Docking charging station issue

apache

There seems to be no power going into my switch docking station. It works fine handheld but won't work on the TV. I checked all the cables and reset it. Wonder if anyone knows any troubleshooting?

I can't even play it handheld as none of my chargers fit the USB.

I bought a new docking station and it should be delivered tomorrow. Anyone have problems with these before? I only have the console about 4 months.

Irish Halo

Have you plugged the power cable directly into the Switch? i.e. unplugged the power cable from the dock and then into the Switch

Does that work?

If not you may just need a new power cable(and Nintendo/your retailer should provide one free)

apache

Sorry but I'm not very techy. As far as I can see only a USB can fit into the Switch. The cables going into the dock wouldn't fit anywhere. Possibly I'm blind and it does fit...

I'm collecting a new dock I bought tomorrow.

It's bad though that it's kicked the can so early.

Irish Halo

The port at the bottom of the Switch is USB C.

The official Nintendo power supply is USB C

The official Nintendo dock only supports power over USB C.

Inside the dock there are three ports marked HDMI, USB and AC Adaptor (the new OLED dock has a LAN port instead of the USB port). That AC Adaptor port is USB C and should be what the power supply is plugged into.

Disconnect the power supply from the dock and plug it into the Switch.

If the power cable you have plugged into the dock does not plug into the Switch this is your problem, you are not using the right power supply.

If it does plug in and power the Switch the dock is dead.

If it does plug in but does not power the Switch is your power supply is the issue.

If you are not using or getting an official dock you should do some research on what that could do to your Switch.

apache

Thanks for that Irish Halo but I think the actual USB slot on the Switch is damaged.

Does this connect to the dock? If so this could be the problem. Is that easy to get fixed?

I got the new dock on Amazon but it won't fit either.

Irish Halo

Yes, there is a connector in the dock (in the middle at the bottom of the slot) which plugs into the USB port on the bottom of the Switch.

The port on the Switch should look like this:

https://images.app.goo.gl/gdXDkBfxjbfSDd2X6

Is there something stuck in it?

If the port of the Switch is the problem you need to contact Nintendo for a repair:

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Contact/Repairs/Console-repairs-1766956.html

It should be free as it's in warranty.

apache

I brought it up to a tech shop this morning. I must have forced the wrong charger as the usb port was 'mangled'.

Cost €60 to fix and will be more careful in future.

apache

I just collected it. It won't work on the dock. The power light comes on but the screen is blank when it's docked.

Will I have to bring this back to the shop and pay more money?

Can play and charge handheld no problem.

Advice would be appreciated. Irish Halo can you offer any advice?

Irish Halo

When you put the Switch into the dock you see nothing on the TV? The Switch screen is always blank when in the dock.

The fact you see the green light at least suggests the Switch is connecting to the USB-C inside the dock and if it is charging then the Switch itself is probably OK.

Troubleshooting steps:

1. Is the dock connected to the TV via a HDMI cable?
2. Is the HDMI cable plugged in securely to the Switch dock?
3. Is the HDMI cable plugged in securely to the TV?
4. Do you have the TV set to the correct HDMI input? (The port will have a number beside it, use your remote to change the input to the number that matches, the button usually looks like a rectangle with an arrow pointing into it)
5. Plug the Switch and HDMI cable into a different input on the TV, does that work?
6. Use the HDMI cable to connect a different device (e.g Sky box or BluRay player) to the TV, does it work?
7. Use a different HDMI cable to connect the switch to the TV? Does that work?
8. You have two docks, no? Go through all of the above with both

Assuming you have 1, 2 and 3 sorted out:

• If when you use a different input on the TV it works just use that input, might be someting wrong with that port.
• If when you use a different HDMI cable it works the you have a bust HDMI cable, buy a new one.
• If the HDMI cable works on another device but one docks doesn't work, that dock is borked. (see link above to Nintendo's customer care)
• If the HDMI cable works with another device and both docks don't work, the switch could be borked. (see link above to Nintendo's customer care)

apache

Thanks so much for your informative reply.

When I dock the switch, the green light comes on and it won't connect to the source. It used to work fine. When I manually put it on the correct source no signal is detected. I may have damaged the dock. I tried unplugging and checking the cables. It dosen't charge in the dock either.

The other docking station I got dosen't seem to be working either.

Irish Halo

If it's both docks there is achance it is the switch, you may need to send both Switch and the orginal dock back to Nintendo:

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Contact/Repairs/Console-repairs-1766956.html

If you have Nintendo Switch Online make sure you have your saves backed up online, as they don't guarantee they won't wipe your data.

apache

You were right Irish Halo. The 2 docks are not working so must be the actual switch. Brought it back up to tech guy. He said one of the pins misaligned and it's a bit time consuming to fix so left it with him. He has to test each one and dock it each time. He said no charge this time which is good.

Good to know not using an official dock could damage the switch. Will steer clear of them.

Hopefully I'll have it back sometime next week. All this because I jammed my phone charger into it!

Thought it would be good to post my experience re repair and pricing because I hadn't got a clue before this.