Switch 2 Ethernet Port Malfunctions for Many Users: Nintendo Yet to Release a Fix

Key Takeaways

• The newly added Ethernet port on the Nintendo Switch 2 does not work for several users.
• Hasty production to beat scalpers may be one of the causes of this malfunction.
• It's still unclear whether the fault is hardware or software-related as we wait for a fix from Nintendo.

Launched on June 5, the Nintendo Switch 2 had a great start, as it sold around 3.5M units in just the first four days. However, this enthusiasm seems to have been dampened thanks to several reports of the Switch 2 dock Ethernet ports not working. Users have complained that the newly added dock with a Gigabit Ethernet port just doesn't work.

If you look into Switch 2's internal settings, something just doesn't feel right. The console connects to a nearby wireless network by default, meaning you need to choose the Ethernet connection manually.

Ideally, there should have been an option during start-up or first connection asking the users to choose between the two. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. Also, restarting the console doesn't solve the problem for most users, and it's still unclear whether it's a software or hardware-related problem.

There has been no acknowledgement from Nintendo so far, but from what we could gather from their policy, users would have to ship their entire console for repairs, even though it's just the dock that's malfunctioning.

Hasty Production to Beat Scalpers?

While we still can't put a finger on the exact cause, hasty production to beat scalpers may be one of the reasons behind this issue.

When the PS5 was launched in 2020, a scalper group called CrepChiefNotify swept away 3,500 consoles in a matter of seconds before any human could possibly buy them - something they bragged about on X. These were then sold on resale websites like eBay for more than double the MSRP.

Source | CrepChiefNotify on X

The Switch 2 was undoubtedly a major gaming console launch, and Nintendo ensured they had taken appropriate anti-scalping' measures to counter bots sweeping the entire stock.

One such measure was delisting resellers in Japan and requiring a Nintendo account for pre-orders. Beyond this, the company didn't provide exact details on its anti-scalping methods.

However, it now seems like the company might have pushed production before launch to meet the market demand. This puts more pressure on the assembly line, leaving little time or efficiency for product tests.

Plus, the Gigabit Ethernet port is a new addition to the Switch line; it didn't feature in its predecessor. New hardware increases the risk of first-run defects, calling for robust production test runs.

So, it's quite possible that Nintendo put the foot on the pedal in its quest to beat scalpers, which unfortunately translated into port defects.

It's also worth noting that this could possibly be a firmware-related issue as well. However, as per the Reddit post, there are no dock updates available at the moment. Now, if there's no hardware malfunction involved, the issue can be solved with an update, which might be released in a few days.

On the flip side, hardware-related issues can take a bit of time to get fixed. You'll need to send the console to Nintendo; they'll inspect and repair (or replace) it and send it back to you. This could easily take a few weeks, which may also affect Switch 2 sales in the short run.

Competition Pressure

Until a fix is found, new buyers may refrain from investing in Switch 2. This means that neutrals (non-Nintendo fans) who just need a good handheld console may shift their attention to the newly revealed Xbox handhelds: the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.

The Xbox Ally has done a good job when it comes to storage and processing power. While the Switch 2 has 12 GB of memory and 256 GB of internal storage, the Xbox Ally features 16 GB of RAM with 512 GB of storage.

Xbox aims to make Windows 11 more compatible and optimized for its handheld devices, thereby looking to explore a new market segment.

Although Xbox isn't in direct competition with Nintendo, the faults in Switch 2 may push players looking for something fresh in the gaming industry towards Xbox's handhelds.

For now, we'd have to wait for a response from Nintendo and the fix they decide to offer.

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