Rising Temperatures Affect Consoles Too
With soaring summer temperatures, it’s not just people who are feeling the heat — electronic devices, including gaming consoles, are also under pressure. Recently, increasing reports have emerged from Nintendo Switch 2 users describing overheating issues. Interestingly, these aren’t limited to active gameplay sessions.
Shutdowns During Gameplay and Heat While Idle
A number of Reddit users have shared concerning experiences. One user, NitroWalrus732, noted that their Nintendo Switch 2 repeatedly shut down while playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The console reportedly turned off as a protective measure when internal temperatures became too high, something that can happen when room temperature is elevated, ventilation is poor, and demanding games are being played.
However, more surprising are the accounts from other users who claim their device becomes warm even while resting unused in the dock. This suggests that the problem may not be entirely due to external temperatures or gameplay load.
Ethernet Connection Under Scrutiny
One possible cause, according to Redditor _rodnii, could be the Ethernet connection. They suggest that keeping the wired connection active in sleep mode may lead to continuous data activity, which in turn heats up the console. After disabling the “Maintain wired connection in sleep mode” setting, _rodnii reported that their device now remains cool.
More Serious Hardware Concerns for Some Users
The situation appears more serious for user Sneezel883, who described coming home to find their docked Switch 2 noticeably hot to the touch. Even more troubling was the rapid battery drain — from 85% down to 65% in just 20 minutes. This behaviour suggests a potential hardware fault, and the user was advised to contact Nintendo directly for support.
While it’s common for electronic devices to warm up under heavy use, unexpected heat during idle times should be investigated promptly to avoid potential hazards such as fire risks.
Limitations in Display Features and Dock Compatibility
In a separate set of findings, new information has come to light regarding the Switch 2’s display capabilities and its dock. While the handheld console supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) on its built-in screen, the feature is not available when connected to a television — despite earlier assumptions that this limitation was due to the dock itself.
Tests conducted by The Verge using third-party gaming handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X confirmed that the Switch 2’s dock is capable of outputting 4K at 120fps with VRR. This raises questions about why Nintendo has disabled VRR over HDMI, and whether it might eventually be enabled through a software update.
Encrypted USB-C Port Blocks Third-Party Docks
In addition, it has been confirmed that Nintendo has encrypted the Switch 2’s USB-C port, effectively locking out third-party docking stations. This move appears to be an attempt to control hardware compatibility. Despite this, manufacturers like Antank have managed to create compatible docks, such as the S3 Max, but concerns remain. Jsaux, another accessory maker, warns that Nintendo could further restrict access via future firmware updates.
As a result, the use of alternative docks — including compact travel versions or video headsets — may become less attractive, potentially frustrating users looking for more flexibility.
