The point and click thriller, ‘The Drifter’, is out now for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch
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When you finally take the plunge and buy the Switch, the last thing you want to deal with is a hardware issue standing in the way of your next binge play. However, as luck would have it, you might just encounter these hurdles sooner than you might think.
This list outlines the most common structural problems with the Switch. From warping consoles to freezing screens, these issues are annoying, but at least most have a simple solution. Keep scrolling to see what they are.
As great as the Switch console is, it’s far from flawless.
There’s no doubt that people love the Nintendo Switch. As it’s the fastest selling console in Nintendo’s history, the numbers prove that the Switch is a fan favorite, but they aren’t blind. Many of the first owners of the Switch turned to the web to complain about the seemingly cheap quality of the console and Joy-Con. They said it felt flimsy — like it was threatening to break whenever they played.
Little did they know. These were prophetic words predicting three major issues affecting Switch consoles.
The console bends:
Reports of the console warping or bending arrived just one month after the Switch’s release. Many believe it’s because of how hot the console gets when docked. The heat generated when docked for more than 40–50 hours could be the culprit. While the curve doesn’t impact your ability to mainline “Zelda: Breath of the Wild” for 10 hours straight, it doesn’t look great. Luckily, you aren’t stuck with it. Word is Nintendo will take in these warped consoles for repairs.
The fix?
If heat is the catalyst, then you need to keep an eye on its temperature whenever you’re playing in its docked position. You should also be careful with it when it’s in sleep mode. Some users have found their Switch burning up after having thrown their sleeping console in a bag.
Just because you limit docking time and play with your AC jacked doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods. Another structural issue affecting the Switch is hairline cracks in its chassis. Reports show the worst of this damage affects the vents and headphone jack. Nintendo encourages anyone experiencing this issue to contact their customer service support.
The fix?
It isn’t exactly clear if these cracks are the result of rough handling or a structural problem linked to the warping issue. In addition to keeping your Switch’s temperature low, try being extra careful with your Switch. If you carry it around loose in a bag, consider wrapping it in a Switch skin for protection.
Nintendo Switch skins from dbrand come with the company’s typical scratch-free and grime-resistant guarantee, plus a tempered glass screen protector. Both Switch skin and screen protector will fit your console perfectly, so you don’t have to worry about adding any bulk to ensure your Switch is safe.
When it’s working well, the screen doesn’t look cheap like the rest of the console. With a full sRGB color gamut, it displays beautifully crisp details ,whether as a handheld console or docked system. However, for some Switch owners, there are some issues affecting this display and their gameplay.
The Switch suffers from pixel death:
Nobody likes a dead pixel. It occurs when the LCD screen malfunctions and can no longer display the correct amount of light. As a result, the affected pixel remains permanently black. It’s annoying on any screen, but it’s especially frustrating on the Switch when you’re trying to perfect your gaming. It splits your attention between the game and those pesky dead pixels.
The fix?
Unfortunately, Nintendo isn’t a necromancer. Once a pixel is dead, it’s dead for all eternity. Nintendo claims this is just how LCD screens work, so they don’t consider dead pixels a defect. That means they won’t make good on any warranty claims over the screen.
The screen glitches:
Reports vary. Some players say their system freezes for just long enough to lose any unsaved work, while others say the Switch flashes bright lights until you restart it. Though not as heartbreaking as pixel death, a glitchy screen serves up a whole different kind of emotion when you lose hours of progress in a campaign.
The fix?
Kicking your Switch out of its fit is easy enough. You can engage a hard reset by pressing and holding its power button for 15 seconds. This seems to offer a temporary solution before the screen inevitably freezes again. For a more permanent solution, you can try trading in your Switch while it’s still under its one-year warranty.
No console is perfect, and the Switch is no exception. Luckily, most players don’t experience these issues. Nintendo claims it hasn’t “received a notable number of consumer inquiries on this topic,” which suggests two things.
So either Nintendo is hiding the extent of the Switch’s hardware fails, or the echo chamber of the Internet makes these issues seem like a bigger problem than they are. Whether you’re a pessimist or an optimist, keep these problems in mind. There’s usually a quick and simple fix if you know what you’re dealing with.
And with that said. do you agree with the items on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
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Tags: Console Gaming, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Switch, Video game console, Video games
