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I was lucky enough to get a Switch and it doesn't even work properly.

bman94

Member
I was lucky enough to get a Switch yesterday at Walmart. Including the one I bought, all 5 Switches at Walmart were bought up in 3 minutes.

I finally opened it up today cause I got some games for it and it doesn't fucking work in docked mode. It froze numerous times, the UI is completely unresponsive and the image quality looks dreadful. It's literally unplayable in docked mode.

In portable it works perfectly. There's no issues with slow down, it looks great, sounds great all that. The system is fully updated as well.

This is such bullshit. I finally get lucky enough to find one in the wild just for it not to work. I bought it to be a console not a handheld and now I'm out 300 fucking dollars for something broken out of the box.

Please someone tell me there's a fix to this and I'm just being over dramatic. I don't even know if you can return shit like this back to Walmart. And even if I can then I got to hope and pray that I see another Switch in the wild again.
 

Peltz

Member
Try holding down the power button for like 15 seconds until it completely shuts down. Then restart it.

That is basically the hard reset function.
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
You are def. being a bit over dramatic - worst case scenario would be sending the unit to Nintendo for them to fix/replace it for you.

Or at least contact the CS if GAF cant help you - maybe its a known issue.
 
Calling Nintendo is an option. Doubtful you'll be able to exchange at Walmart. It sounds like your dock is messed up so it's possible that Nintendo or even Walmart may be able to just replace the dock.

On the other hand, sending the whole unit in isn't a bad idea either.
 
I was lucky enough to get a Switch yesterday at Walmart. Including the one I bought, all 5 Switches at Walmart were bought up in 3 minutes.

I finally opened it up today cause I got some games for it and it doesn't fucking work in docked mode. It froze numerous times, the UI is completely unresponsive and the image quality looks dreadful. It's literally unplayable in docked mode.

In portable it works perfectly. There's no issues with slow down, it looks great, sounds great all that. The system is fully updated as well.

This is such bullshit. I finally get lucky enough to find one in the wild just for it not to work. I bought it to be a console not a handheld and now I'm out 300 fucking dollars for something broken out of the box.

Please someone tell me there's a fix to this and I'm just being over dramatic. I don't even know if you can return shit like this back to Walmart. And even if I can then I got to hope and pray that I see another Switch in the wild again.

You're not out anything. Call Nintendo or Walmart and relax.
 
I was lucky enough to get a Switch yesterday at Walmart. Including the one I bought, all 5 Switches at Walmart were bought up in 3 minutes.

I finally opened it up today cause I got some games for it and it doesn't fucking work in docked mode. It froze numerous times, the UI is completely unresponsive and the image quality looks dreadful. It's literally unplayable in docked mode.

In portable it works perfectly. There's no issues with slow down, it looks great, sounds great all that. The system is fully updated as well.

This is such bullshit. I finally get lucky enough to find one in the wild just for it not to work. I bought it to be a console not a handheld and now I'm out 300 fucking dollars for something broken out of the box.

Please someone tell me there's a fix to this and I'm just being over dramatic. I don't even know if you can return shit like this back to Walmart. And even if I can then I got to hope and pray that I see another Switch in the wild again.
You needed somebody to tell you you're being overly dramatic? Do you think every piece of consumer electronics shipped into the marketplace works perfectly?
 
Make sure you have a receipt, the original box and all its contents --then call Nintendo. Their CS agents are some of the coolest people I have ever talked to over the phone.

Don't be mean to them obviously, if you give them a chance they will be really happy to help you out.
 

RRockman

Banned
Its OK op you aren't out of the cool club yet. Nintendo will either fix it for you or get a replacement. not sure if walmart will do the same if you didn't get their protection plan however.
 

bman94

Member
Try holding down the power button for like 15 seconds until it completely shuts down. Then restart it.

That is basically the hard reset function.

Tried it, didn't work.

You needed somebody to tell you you're being overly dramatic? Do you think every piece of consumer electronics shipped into the marketplace works perfectly?

No, I was hoping it was a common problem and that there's a simple fix, this doesn't seem to be the case. And I've never had any issues with Nintendo products or consoles in general not working properly. Only console to break on me was the OG Xbox. Never spent a large amount of money on something just for it not to work.
 

Nheco

Member
don't worry, I'm pretty sure your switch will be aware that you are tarnishing it's good name on neogaf and will fix itself
 
Take that shit back to Wal-Mart if you're still within refund timeframe.

My PS4 Pro kept freezing so I took it back to target. I replaced it for another one in my case but a refund if they're out of stock shouldn't be a problem.
 
Is there some reason we get tons of these threads where people seem to be adverse to contacting customer service for issues that should obviously warrant contacting customer service?
 
Well OP not everything that you buy will work perfectly. Sometimes you'll get a defect. I recommend calling Nintendo and see what they can do. They'll help. Maybe Wal-Mart can help too.
 
As others have said, call Nintendo Customer Support. Your Switch is under their standard warranty, so they'll fix it for you. And since it's new out of the box, you won't even risk losing lots of progress on your games if they're unable to preserve your data.

Don't take it back to Walmart unless you just want a refund and no guarantee that you'll get a replacement.
 
I would just return it and wait for a restock. I don't think dealing with Nintendo's costumer service is worth the hassle, at least for me.
 

B-Dubs

No Scrubs
Tried it, didn't work.



No, I was hoping it was a common problem and that there's a simple fix, this doesn't seem to be the case. And I've never had any issues with Nintendo products or consoles in general not working properly. Only console to break on me was the OG Xbox. Never spent a large amount of money on something just for it not to work.

Did you try to set it up without the dock?

Either way, just call Nintendo dude. Their CS is always really good about this shit.
 

Kaban

Member
Had a similar problem with my Switch that I received last week. It's in for repair right now. Was it doing stuff like this?

They asked me to just send in the console and the joy-cons. I asked if they needed the dock (I thought that was the problem) but they said no.
 

Darklor01

Might need to stop sniffing glue
I'm sorry OP, that truly does suck and I hope you get it resolved by Nintendo or the by the store quickly.

Off Topic: I think Alanis Morissette wrote a song about things like this.
 
Wow OP, relax. You can return the item as defective for a free refund or send it to Nintendo for repair or replacement with a refurbished unit.

How have you gotten to this age without knowing how returns work?
 

bman94

Member
I'm on hold right now as CS files the repair claim. He said it will take 3-4 weeks, really hope that isn't the actual time frame. I was so excited to play the damn thing.
 
I'm on hold right now as CS files the repair claim. He said it will take 3-4 weeks, really hope that isn't the actual time frame. I was so excited to play the damn thing.

Damn. Sounds like you're better off returning to Walmart and buying again when it's back in stock.
 

IMACOMPUTA

Member
There's some weird shit with mine while in docked mode. I have to make sure to plug the power in before I plug the HDMI in or it won't charge while docked. I was playing Zelda docked and the battery died. Couldn't figure it out so I googled my problem and found other people with the same issue.
 
If you have an issue with your Switch console:

Send it to Nintendo. The phone call is kinda long, but that's about it.
You'll get a nice, clean console/joycon that works well in like, 2-3 days.
(I can't vouch for the Switch Pro controller, tho.)
 

Sober6809

Banned
Tried it, didn't work.



No, I was hoping it was a common problem and that there's a simple fix, this doesn't seem to be the case. And I've never had any issues with Nintendo products or consoles in general not working properly. Only console to break on me was the OG Xbox. Never spent a large amount of money on something just for it not to work.

It's not a common problem and that's a good thing.
 

shiyrley

Banned
OP is discovering that warranties exist.

Just send it in. Sucks to have to wait some days to get a proper unit but that's it
 

bman94

Member
Had a similar problem with my Switch that I received last week. It's in for repair right now. Was it doing stuff like this?

They asked me to just send in the console and the joy-cons. I asked if they needed the dock (I thought that was the problem) but they said no.

Yep, similar problems shown in the video and they told me the same thing, send the console and joy-cons only.

Wow OP, relax. You can return the item as defective for a free refund or send it to Nintendo for repair or replacement with a refurbished unit.

How have you gotten to this age without knowing how returns work?

Well for one I never had to return anything. Two, I never had a defective product.
 
I'm not saying this is ideal but just to see if it's the dock I believe they sell those in stores now right? I know local Best Buys have them. They're $90. So, you could buy one from there and see if it immediately solves the problem. If it doesn't, just take it back to Best Buy and you're out no cost. Proceed with the repair from Nintendo. Now if it does work, you have a couple of options.

Most honorable move:

- Keep this new dock and get the old one repaired. You'll have two docks.

Less-honorable-but-mostly-neutral move:

- Keep this new dock and get the old one repaired. Take the new or old dock back to Best Buy for a refund once it's repaired.

Kind-of-being-a-dick move:

- Keep this new dock and immediately take the broken one back.
 

shiyrley

Banned
I'm not saying this is ideal but just to see if it's the dock I believe they sell those in stores now right? I know local Best Buys have them. They're $90. So, you could buy one from there and see if it immediately solves the problem. If it doesn't, just take it back to Best Buy and you're out no cost. Proceed with the repair from Nintendo. Now if it does work, you have a couple of options.

Most honorable move:

- Keep this new dock and get the old one repaired. You'll have two docks.

Less-honorable-but-mostly-neutral move:

- Keep this new dock and get the old one repaired. Take the new or old dock back to Best Buy for a refund once it's repaired.

Kind-of-being-a-dick move:

- Keep this new dock and immediately take the broken one back.
But why would he do any of this?
Actual solution:
- Send both dock and console to Nintendo, Nintendo figures out which thing is broken, Nintendo fixes or replaces thing, working console at OP's home in a few days, the end
 
But why would he do any of this?
Actual solution:
- Send both dock and console to Nintendo, Nintendo figures out which thing is broken, Nintendo fixes or replaces thing, working console at OP's home in a few days, the end

I would anticipate a wait of at least a week, if not closer to 10 to 14 days. Not that big of a deal, mind you. The thing has been out for almost five months so you've waited this long. What's another couple of weeks? I'm just saying that you can get an immediate answer to the question of "is the dock broken" right now if you're not that patient.
 

wwm0nkey

Member
Threads like this are why I'm hesitant on picking up a Switch if I'm only getting it for Zelda and Mario.
Every piece of hardware has failure rates, if you bought a 360 at launch you already danced with fate on failure rates lol

Me and my friends had a Switch day one with no issues
 
But why would he do any of this?
Actual solution:
- Send both dock and console to Nintendo, Nintendo figures out which thing is broken, Nintendo fixes or replaces thing, working console at OP's home in a few days, the end

I wouldn't do that either. If it's a system that's broken out of the box, it goes back to the store. I'm not taking chances with a possibly refurbished unit.
 
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