooting.
        • If you haven't already, it may be helpful to remove the console from the dock while troubleshooting, and then return the console when troubleshooting is complete.
     2. Move any metal objects or electronic devices away from your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console and wireless router. This includes filing cabinets, speakers, power strips, glass, or cordless phones that may interfere with wireless signals.
     3. Create a new Internet connection.
        • How to connect Nintendo Switch 2 to a wireless home network
          1. Place the Nintendo Switch 2 console within 10 feet of the wireless router so there will be a strong wireless signal.
          2. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
          3. Select Internet, and then Internet SettingsConfiguración de internetParamètres InternetConfigurações de internet. Your console will automatically search for nearby wireless network signals.
          4. Select the appropriate network name (SSID) from the list.
          5. Use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password, if one is required.
          6. The connection will be tested. Once the test is complete, select OK.
             • If the connection test fails, an error code and message will appear. Search for our support article on the error code for steps to troubleshoot the connection.

          For more details, please see How to Connect to the Internet on Nintendo Switch 2

        • How to connect Nintendo Switch to a wireless home network
          1. Place the Nintendo Switch console within 10 feet of the wireless router to ensure a strong wireless signal.
          2. Select Settings from the HOME Menu on the Nintendo Switch console.
          3. Select Internet, and then Internet Settings . The Nintendo Switch will automatically search for near-by Wi-Fi signals.
          4. Select the appropriate network name (SSID) from the list.
          5. If prompted, use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password .
          6. The Nintendo Switch will test the Internet connection. Once the test is complete, select OK to complete the process.

          For more information, see How to Connect to the Internet Using a Wireless Network.

     4. Power cycle your home network.
        • How to power cycle your home network
          1. Unplug the power cable from both the modem and wireless router (if separate from the modem).
          2. If the modem's lights remain on, this may indicate you have a back-up battery installed. You will need to remove this battery to power cycle the modem.
          3. After 30 seconds, plug the power cable back into your modem and wait for the lights to remain steady.
          4. Plug the power cable back into the router and wait for the router lights to remain steady.

          For more information, see How to Power Cycle a Home Network.

     5. Connect to a different wireless band if your router supports both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequency bands.
        • How to connect Nintendo Switch 2 to a different wireless band
          1. Select Settings from the HOME Menu.
          2. Select Internet, and then Internet Settings . The console will automatically search for near-by Wi-Fi signals.
          3. Select the network name (SSID) of the frequency band you are not currently connected to. Many routers will have default SSID names that label whether the connection is 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz.
          4. If prompted, use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password.
          5. The console will test the Internet connection. Once the test is complete, select OK to complete the process.

          For more information, see How to Connect to the Internet on Nintendo Switch 2.

        • How to connect Nintendo Switch to a different wireless band
          1. Select Settings from the HOME Menu .
          2. Select Internet, and then Internet Settings . The Nintendo Switch will automatically search for near-by Wi-Fi signals.
          3. Select the network name (SSID) of the frequency band you are not currently connected to. Many routers will have default SSID names that label whether the connection is 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz.
          4. If prompted, use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password .
          5. The Nintendo Switch will test the Internet connection. Once the test is complete, select OK to complete the process.

          For more information, see How to Connect a Nintendo Switch Console to the Internet Using a Wireless Network.

        • Unsure if your router supports both frequency bands

          Contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance with how to review this information within your router's settings.

     If you would like to continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the wireless router, contact the router's manufacturer for assistance with performing the following steps:

     • Updating the wireless router's firmware
     • Resetting the router back to its factory default settings

     If you would like further assistance with the Nintendo Switch console, please contact us for support.

     1. Power cycle your home network.
        • How to power cycle your home network
          1. Unplug the power cable from both the modem and wireless router (if separate from the modem).
          2. If the modem's lights remain on, this may indicate you have a back-up battery installed. You will need to remove this battery to power cycle the modem.
          3. After 30 seconds, plug the power cable back into your modem and wait for the lights to remain steady.
          4. Plug the power cable back into the router and wait for the router lights to remain steady.

          For more information, see How to Power Cycle a Home Network.

     2. Connect directly to your modem instead of the router. After connecting directly to a modem, restart the modem by removing the power cable for a minute.
     3. Try using a different Ethernet cable.

     If you would like to continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the wireless router, contact the router's manufacturer for assistance with performing the following steps:

     • Updating the wireless router's firmware
     • Resetting the router back to its factory default settings

     If you would like further assistance with the Nintendo Switch console, please contact us for support.

     If you continue to receive download speeds less than recommended, please contact your network administrator or Internet Service Provider for further assistance.

     If the results received are expected with your service, you may need to upgrade your service for a better experience. If the results are not typical, the service provider can likely assist in troubleshooting your Internet service.

     If you would like further assistance with the Nintendo Switch console, please contact us for support.