Unable to Connect With Others Online (Errors During Match-Making Process)

What to do

Perform an Internet connection test on the Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console and take note of the NAT Type, download speed, and 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.

• NAT Type A or B

  NAT type A is preferred and generally indicates that your network environment works well for connecting with other players. NAT type B is compatible with most other NAT types as well.

  Since the network environment is optimal for creating peer-to-peer connections, there may be a large amount of latency causing the match-making process to time-out.

  1. What is the download speed?

     3Mbps or higher Less than 3Mbps
  2. Are you using a wired or wireless connection?

     Wired Wireless

     Based on this result, it's possible your network speeds may be causing you to time out during the connection process.

     Use our troubleshooting to try and improve your network's download speed. For more information, see Troubleshooting Slow Download and Upload Speeds on Nintendo Switch 2 or Troubleshooting Slow Download and Upload Speeds on Nintendo Switch.

  3. Since your NAT type and download speeds appear OK, it's possible the problem could be related to the wired network environment. Try the following troubleshooting steps:

     1. Try turning off IPv6 Connection.
        • How to turn off IPv6 Connection
          1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
          2. Select Internet.
          3. Select Internet Settings.
          4. Select your network name and select Change Settings.
          5. Select IPv6 Connection to toggle it off.
     2. 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.

     3. Connect directly to your modem instead of the router to bypass other networking devices and determine if these are causing the issue.
        • You must use a USB LAN adapter to establish a wired internet connection if you are using a dock without a built-in LAN port.
     4. Restart the modem by removing the power cable for a minute, then plug it back in.
     5. Use a different ethernet cable to determine if the original cable is damaged or no longer working.
        • Issue is still not resolved
          • If the problem persists and it only happens when connecting with a specific player, the issue may be related to their network. Ask them to try the same troubleshooting.
          • If this occurs when you try to connect with any player, the issue may still be related to your network environment or router.
          • To continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the router, contact the router's manufacturer for help with the following steps:
            • Updating the router's firmware.
            • Resetting the router back to its factory default settings.
          • If you continue to experience issues when connecting directly to the modem, especially with other devices, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
          • Please contact us if you would like further assistance with the console.

     Since your NAT type and download speeds appear OK, it's possible the problem could be related to the wireless network environment. Try the following troubleshooting steps:

     1. Try turning off IPv6 Connection.
        • How to turn off IPv6 Connection
          1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
          2. Select Internet.
          3. Select Internet Settings.
          4. Select your network name and select Change Settings.
          5. Select IPv6 Connection to toggle it off.
     2. Remove your console from the dock and bring it within 10 to 15 feet of the wireless router to improve signal strength during troubleshooting.
     3. Move any metal objects or electronic devices away from your console and wireless router. This includes filing cabinets, speakers, power strips, glass, or cordless phones that may interfere with wireless signals.
     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.

        • Issue is still not resolved
          • If the problem persists and it only happens when connecting with a specific player, the issue may be related to their network. Ask them to try the same troubleshooting.
          • If this occurs when you try to connect with any player, the issue may still be related to your network environment or router.
          • To continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the router, contact the router's manufacturer for help with the following steps:
            • Updating the wireless router's firmware.
            • Resetting the router back to its factory default settings.
          • Please contact us if you would like further assistance with the console.
• NAT Type C

  Users with NAT type C network environments may have difficulty connecting to some users with more restrictive NAT types. It's possible that a large amount of latency is causing the match-making process to time-out.

  1. What is the download speed?

     3Mbps or higher Less than 3Mbps
  2. Are you using a wired or wireless connection?

     Wired Wireless

     Based on this result, it's possible your network speeds may be causing you to time out during the connection process.

     Use our troubleshooting to try and improve your network's download speed. For more information, see Troubleshooting Slow Download and Upload Speeds on Nintendo Switch 2 or Troubleshooting Slow Download and Upload Speeds on Nintendo Switch.

  3. Since your NAT type and download speeds appear OK, it's possible the problem could be related to the wired network environment. Try the following troubleshooting steps:

     1. Try turning off IPv6 Connection.
        • How to turn off IPv6 Connection
          1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
          2. Select Internet.
          3. Select Internet Settings.
          4. Select your network name and select Change Settings.
          5. Select IPv6 Connection to toggle it off.
     2. 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.

     3. Connect directly to your modem instead of the router to bypass other networking devices and determine if these are causing the issue.
        • You must use a USB LAN adapter to establish a wired internet connection if you are using a dock without a built-in LAN port.
     4. Restart the modem by removing the power cable for a minute, then plug it back in.
     5. Use a different ethernet cable to determine if the original cable is damaged or no longer working.
        • Issue is still not resolved
          • If the problem persists and it only happens when connecting with a specific player, the issue may be related to their network. Ask them to try the same troubleshooting.
          • If this occurs when you try to connect with any player, the issue may still be related to your network environment or router.
          • To continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the router, contact the router's manufacturer for help with the following steps:
            • Updating the router's firmware.
            • Resetting the router back to its factory default settings.
          • If you continue to experience issues when connecting directly to the modem, especially with other devices, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
          • Please contact us if you would like further assistance with the console.

     Since your NAT type and download speeds appear OK, it's possible the problem could be related to the wireless network environment. Try the following troubleshooting steps:

     1. Try turning off IPv6 Connection.
        • How to turn off IPv6 Connection
          1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
          2. Select Internet.
          3. Select Internet Settings.
          4. Select your network name and select Change Settings.
          5. Select IPv6 Connection to toggle it off.
     2. Remove your console from the dock and bring it within 10 to 15 feet of the wireless router to improve signal strength during troubleshooting.
     3. Move any metal objects or electronic devices away from your console and wireless router. This includes filing cabinets, speakers, power strips, glass, or cordless phones that may interfere with wireless signals.
     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.

        • Issue is still not resolved
          • If the problem persists and it only happens when connecting with a specific player, the issue may be related to their network. Ask them to try the same troubleshooting.
          • If this occurs when you try to connect with any player, the issue may still be related to your network environment or router.
          • To continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the router, contact the router's manufacturer for help with the following steps:
            • Updating the wireless router's firmware.
            • Resetting the router back to its factory default settings.
• NAT Type D

  Your network will make it difficult to connect with other players because NAT Type D is not optimal for peer-to-peer connections. Generally, players with NAT Type D can only connect to players with NAT Type A.

  You may see improvements if you try turning off IPv6 Connection for your system.

  • How to turn off IPv6 Connection
    1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
    2. Select Internet.
    3. Select Internet Settings.
    4. Select your network name and select Change Settings.
    5. Select IPv6 Connection to toggle it off.

  If you would like to continue troubleshooting your network, please contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or network administrator for further assistance in optimizing your network for video game systems.

  To continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the wireless router, contact the router's manufacturer for help with the following steps:

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

  Please contact us if you would like further assistance with the console.

• NAT type F

  NAT Type F is not optimal for peer-to-peer connections, and it generally indicates that your network is restricting communication, making it impossible to connect with other players.

  You may see improvements if you try turning off IPv6 Connection for your system.

  • How to turn off IPv6 Connection
    1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.
    2. Select Internet.
    3. Select Internet Settings.
    4. Select your network name and select Change Settings.
    5. Select IPv6 Connection to toggle it off.

  If you would like to continue troubleshooting your network, please contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or network administrator for further assistance in optimizing your network for video game systems.

  To continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the wireless router, contact the router's manufacturer for help with the following steps:

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

  Please contact us if you would like further assistance with the console.