Fix Your Stuff Community Store

The Nintendo Switch is a handheld game console that can be played on the TV via a docking station, or on the go. Released March 3rd, 2017.

703 Questions View all

Options

Fixing the Nintendo Switch Dock (no signal/LED blinking)

Hi,

My Nintendo Switch is just over a year old now and out of warranty, and I'm having issues with my Nintendo-licenced dock. Basically, when I insert my Switch, the device charges and outputs a signal normally for a few seconds, then all power drops and the LED starts blinking on the dock.

I can charge my device by plugging it directly in the USB-C power brick.

As Nintendo recommends, I tried unplugging both the power and HDMI cables, waiting a few minutes, inserting the power cable back, then the HDMI cable, then the Switch, and while this solution worked last week when the issue first appeared, it no longer works now.

Here in Canada, Nintendo charges $100 + $10 shipping + tax for setting up a repair, or $75 + 7$ shipping + tax for a refurbished dock. If possible, I'd prefer reparing the dock myself.

Do you know what causes this issue and how to fix it?

Thanks!

Update (07/24/2018)

Just a quick update: my issue has shifted to something similar to this: Nintendo Switch not charging, USB-C port, BQ24193 or M92T36 chip?

I have replaced the Switch dock with another official dock, but I have not replaced the AC adapter. With this new official dock, I still get the blinking LED/no charging/no HDMI output issue. I can however charge my console by plugging it directly in the AC adapter.

This shows that the dock itself cannot be at fault, since the issue persists with another official dock. Two possible culprits remain: the AC adapter or the Switch itself. I will try to get my hands on another AC adapter and see if the issue is resolved.

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 2
9 Comments

I bought an Insignia dock (AFAIK, the only dock that doesn't brick the console) as a replacement, and it works perfectly, which shows that the problem lies with the official dock. But even though the Insignia dock works, I would like to repair the official dock if possible.

by

and, then again it may not be the dock after all.....

i had to do a factory reset on my tv and all is fine, hope this helps

cheers!

by

What work for me was holding the power button for 15 seconds then try turning it back on after 1 minute. This forces the switch to turn off since his basically on sleep mode

by

Thank you optimusxcrime Darkside! I struggled with this for an hour this morning before finding this thread. Doing a factory reset on my TV never would have occurred to me but it did indeed fix this problem for me. Thank you!!!

by

QUESTION!, has anyone had this problem where your switch CHARGES on the dock.. but does not project anything on the TV. BUT after testing another dock and nintendo switch.. Its clearly something specific to the switch, has anyone had experience with this?

by

Show 4 more comments

Add a comment

13 Answers

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Chosen Solution

Options

It turns out that neither the dock nor the AC adapter were faulty, since they both worked fine with another Switch. My original Switch had a faulty USB-C port, which wouldn't connect properly to the cable unless I would wiggle the cable around, hoping for the connection to be made.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 2

3 Comments:

Had the same problem I fixed it by flipping the USB type c in the dock over

by

Thank you DracoXDragon. I just fixed mine by following your advice.

by

Where can i find instructions on how to do this?

by

Add a comment

Options

Hi!

Had the same problem…

Console would charge if connected directly to the charger, but in dock, it would only blink, no charging, no HDMI output.

Stupid as it sounds: carefully cleaning the contacts of both “DC in” as well as the dock connector inside the slot did the trick - suddenly the console would charge again and HDMI out would work again.

Hope that helps other folks with this problem…

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 1

2 Comments:

Little update: I changed both the console and the dock, and the new dock also has problems making a connection to the console. The new console properly charges with the AC Adapter directly plugged in, but I have to wiggle it a bit in the dock for the connection to be made. Definitely some quality assurance issues with the dock and the USB connector...

by

Did you fix the issue?

by

Add a comment

Options

My dock ain’t charging and projecting on my TV, I tried to play on Thursday and ain’t working. I unplugged both cables as Nintendo suggests and nothing. Also I tried charging directly from the Type C cable from different power cores of the house and nothing. What can I do?

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

I'm having sort of the same issue it's like the dock has just died, then I unplug the dock and plug it back in the the green LED light blinks then it's never to be seen again haha when I put the switch into the dock it then blinks again then nothing. I'm not sure if it's and dock or an adapter problem

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

2 Comments:

Update I fixed it, I held the power button in for around 15 to 20 seconds while it was in the dock I read that in this thread so thank you to the dude that added it in

by

So did you leave everything plugged in while your dock was blinking?

by

Add a comment

Options

I’m having a similar issue right now, where my dock’s LED blinks once and goes out however my Switch is still being charged. No input registered by my tv. So I’m not sure where the problem is.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Same here. Exact same problem. Went to my brothers house and tested the dock. The dock does not work. Tested the switch in his dock did not work.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

3 Comments:

I think that you, The Demon Cat and I all had the same problem. I'm pretty sure that the issue is caused by the console's USB-C socket, that over time can become loose or otherwise damaged. The console then cannot connect to the dock or even to the AC adapter.

A replacement socket seems to cost around $6 on eBay, but judging from YouTube videos, this doesn't look like an easy repair.

by

Hi I’m having the same problem. I tried my brother dock and it still wouldn’t connect to the tv, but it charges while on the dock. Did anyone resolve this issue?

by

God I miss the days of Nintendo's $@$* being IRL Vibranium. ugh.

by

Add a comment

Options

Hi guys, just wanted to add my 2 cents, I had the exact same issue, nothing would charge, not when plugged in directly or via the dock.

The green light would go on and then off again shortly after. I saw a mention in an above comment that worked for me…

Put the switch in the dock, press and hold the power button for like 20 seconds, and then it started to work again!

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

1 Comment:

I replaced the socket in mine. Didn't fix it

by

Add a comment

Options

Yes, the problem lies in the USB-C socket innthe console. At least when the dock is ok, and the console won’t show up on TVs on other docks too. Then it is one or more of the 12 small underpins of the socket that is not properly connected to the motherboard, or pins in the socket are broken. New, properly connected port is the solution, or switching the port around in the dock.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Hi! I finnally got the answer to this dumb problem. As crazy as this may sound, your Dock connection probably is loose. The same issue happened to my dock last week and I fixed it by applying pressure to the dock and getting it firm. Usually when you clean it or move the dock too much the connector will start to move and therefore it will cause contact problems.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Same issue but after a power outage. Turns out the power adapter was shot and the ports needed cleaned.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

So the problem still persists, tried every solution I can find in the comments.
tried on multiple tvs

master reset console

new dock and cables

hold power button 20 seconds while in dock

NOTHING

Switch works fine by itself and charges fine, green light flashes on both docks on different TVs. Other switches work fine in both.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

I tried almost everything and even got to the point where I was looking for the receipt to return it. Finally, I saw a video that suggested I turn down the resolution on the switch’s TV settings. Id already turned it down to 720p but nothing was showing. I turned it down to 480p and now I have picture and sound.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Same problem here with the USB-C not connecting properly to the system causing an immediate green connectivity light then disappearing within 100th of a second. When docked the system shows that it’s charging but it doesn’t seem to be providing much power since, while working on the dock, it’s draining at a rate faster than it’s replenishing; additionally, the system is not connecting to the TV (which the biggest problem). I tried the 30 second off then power on, cleaning the connectors with rubbing alcohol, juggling the system in the dock to see if it would realign, removing the cables and reinserting them in a specific order as others directed, removing the HDMI ports from my television, turning the television on and off to reboot …. and still nothing.

Here is what I deduced: it has to be the USB-C connection to the HDMI not making contact somewhere in the transducer inside of the back of the system or a faulty USB-C at the point of connection to the Switch. Anyone else have any amazing ideas (other than buying an aftermarket Dock while awaiting to get the original fixed) let all of us know.

Sorry I couldn’t be more help. Eeeh… dang it.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

1 Comment:

mine suddenly started working again, after a year of the problem, and me buying another switch.

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Louis will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 7

Past 7 Days: 126

Past 30 Days: 442

All Time: 133,728