Nintendo Switch Unprecedented Battery Problem Could Damage the Console

Nintendo has recently released a public advisory for owners of its popular portable gaming console, the Nintendo Switch, addressing a known issue with the device’s batteries.

Given the history of hardware problems with the console, such as Joy-Cons and battery life, it is essential for Switch owners to heed the company’s advice.

Six Years of the Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch has launched six years ago and continues to enjoy success in the gaming market. During this time, Nintendo has released numerous exclusive titles for the platform, with more to come, including the highly-anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

However, hardware issues still persist, and it is crucial for Nintendo to educate the public on how to handle known problems with the console’s built-in batteries.

Public Advisory on Battery Maintenance

Nintendo’s Japanese customer service Twitter account posted an advisory regarding the Switch’s lithium-ion batteries. The tweet warns that leaving the device unused for an extended period could render it unable to charge.

In other words, neglecting to charge the console for too long may completely drain its battery, preventing users from turning it on when they want to play games. To avoid this issue, Nintendo recommends charging the device at least once every six months.

Community Response and Battery Replacement

The tweet has garnered over 3,700 retweets, demonstrating the community’s desire to share the advisory with fellow Switch owners. While newer models, such as the V2 and Nintendo Switch OLED, boast slightly longer battery life, many gamers still own the original console version. By following Nintendo’s advice, players can extend the lifespan of their devices.

However, the company has not yet provided guidance on how to handle situations where the Switch’s battery is fully drained or unable to power on. In such cases, fans may need to replace the lithium-ion batteries through official customer service centers to keep their consoles functional.

It is hoped that the majority of the community will take Nintendo’s recommendation to heart and charge their Switch devices at least every six months.

This only gets even worse as the newly released Switch OLED console for Tears of the Kingdom might get to experience the same problems.