You’re not alone If your Nintendo Switch Lite overheats, becomes too hot to touch, or randomly turns off. Many gamers have experienced these issues with their consoles, especially during long gaming sessions. What’s going on here, and is it something you can manage?
Your Nintendo Switch Lite may be overheating due blocked ventilation ports or a damaged fan or, in rarer cases, a software or motherboard malfunction. Long gaming sessions, especially while the device is charging, can cause overheating and shutdowns. Cleaning the vents with canned air can help.
Don’t panic if your console is getting too hot and interrupting your gameplay experience. There are straightforward solutions to solve these issues. Thankfully, we’ve compiled seven easy fixes for an overheating Nintendo Switch Lite.
Why Does the Nintendo Switch Lite Overheat?
You’re not alone if your Nintendo Switch Lite (on Amazon) sometimes overheats. Many users have suffered from similar issues. There are a few reasons why a Nintendo Switch could overheat.
- Long gaming sessions: Extended gaming sessions don’t give your console adequate time to cool down and self-regulate. High-demanding and graphically intense games can exaggerate these issues.
- Dusty ventilation ports: Dust, debris, and gunk blocking the ventilation ports make it harder for the console to cool down. This can cause overheating faster than expected.
- Damaged internal fan: A damaged or broken internal fan makes it harder for the Nintendo Switch to cool down. You may notice odd sounds if you have this issue.
- Internal damage: Internal damage to the circuits, motherboard, or other components can also cause temperature issues in rare cases.
And be sure to note that this overheating can also happen on the Nintendo Switch classic, and it can usually be identified by loud fans or high-pitched buzzing (on either the Switch Classic or Switch Lite). And remember other things can make the console hot temporarily, like doing a bunch of downloads or simply charging the Switch console.
How to Fix Nintendo Switch Lite Overheating
It’s standard for the Nintendo Switch to get a little warm while playing in docked or portable mode. However, you may have more significant issues if your console is too hot to touch after a few hours of gameplay.
Thankfully, you can use the steps below to prevent your Nintendo Switch from overheating. Ensure the internal fans are working before diving in.
Restart Your Switch
We know you’ve heard it a thousand times, but have you tried turning it on and off again? Restarting your Nintendo Switch gives the console a quick break. Restarting also ensures any programs running in the background aren’t causing any issues.
Take a Break
Extended gaming sessions are the primary culprit when it comes to overheating issues. Your Nintendo Switch may even turn itself off when it gets too hot, interrupting your gameplay for good.
The internal components are constantly working when you play for long periods without a break. These parts don’t have time to slow down and cool off, causing internal damage in the process.
Be sure to take regular breaks throughout your gaming session. A 5-15 minute break every hour or two can do wonders for your health and console. You should also stop playing and turn your console off when it’s too hot to touch while in handheld mode.
Disconnect Your Console When Not in Use
If your Nintendo Switch is getting too hot while charging, be sure to unplug it from the power supply. The Nintendo Switch takes about 3 hours to fully charge, so there’s no need to leave it plugged in when not in use.
Game in a Well-Ventilated Area
Poor ventilation and temperature control extend well beyond the internals of your Nintendo Switch. Your console may overheat If you’re gaming in a room with high temperatures or poor ventilation.
Nintendo recommends storing and using the console in temperatures between 41°F and 95°F (5°C and 35°C). If you can’t easily adjust your surrounding temperature, try using a fan or a high platform to cool off your console.
Keep Your Nintendo Switch Clean!
Dust, debris, and other gunk can get caught in the Nintendo Switch’s fans and air vents. This build-up reduces performance and airflow, resulting in overheating issues.
Be sure to regularly clean your Nintendo Switch. You can use a can of compressed air (on Amazon) to get into the vents, fans, and airports. If your console is extremely dirty and you don’t want to risk anything, you can visit an expert to have it professionally cleaned.
If you take your Switch Lite everywhere with you, you might also see the value in investing in a cheap Switch Lite case (on Amazon) which can help prevent dirt and debris that might be in your bag getting into the Switch Lite.
This is important for overheating because typically the dust or blockage at the fan ports is from debris that has gotten in from the bottom of bags.
Keep Your Switch Updated
Software issues and outdated updates can cause overheating problems in some instances. It’s best to ensure your Nintendo Switch is up to date and using the latest patch. Doing so ensures there aren’t any bugs or glitches causing temperature issues. Here’s how to update your Nintendo Switch:
- From the Home menu, select ‘System Settings‘
- The System Settings menu should appear.
- Scroll down on the left-hand menu and select ‘System‘.
- On the right-hand side, select ‘System Update‘.
- Now, your Nintendo Switch should start updating if there’s an available patch. Follow any prompts necessary.
Be sure to restart your console after your Nintendo Switch has finished updating. If your overheating issue is solved, congratulations!
Is It Bad to Play the Switch Lite While Charging?
Playing your Nintendo Switch Lite while it’s charging is not harmful and will not cause damage to your console. However, your Nintendo Switch may not charge as fast, and the battery may drain more quickly than it can charge. You may also have to deal with the power cord getting in your way while you game.
To be clear, the console is designed to be used in this mode, while charging and also playing a game. It’s not going to hurt anything directly, but if the console already has an overheating issue, playing it while charging could exacerbate that issue because, overall, more heat is being generated within the console.
Playing while charging isn’t bad, it’s just putting the Switch Lite’s heat management systems on “hard more.”