3 Ways to Reset Your Nintendo Switch

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If you are experiencing issues with your Nintendo Switch, knowing how to reset your console could be the quickest and easiest way to fix a problem you may be experiencing.

There are three quick ways to reset your Nintendo Switch: a Soft Reset, a Factory Reset, or a Hard Reset. The kind of issue you are experiencing determines which reset you should try first. If you want to learn how to carry out each type of reset and which is best for you, we can help.

Why You May Need to Reset Your Nintendo Switch

Anything from software glitches to a complete hardware error can prompt you to reset your Nintendo Switch. Luckily, the ways to reset your Switch are quite easy but vary depending on your issue. Generally, you will need to use one of these reset options:

  • A Soft Reset can help fix any slight software issues, such as a crashed game or unreadable cartridge. Soft Resets are generally used as a preliminary way to fix common issues.
  • A Factory Reset can help fix more dire issues or if you want to wipe your Switch of data. Factory Resetting your Switch puts it in a re-sellable state and resets any software.
  • A Hard Reset is used for issues that drastically affect your Switch, like issues that impede system navigation. Hard Resets can also restore your Switch to factory settings while retaining saved data for your games.

While these methods of resetting your Nintendo Switch are a great way to deal with issues you may have with your console, you may want to double-check the most common problems on the Nintendo Switch beforehand. After all, the issue you're experiencing may not require resetting your Nintendo Switch.

1. How to Soft Reset Your Nintendo Switch

Now you know the three most common ways to reset your Nintendo Switch, and the issues that may prompt a certain type of reset, let's look at how you perform each reset method. To Soft Reset your Nintendo Switch console and attempt to fix light software issues, follow these steps:

  • Press and hold the Power button at the top of your Nintendo Switch.
  • After 10 to 15 seconds, your Nintendo Switch should power off.
  • Once you're sure your Switch has completely powered down, wait a few seconds.
  • Press the Power button once more to turn your Nintendo Switch back on.

As soon as your Nintendo Switch is fully powered on, the Soft Reset is complete, effectively refreshing any software or background processes that may have been causing the issue you experienced.

While soft resetting your Nintendo Switch may appear as simple as turning your Switch off and on, holding the Power button for 10 to 15 seconds ensures that your Switch will perform a Soft Reset instead of a simple restart. So always ensure you hold the Power button long enough for a Soft Reset to be guaranteed.

2. How to Factory Reset Your Nintendo Switch

If a Soft Reset didn't fix your issue, or the issue with your Switch is more complex, you may need to try a Factory Reset. Alternatively, if you want to sell your Switch, a Factory Reset also wipes your Switch of its data. To Factory Reset your Nintendo Switch, follow these steps:

  • From the toolbar at the bottom of the main menu for your Nintendo Switch, select System Settings.
  • From the displayed left-hand tabs, highlight System.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the options for System, and select Formatting Options.
  • From the displayed options, select Restore Factory Settings.
  • You will then be prompted that if you continue, all data will be deleted. Confirm the Factory Reset by selecting Next.

After confirming the Factory Reset, your Switch will remove all your associated accounts and start the process of wiping your data. Once completed, your Nintendo Switch will boot up like a brand-new console, ready to be used or re-sold depending on your intentions.

3. How to Hard Reset Your Nintendo Switch

Finally, if the issue with your Nintendo Switch prevents access to parts of your console or a functional fault prompts you to reset your console, you will need to try a Hard Reset. This method also allows you to keep or remove saved data. To Hard Reset your Nintendo Switch follow these steps:

  • Turn off your Nintendo Switch.
  • Hold the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power buttons all at the same time.
  • Your console will then boot into Maintenance Mode.
  • To Hard Reset your console, select Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data or Initialize Console.

Depending on whether you chose to keep saved data, your Nintendo Switch will then restart having reverted to factory settings whilst removing or retaining saved data, hopefully resolving your issue.

If your console issues persist despite attempting to reset your Switch, ensuring your Nintendo Switch is updated is another great way of potentially fixing or preventing further problems.

Know How to Reset Your Nintendo Switch and Maintain Your Console

Knowing how to perform multiple types of resets on your Nintendo Switch is an excellent way of troubleshooting issues and ensuring the health of your console.

But your Nintendo Switch also allows you to ensure the health of your console through periodic updates and improvements to navigation. So by learning system shortcuts and maintaining your console, you can get the most out of your Switch in terms of longevity and usage.

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