Facing an orange screen on your Nintendo Switch? This a somewhat common problem with the Nintendo Switch (and it’s younger sibling, the Switch Lite) and luckily there are several quick and easy solutions you can deploy fix the problem or at least troubleshoot what your next steps should be.
The orange screen on Nintendo Switch often occurs due to poor internet connection or, very rarely, a damaged WiFi chip. Restarting the Switch and your router should solve this issue. Water or shock damage that has affected the internal chips may require a repair/replacement, (maybe under warranty).
If you want to solve this problem at home, you have to know why the orange screen appears and some possible solutions for it. If you start fixing the hardware yourself without knowing the actual cause of the problem, you might damage the console further. So, let’s learn the possible causes and solutions of the Nintendo Switch orange screen!
What Happens When Your Nintendo Switch Screen Turns Orange?
If you are here, you’ve encountered the orange screen of death on your Nintendo Switch. It’s called “the orange screen of death” because the whole screen becomes orange, and you don’t have an option to go back or forth on your Switch.
You don’t need to panic at this point because this issue is more common than you think. Now, if your Switch suddenly won’t turn on at all (or Switch Lite), see our relaeted guide for handling that slightly stickier issue, but if you still have an orange screen to look at at all we’re in business!
It doesn’t usually require any extreme repairs, and in most cases, it can be fixed within seconds. But before learning how to fix an orange screen on Nintendo Switch, you need to know why it occurs. So, let’s find out!
Causes of Orange Screen on Nintendo Switch
Understanding the causes of this problem is the best way to start to get a hold on a solution. With that mind, here are the two sort of “angles” this problem can come from: outside the console (internet) or inside it (damage to the motherboard or some chips on the motherboard). Some people who experience
Poor Internet Connection
The number one cause of the orange screen on your Nintendo Switch is a bad or slow internet connection. Bad internet connection, unresponsive ISP, and/or busy and congested Wi-Fi networks can cause the orange screen of death on your console.
While connecting to the internet on your Switch, if it has to make a connection over and over again and is still unable to find a stable connection, it shows an orange screen. This orange screen is an indication of an issue with the internet connection
Console Damage
At times, it isn’t your internet that is poor, but your device has become cripple at the point where the internet is managed internally–on the motherboard.
This can occur due to user damage such as dropping the Nintendo on the floor or a hard and heavy object hitting the console.
Keeping the Nintendo in a small pocket, leading to the console bending, can damage it. These leads to the same effect as described above: the orange screen.
How Do You Fix an Orange Screen on Nintendo Switch?
If you are looking for possible fixes for your Nintendo Switch, you are right. There are some quick and easy fixes for the orange screen on your console. So, let’s find out about them right now!
Force Shut Down
If your internet connection is stable and you face the orange screen issue, then most probably, your console is at fault. All you have to do is force shut down the console and restart it.
To do this, you have to long-press the power button of your Nintendo Switch for about 12-15 seconds until it doesn’t shut down. Wait for a few seconds and restart the console. If the problem has gone, you are good to go.
Fix your Internet Connection
If your internet connection is unstable and slow, you have to fix it. You can check the internet speed on your phone or laptop. You can fix the internet issue by rebooting your router (perform a power cycle).
Please take out the switch of your router and keep it turned off for 30 seconds. Plug the router again and check if the problem has been solved. If not, you might need to perform a factory reset on your router or call your internet service provider.
Reflow the “IC Chip”
Damage to the Switch can destroy the components inside it, leading to a bad internet connection and orange screen. To avoid this situation, you can get a bag for your Nintendo Switch. This Nintendo Switch Adventure Pack Travel Bag by Hori (on Amazon) is a great option as Nintendo itself approves it.
You need hot air to reflow the IC. Follow the steps given below:
- Open the Nintendo Switch and remove its motherboard.
- Disconnect the EMMC module from the system.
- Find the EMI shield on the WiFi IC and lift it away.
- Heat the board to about 300 celsius and apply flux to it.
- Heat it until the flux bubbles up. You can increase the temperature to 450 celsius.
- Use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean the board and attach everything back in place.
Get it Repaired
If nothing works and the orange screen keeps on coming, then you might need to get your Nintendo Switch repaired or replaced. If your Switch is still in warranty, you can send it to Nintendo and get a free-of-charge repair.
Nintendo Switch Orange Screen Repair Cost
Nintendo Switch orange screen repair won’t cost you anything if your Switch is still in warranty and you get it repaired from the company. If you haven’t damaged the Switch on purpose and you are facing any issues within the warranty time, the company is responsible for it.
However, if the warranty time is over, you might need to spend some money. It can cost around $89-101, depending upon the place where you get the repair from.
But only go for this option once you are sure that it needs to be repaired and simple fixes like the ones mentioned above aren’t gonna work out.
Other Nintendo Screen Issues
Hopefully this is your first (and only!) Nintendo Switch screen issues, but we see a lot of questions related to the Nintendo Switch and it’s screen.
Be sure to come back and check out our detailed guides if you face blue screen issues (on the Switch or Switch Lite), if you have problems with a totally black or white screen, or if you have image tearing/stretching or flickering when the Switch is docked. Lastly, you may start to find lines on your Nintendo Switch screen over time. Hopefully you don’t have to worry about any of this, but if you do, we’ve got a guide for you!