Fix: Nintendo Switch Blue Screen of Death (8 Proven Ways)

Nintendo Switch Blue Screen: When I saw a blue screen on my Nintendo Switch, I was worried because it was about a few months from the purchase.

But, when I went online to see why this happens and what can I do to deal with this, I saw, not only me but a lot of people were facing the same problem. Although, some of them were Nintendo users and some were Nintendo Lite. 

Being a tech guy, it didn’t take me much time to understand the exact problem. Behalf of the knowledge which I have gathered and understood, I easily managed to solve the issue for myself and I have firm faith that it would also help you! 

So, if you are trying to figure out the blue screen issue with your Nintendo or Nintendo Lite switch, this blog will make your day and save you money.

In this guide, I will tell you the 6 proven methods to fix the blue screen of death issue on Nintendo Switch. All the methods will be very easy to perform, except one method. A single method will include some technical steps but do not worry, I will try to make all the steps easy to perform.

Before moving on to the solutions, let me explain quickly why this issue is happening to you.

Causes

The main cause for the Nintendo switch’s blue screen of death is the communication hindrance between the CPU and RAM. However, this hindrance can happen due to software issues or hardware issues. 

If somehow your Nintendo board is bent, which can happen if the board is dropped, or hit or if any heavy object is placed on it, the solder balls on the system may get loosened, as a result, communication between CPU and RAM could be hindered. Rather than this, you can see this problem if there are any software issues such as unnecessary system files, any pending updates, wrong settings, etc.

So if I list out the main causes of the Nintendo Switch BSOD issue, here you will find them:

1. Internal Damage: if you drop the switch or anyhow the CPU loses its fitting, your switch can start malfunctioning.

2. Unsupported third-party accessories: usually Nintendo Switch works well with peripherals and docks but rarely, faulty third-party peripherals or accessories can be a culprit to getting a blue screen of death.

3. Unnecessary system files: this is one of the most common causes of getting the blue screen of death on Nintendo Switch, but luckily, it is very easy to solve. You just need to hard reset your Switch.

4. Outdated System Software: outdated system software could be the cause, but it can be easily updated to the latest version by going to the system settings and then the system and selecting the system update option.

Whichever the case may be, I am going to save you time by providing the steps to fix this BSOD issue on your Nintendo or Nintendo Lite switch.

The Very First Thing to do to Get Rid of This Problem 

Before diving into the solutions, just try these simple steps that are sufficient most of the time.

If you are troubled with the BSOD issue with your Nintendo switch then, 

1. Perform a power reset: press and hold the power button on your switch and wait for 30 seconds. After that, press the power button again to initiate your console.

2. Try to update the software: if the issue is intermittent, updating the software can solve it. Go to system settings then system and select system update.

3. Detach any accessories: sometimes, third-party chargers, controllers, or other connected peripherals can cause display issues. So, if you use any kind of peripherals that are not supported, detach them and try again.

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How to fix the Nintendo Switch Blue Screen of Death?

To fix the blue screen of death on the Nintendo switch, initialize the switch in maintenance mode, perform a hard power reset, install the pending updates for the system software, detach any unsupported accessories or peripherals connected to the switch, or perform a CPU and/or RAM reflow.

Method 1- The Maintenance mode

Initialization of the console in maintenance mode could solve the issue of BSOD. In this, you won’t lose any data so it’s completely different from a factory reset. 

Let’s see the steps in detail!

• Press and hold the power button on your Nintendo Switch and let it turn off. 

• Press the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons together and press and hold the power button. Don’t leave the buttons until the switch boots up into maintenance mode.

• Once your console is initialized in the maintenance mode, select ‘Initialize console without deleting save data‘, and on the next page, select ‘Next’.

• To confirm the process, again click on ‘Initialize console without deleting save data’. 

Once the process is completed, your switch will need to be rebooted and the issue should be fixed.

Note- If the switch fails to go into maintenance mode, and returns at the start (the blue screen), then press the power button. As soon as you see the Nintendo logo, leave the power button and press and hold the volume buttons until the maintenance mode shows.

If it still doesn’t take you to maintenance mode, try the next applicable method.

Method 2- Perform a Soft Power Reset

A soft power reset will allow the switch to drain the power from it. Sometimes, it could help to solve the blue screen issue with the switch. 

This is how it works:

Turn On your Nintendo switch and keep it until the battery is drained and the switch is turned off completely. Do not connect the charger during this. Let the switch discharge and turn off itself. Once the battery drains, press and hold the power button for at least 20 seconds. After this, connect the charger and charge the switch, turn On it again, and see if the blue screen is again appearing or not.

It is a time taking process in itself, it may take days to drain the power from the batteries completely. 

If you don’t want to do this, you can always come back and try the following method.

Method 3- Perform a Hard Power Reset 

This is a quick process as compared to soft power resetting. 

To do a hard power reset, press and hold the power button on your switch and wait for 30 seconds. After that, press the power button again to initiate your console. When the switch is turned Off, leave it for a few minutes before turning it On again.

This simple process sometimes feels very helpful to resolve the issue of BSOD with your Nintendo switch.

Method 4- Update the System Software 

Updating the system software? How could it be possible if I don’t have access to the settings dashboard? Isn’t it your question? Well, it is possible! 

Although you can’t access the settings dashboard, you can do it via the recovery or maintenance mode menu, how? Let’s see.

Just initialize your switch in maintenance mode and then, select ‘Update System’ from the options. 

A popup will appear saying ‘Preparing to update system’. If a new version is available, you will see that, go ahead and install that version so that the system software could be the latest and the issue could be resolved.

If you already have the latest version of the Nintendo Switch software and are still facing the blue screen, move on to the next workaround. 

Method 5- Detach Unsupported Accessories 

Rare but possibly the accessories or the peripherals that you are using with your new Nintendo switch could create an issue. 

Generally, Nintendo switches are very good with these peripherals but, sometimes a third-party charger, controllers, or other connected peripherals can cause display issues with the switch. 

Just detach all the peripherals from the switch and see if this helps to resolve the problem or not.

Method 6- Factory Reset Your Nintendo Switch

Note- It’s important to note that a factory reset will erase all data stored on the device, including saved games, user accounts, and personal settings.

If you can access the settings dashboard, you can easily factory reset your Nintendo switch. Here is how.

To perform a factory reset on your Nintendo Switch, follow these steps:

• Access the “System Settings” from the Home screen.

• Scroll down and choose the “System” option.

• In the System section, select “Formatting Options.”

• Choose “Factory Reset” from the options available.

• Carefully follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.

But, in most cases, users won’t access the settings dashboard. In this situation, it would again be done in maintenance mode.

• Press and hold the power button to turn off your Nintendo switch. 

• Once it is turned Off, press the volume up and down buttons, and at the same time, press the power button to turn your switch On. 

• Your switch will boot up in maintenance mode. 

• Once it is in maintenance mode, select  ‘Initialize Console’ and click on the ‘Continue’ option. 

• Wait until the process is completed. 

Method 7- Perform a CPU or RAM Reflow 

As I have told you earlier, the blue screen of death on Nintendo switches is usually caused by a hardware issue. If the switch drops out, or you or any of the others put any heavy object on the switch, due to which, the panel could be relatively fragile and can bend from stress then, the blue screen could appear. 

When you perform a Reflow, this will re-connect the loose solder balls from the board bending. In 95% of cases, this fixes the problem permanently. 

To check if this will really work or not, power off your Nintendo switch. Once the switch is off, go ahead and open up the system with a screwdriver. Find the CPU and apply some pressure on it. Now, turn on the console while still applying pressure on the CPU. If your Switch turns on without a blue screen, then the reflow process will definitely fix the issue.

The below-given video guide can help you to find the exact way if you are missing or not able to understand clearly.

However, this would need some technical knowledge but, it will fix the issue permanently! If you do this on your own, this will save you money otherwise you can be charged if you have reached the warranty period. 

If your switch is under warranty, contact Nintendo support to repair it without any cost. 

Method 8- Contact Nintendo Support 

You should never forget to connect with Nintendo support if your switch is under the warranty period. This way, you can easily repair or replace your switch without paying any dollars. 

If your switch has exceeded the warranty time and you have applied all the methods but the problem is the same as when it was in starting, I would suggest contacting a nearby Nintendo switch repair shop.

Repair Cost for Blue Screen of Death on Nintendo Switch

The repairing cost for the blue screen of death on Nintendo switch lies between 99$ to 120$ depending upon the location where you live. However, if Nintendo does the repair, they will provide you with a price quote. If the switch is under the warranty, all the repair or replacement costs would be free.