It’s been almost a week since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which broke records for a console release by selling more than 3.5 million units in its first four days. However, there is a bit of an issue with the system’s battery indicator, which may cause owners some frustration.
Switch 2 owners noticed that, even though the system’s battery said it was at 0%, the console was still playable for hours. Nintendo has since confirmed that this is an issue, although it appears to be a problem with the system’s software and not with the battery itself. The company provided some steps on how to possibly fix the battery indicator problem on the Switch 2.
Watch this: We Finally Unbox and Play the Switch 2. Should You Buy One?
Before tackling this problem, there are two things to be aware of. First, this is an issue that will likely be fixed in a future software update. Nintendo hasn’t said when it would be fixed, but as this is a system issue and not hardware, it does seem that a patch could address the problem. Second, the fix for this problem can take a few minutes or several hours if you need to deplete the console’s battery. It’s important to determine how this problem is really affecting you and whether it’s worth the time to fix it.
If you decide to try fixing the problem, all you’ll need is the Switch 2, the system’s AC adapter and access to the internet.
Plug the AC adapter into the Switch 2 to make sure the battery is charging and confirm the system is on the latest system update (currently version 20.1.1).
Now it’s time to go to the Switch 2’s Recovery Mode:
- Power off the console.
- Next, press and hold down the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons located on the top left of the Switch 2, then press the Power button once to turn the system on.
- Keep holding down the volume buttons until the menu for Recovery Mode appears.
- Navigating to this menu should reset the battery level meter.
- Power off the console again by pressing and holding the Power button until it turns off.
- Power the console back on.
Nintendo says just being in the Recovery Mode should fix the problem. If that still doesn’t work, there was a recommendation on the Nintendo Australia support page that involves recalibrating the battery. This method requires charging the Switch 2 to 100%, leaving it charged for an hour after, unplugging the Switch 2 while it’s on so that it discharges the battery, and then, once the battery is depleted, wait 30 minutes and then recharge it to 100%. These steps may need to be repeated; however, some users on Reddit confirmed that the first method, going to Recovery Mode, does work.
If neither method works, Nintendo says the system may be in need of servicing.