Charging the Nintendo Switch: 9 steps (with pictures)

Table of contents:

This wikiHow teaches you how to charge a Nintendo Switch. There are two ways to charge the Nintendo Switch. You can charge the Nintendo Switch via a USB-C charging cable or you can use the dock for the Nintendo Switch. With the dock you can charge the Nintendo Switch and also play on your TV.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Using the dock

Step 1. Plug the USB charger into a wall outlet

Plug the USB charger into a wall outlet. It is recommended that you use an official Nintendo Switch charger, such as the one that comes with the system.

Step 2. Open the back panel of the Nintendo Switchdock

The dock is the rectangular device that comes with the Nintendo Switch. It has a slot on the top where the Nintendo Switch sits. The back panel is the side with the oval Nintendo logo. Grasp the top of the back panel and pull to open it.

Step 3. Connect the USB charger to the dock

From the rear panel of the dock, connect the USB charger to the port labeled "AC adapter." The ports are located on the side of the raised surface in the back panel. Route the cable through the small slot on the side of the dock.

Step 4. Connect an HDMI cable from your TV to the dock (optional)

While it is not necessary to have an HDMI cable connected to charge the device, you do need to connect an HDMI cable to play the Nintendo Switch on your TV. With the rear panel of the dock open, connect an HDMI cable to the port labeled "HDMI Out." Route the cable through a small slot on the side of the dock. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to a free port on your HDTV.

Step 5. Close the back panel and place the dock on a solid surface

With all cables connected to the dock, close the back panel and place the dock on a solid surface with the large slot facing up. The side with the Nintendo Switch logo is the front of the dock.

If you place the Nintendo Switch on a shelf, make sure there is enough space above your head to slide the device in and out of the dock

Step 6. Place the Nintendo Switch in the dock

Slide the Nintendo Switch into the slot on top of the dock, with the screen facing the same direction as the logo on the front of the dock. A green light in the lower right corner of the Nintendo Switch will illuminate when the Nintendo Switch is properly docked.

Method 2 of 2: When using a USB cable

Step 1. Plug a USB charger into a wall outlet

It is recommended that you use an official Nintendo Switch charger, but if you don't have one, you can use a standard USB charger.

Step 2. Connect a USB-C cable to the charger (if applicable)

The official Nintendo Switch charger comes with the cable permanently attached to the charger. If you're using an unofficial charger, connect a USB-C cable to the charger. USB-C cables have an oval-shaped connector that is slightly thicker than a standard micro-USB connector.