Is your Nintendo Switch Overheating all of a sudden?
Does Switch get too hot that it turns off by itself?
You may have noticed that after playing the Switch on the docking station for a few hours, the console feels much hot than usual. In fact, touching it is almost painful.
Same overheating experiences shared by other players on Reddit:
Whatever the reason, we will identify it and fix your Nintendo switch overheating while charging. You just simply need to follow the steps and read the instructions carefully.
Let’s look at some of the main reasons why Nintendo Switch Overheats.
Why is Nintendo Switch Overheating?
If you are wondering why is my Nintendo Switch overheating, it is usually caused by the following 6 main reasons:

- Long gaming sessions on Nintendo Switch
- Dust/Junk blocks the Switch ventilation
- Broken/damaged internal fan
- Poorly Ventilated area
- Game not power–optimized
- Internal problems of the Nintendo Switch circuit
Own an OLED Model? Nintendo Switch OLED Not Turning On?
What happens when Nintendo Switch Overheats?
Most of the time when you play any game, Nintendo Switch makes strange noises or your Nintendo Switch will overheat on the right side after 30 to 50 minutes of play, and the fans get loud.
Sometimes it also gets hot when charging on the dock according to a user on Reddit. This is due to the fan inside your Switch being probably broken.
We will discuss some of the best fixes that have worked in fixing Nintendo Switch Overheating and won’t turn on.
7 Ways to stop Nintendo Switch from Overheating

It is common for the console to warm up while it is on the dock, especially if you have been playing for hours.
Does Nintendo Switch Overheat every time you try to play in docked mode?
The dock does not have a fan or slots. This means that the heat produced by the Switch and the console heats up the longer you play.
If it hurts to touch your console after playing for a couple of hours, then it may be cause for concern. Otherwise, it is heating to a normal temperature range.
To fix this problem and Nintendo Switch hot in handled mode follow the below solutions:
How to stop the Nintendo Switch from overheating?
To stop the Nintendo Switch from overheating and won’t turn on apply the given steps below, but before you check out anything, ensure that the fan inside is working totally fine.
Tip 1: Restart Your Nintendo Switch
The quickest fix one could think of is: restarting!
Why?
Some operations can get stuck and run in the background causing overheating issues. A restart can easily fix such issues.
If this doesn’t work for you, then a ventilated dock can fix your Nintendo Switch overheating and won’t turn on the issue.
Tip 2: Use a well-ventilated dock to Fix Nintendo Switch Overheating
Nintendo Switch Overheating in the dock?
The design of the traditional Nintendo Switch Dock is quite flawed in terms of ventilation.
Although ventilator fans are built in to reduce heat and help with air circulation, Nintendo may be more effective in designing a dock with a less closed framework and fixing Nintendo Switch Overheating in the dock.
Probably the Nintendo Switch is getting hot because whenever it is in docked mode, both its faces are not open for airflow.
It’s a good idea to use an alternative dock with no attached design but you can still charge your Nintendo Switch with a USB-C port.

Buy this Dock With a Cooling fan to lower down the temperature within seconds!
Moving on to the next tip to fix Nintendo Switch overheating and won’t turn on.
Tip 3: Take a Break between game sessions
Is Nintendo switch hot in handheld mode?
It’s easy to end up with your consoles without a break which leads to Nintendo Switch Overheating and Turning OFF By Itself.
This is very common for regular gamers. But this exercise is not necessary for the health of your console. Maybe this is the only culprit behind your Nintendo Switch overheating problem.
Using the device for extended periods without regular breaks to allow it to cool down means insisting on working overtime. It damages the internal components considerably as well.
You should usually stop using the console when you get too hot while playing in handheld mode, as it can cause skin burns.
If you are still facing Nintendo Switch in the dock then continue to the next tip.
Tip 4: Switch Getting Hot While Charging? Disconnect from power when NOT in use
A full charge takes about 3 hours, so there’s no need to plug it in or unnecessarily turn it on. Adjust the charging time and unplug it when not in use.
So, If Switch is Getting Hot While Charging?
Then, we recommend using the Nintendo Switch Dock charger with an LED indicator.
The built-in LED indicator indicates the charging status, so when the controller and console are properly mounted on the device and it’s charging when it’s fully charged and ready to use, you can see the red is charging. Green is fully charged.

Whiteoak Switch Pro Controller Charger with LED Charging Indicator
If the LED indicator charging Dock couldn’t fix your Nintendo Switch overheating while charging then try the next tip.
Tip 5: Place Nintendo Switch in a Well-Ventilated place
There has been no wrong way to store electronics. During use, they all continuously release heat at the same time, so more than a regular air supply is required to maintain normal operation. This is the same as for the Nintendo Switch. It is in docking mode, especially when operating at maximum performance.
You could easily place a fan to continue blowing in that direction whenever it is in use as Nintendo suggests you should use the console in a place where the temperature is between 5 and 35°C (95 °F).
Or it can be easily installed on high platforms far away from other devices that are not affected by heat dissipation.
If these recommendations do not resolve the Nintendo Switch hot in handled mode, we have one more way you can fix the overheating issue.
Tip 6: Clean Regularly to Fix Nintendo Switch Overheating
Dust usually builds up in the vents and for the best efficiency, they need to be kept clean.
Also, the metal Joy-Con rail could be the reason for the Nintendo Switch overheating in handled mode. The rail may collect a lot of dust and debris over time. That’s why you should regularly clean your console’s slider rail.
And here’s a small video that will guide you on this.
You should not allow dust to build upon the vents. If there’s a lot of dust, and you can’t clean it yourself, you can take it to some expert. Otherwise, you can use a cleaning tool such as a vacuum cleaner to remove dust buildup.
You can check this Dust Blower out to keep the dust away.

If you are still having Nintendo Switch hot in handled mode then this is the least you can do before taking your console to an expert or repair center.
Tip 7: Keep Your Nintendo Switch Updated
It’s best you make sure that your Nintendo Switch is up to date as sometimes your switch getting hot in handled mode could be due to some bugs so, new updates can help fix these bugs.
Here is how you can update Nintendo Switch :
- Open the Nintendo Switch
- The HOME menu will open
- Click on the System Setting located in round icons in the Home menu
- A System Settings window will open
- Now scroll down on the left menu
- Select System
- Now Select System Update
- The Nintendo Switch will start updating the software and check if your Nintendo Switch overeating and won’t turn on is fixed or not.
Conclusion
While it is common for the switch to heat up during use, in some cases, it can overheat until it damages itself. You can avoid Nintendo Switch overheating by placing the dock in a well-ventilated place, replacing the built-in fan, or aiming AC directly while playing.
If you want to know more about Nintendo Switch simply hit the comment to let us know.
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FAQs
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Why is my Switch Overheating so quickly?
Multiple reasons can contribute to Overheating of the Switch and one of the most common reasons is dust getting accumulated in the vents and causing poor ventilation that causes the Switch to Overheating quickly.
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Can heat damage a Nintendo Switch?
Yes, the heat definitely can damage it. Nintendo Switch has its temperature limits and whenever Nintendo Switch Overheats, it usually turns off by itself, but prolonged exposure to heat can damage the internal parts as well.
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Does steam damage Nintendo Switch?
If you are in a place that’s near to kitchen/geyser, steam is inevitable to affect your Nintendo Switch. Moisture can enter your Switch, and affect the internal parts. It can also affect your screen and cause it to get blurry.
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How do I keep my Switch cool?
There are 5 ways you can keep your Nintendo Switch Cool:
1. Use a well-ventilated dock with a fan
2. Take a break between game sessions
3. Clean the Air Vents
4. Ensure the Nintendo Switch Fan is working properly
5. Take breaks between game sessions -
How water-resistant is the Nintendo Switch?
Nintendo Switch is not waterproof at all. It gets almost impossible for a gadget with vents and a fan to be IP68/67 water-resistant. It is not even spill-resistant.
If by any chance, the switch gets in contact with water, then you need to quickly turn off Nintendo Switch instantly, and then take a hairdryer to dry it for some minutes. Leave it turned off for a while and then turn it back on.
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Can I put my Switch in rice?
Rice is used to be considered a fix to dry Electronic Devices.
But, it’s not recommended as rice contains dirt that can get in your device and cause more trouble. A hairdryer and a blower can do a better job.