Regardless of what type of game you’re playing on the Nintendo Switch, audio issues can ruin the experience and bring the fun to a sudden stop. After all, a problem with the stereo system means you can’t enjoy the sound effects that often define some of the best games. If your Nintendo Switch audio isn’t working in handheld mode, there are several possible fixes to the problem.
Nintendo Switch audio issues may be the result of faulty hardware, outdated software, the wrong audio settings, or external audio connections. To resolve the audio problem, try restarting your Switch, checking the audio settings, unplugging audio devices, and updating the system.
The audio effects of your favorite games should, ideally, work smoothly on the handheld mode. In the docked mode, meanwhile, the sound is routed to the TV via a HDMI cable. There are various causes of the no-sound glitch and quick fixes to each of them. Let’s discover more about audio malfunctions on the Nintendo Switch and how to deal with them.
Why Is the Audio on My Nintendo Switch Not Working?
The audio on the Nintendo Switch console stops working for various reasons. You may notice issues like the audio not working when the console is docked, or the audio working but being too quiet. But, if you have no audio at all, here are some reasons the audio in your Switch console might not be working:
Software Issues
Gaming consoles such as Nintendo Switch depend heavily on software for effective functioning. The hardware should function seamlessly when the system is up-to-date. To keep the gaming machine in top form, Nintendo regularly updates the machine’s software.
If your Switch console hasn’t updated automatically, you might experience technical glitches such as audio problems, lagging, or stuck graphics.
Plugged in Headphones/Devices
One of the most common reasons for a lack of audio on a Nintendo Switch is the connection of external audio devices. If you’ve connected your Switch to wired headphones, you won’t hear any sound coming from the device itself.
The same applies to Bluetooth headphones or other audio devices. The system routes sound through the devices until you disconnect them.
Muted Audio Setting
Many players use headphones for gaming to avoid bothering other people in the room. This also offers a more immersive experience of the game. If you’ve set the audio to mute when using headphones, the setting could be the reason behind a lack of sound.
Hardware Issues
Nintendo Switch consoles boast sturdy, high-quality hardware. It’s rare to experience hardware malfunctions on the device. However, if you’ve tried identifying the cause of the audio issue without success, don’t rule out a hardware malfunction.
Damaged speakers, for instance, may cause the issue. If you’re using headphones and there’s no sound, this could be a problem with the external audio device and not your console.
Heat, water, and dust are some of the environmental factors that can cause damage to your console’s speakers. A faulty HDMI port or HDMI cable can also cause sound issues when the Switch console connects to a TV.
If you dock the Switch and you have sound problems, it could be an issue with the TV speakers or other external speakers.
Game/App Audio Problems
A single game or application may also have an audio problem. If you’ve been playing other games or using other apps without audio problems, it’s likely that the game or application you want to experience has an issue itself.
How to Fix the Nintendo Switch No Audio Issue
If you can’t get audio from your Nintendo Switch, don’t panic. The lack of audio doesn’t have to be a major internal issue. Here are a few simple tips to resolve the problem:
Change to Handheld Mode
If you’ve docked your Switch console, it automatically disables the machine’s speakers. The system routes the audio to your TV. To correct the lack of audio on your console, remove it from the dock station and use the handheld mode to confirm the speakers are working fine.
Update the Firmware
Your Nintendo Switch is only as good as the software powering the system. If you have outdated software, you can expect myriad glitches. You might discover there’s a pending update that can fix the audio bug to get you back into the game.
To update the system, go to the System Settings on the “Home” menu and scroll down to “System Update.” If there’s an available update, the download should start automatically.
After a system update, reboot your gaming machine and confirm if the fix has worked.
Reset the System’s Audio Setting
Incorrect audio settings on your Switch console affect sound routing. If the audio in your Switch console doesn’t work, check the settings and disable any unnecessary selection.The most likely active setting in this case is the “Mute when Headphones are Disconnected” option.
Disable the selection by pressing the volume up button or through the audio settings.
System Reboot
Restarting is the simplest trick in the book to resolve audio issues for a Switch console in handheld mode. Hold down the power button for a few seconds until you have a pop up menu.
Select the power options and choose “Restart” to refresh your console. This method resolves memory issues or bugs that cause audio problems. Confirm if the reset has solved the no-audio problem.
Unplug External Audio Devices
If you have wired or wireless Bluetooth headphones, the audio on your Switch console might not work. To sort the problem, unplug any external audio device to route the audio back to the console speakers.
Game/App Update
Test another game or application to confirm that this is not an issue with a single game. If other games have audio, you’ll have confirmed that the specific game or application has an audio issue. Check for any game or application updates to resolve the problem.
Seek Help on Nintendo Switch Forums
Still having issues? Don’t worry. There are still some options for you, and one of the best ones is to turn to other Nintendo users. The vast community of Nintendo Switch users comes in handy whenever you have a technical issue with your console.
If you type a simple search about Nintendo audio into any popular search engine, you’ll find multiple results from Nintendo forums.
Joining one of these forums can enhance your gaming experience; they often provide answers to any issues you encounter while gaming on your Switch console.
Contact Nintendo Switch Support
After trying out various solutions to resolve the audio problem, the issue might still persist. Before you give up on your Switch console, talk to the company’s support team.
The team is available on multiple channels, including email, phone, and text. Most gamers praise the efficiency of Nintendo’s technical support team. Talk to the support team about the audio problem and detail what happens when you dock the Switch or in handheld mode.
Your Nintendo Switch console is a perfect portal into fascinating fantasy worlds. If you experience problems with audio, try these easy fixes to enjoy the incredible sound effects when playing.