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[Joseph Flemming]

is that an actual crack, like all the way through the plastic or a cosmetic crack/scratch from the molding process?

it's not that uncommon to find what appears to be cracks in molded plastic and they're not an actual structure defect. Usually the cracks don't go all the way through the plastic and just a minor surface blemish.

Cracks. After further looking through threads with similar complaints and talking to the Nintendo customer service rep, they start as very thin stress lines that look like a scratch and then progress to actually expand and crack. Since I found mine after further inspection with a magnifying glass, a micro piece has already fell off. The surrounding area is also destressed and I know it'll just get worse slowly over time.

Also everyone's pictures all look the same. Theirs a couple theories, but the best I've heard and the general consensus seems to point to a over tightening of the screw on the back panel. The Nintendo rep unofficially admitted it to me. In fact as soon as I stated what the issue was he completed my sentence.

 

[Lil Marco]

launch console = hardware beta test

 

[big_z]

Will they swap the shell or send a refurb unit?

because of stock they might actually do the repair but typically Nintendo usually transfers data to a refurb unit and ships it back.

I know it reduces turn around time but I hate they do it this way. For instance you could send a special edition or ips screen 3ds in and get back a regular edition 3ds or one with a tn panel.

 

[Opa-Pa]

Could you guys who have this problem specify for how long you've had your Switch and whether you use it mostly in docked mode? I bought mine recently and I'm already paranoid enough about previously known issues so this is making me worry even more.

I bought mine mostly to play it portably, and noticed it can get pretty hot while docked so I'm avoiding it unless it's for ARMS.

Nintendo doesn't even have an official presence in my country so sending it to repairs if anything happens is out of the question too... Gotta be extra careful.

 

[You Pay This Much]

You think heat caused it?

Mine fucking bakes playing MarioKart docked.

I never consider this as a possibility but that makes a lot of sense. Contracting and expanding over and over again.

I feel like there is more in play, but still could easily play a role.


As a semi off topic note, while it's a complete hassle, I would suggest getting a male USB C to a female USB C cable and connecting the switch to the dock without actually placing it in the dock. Since my dock is bent and I didn't want to have to send it in I just took this route, and as a by-product my switch never really gets that hot, even with hours and hours of BotW and MK8D. You either need a stand that allows access to the charging port, or if you just have something to put it on that's bowed so it doesn't block the intake vents.

Edit: the only place that gets pretty warm is near the intake vents for me this way.

The dock has always made me think of a mini oven for the switch.

 

[Joseph Flemming]

Could you guys who have this problem specify for how long you've had your Switch and whether you use it mostly in docked mode? I bought mine recently and I'm already paranoid enough about previously known issues so this is making me worry even more.

I bought mine mostly to play it portably, and noticed it can get pretty hot while docked so I'm avoiding it unless it's for ARMS.

Nintendo doesn't even have an official presence in my country so sending it to repairs if anything happens is out of the question too... Gotta be extra careful.

I've had my Switch since launch. I am always careful with my electronics, but with the Switch it was initially paralyzing. Reading threads here I feared taking my Switch out of the dock and into the wild until I had the proper gear. Got the amFilm screen protector, a nice case that was structured yet stylish and then a sling bag to put it all in.

I had just gotten to the point of feeling free taking it out everyday, playing Mario Kart tournaments at work with co-workers and my student workers (I work at a University, believe me when I say the students there all know and want a Switch).

Then I read this thread. Then I found my crack. ¯_(&#12484_/¯
Funny thing, when my unit gets back I don't plan to be so cautious. I didn't have all of the other issues that plagued others and if I didn't even notice the crack until this thread, I'm sure I can live with nominal scuffs/ wear and tear.

 

[NoHeDidn't]

They'll replace it then what...it happens again? They haven't even acknowledged the many issues much less mentioned a revised unit.

Its almost as if they rushed it then tied Zelda and Switch together to use nostalgia like Activision with CoD AW and CoD IW.

 

[The Boat]

You think heat caused it?

Mine fucking bakes playing MarioKart docked.

That's not normal.

 

[mindsale]

That's not normal.

One hour of docked play gets friends' Switches similarly hot, I don't think it's that abnormal.

 

[Serious Sam]

Switch is the most problem-prone console I ever had.

My first unit didn't read game cards at all. Luckily I bought two physical games, overwise I wouldn't have figured this out for a long time, maybe even after warranty period has ended because I planned to go mostly digital.

My second unit seemed perfect at first, but later on top-right corner of the screen started popping out. I'm assuming heat is causing capacitive touchscreen adhesive to lose its properties. https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSw...dering_if_its_screen/?st=j4gxnc87&sh=8df135c7 (not my pics)

I'm still not sure what to do about my second unit, for now I'll keep using it because it's a minor annoyance and I don't want to go through replacement/RMA hell due to low Switch stock and potential to lose all game saves.

 

[Spukc]

Yeah revisions never have flaws.

Yeah

 

[Spiritwalker]

Switch heat issues seem to be pretty common so I wouldn't be surprised if that's causing this. Mine used to get pretty damn warm during gameplay.

 

[Piscus]

I swear, people have the worst luck with these things. I have a day 1 launch system and have had 0 problems. No cracks, no scratching, never had a left joycon issue, no bending, and my pro controller dpad works flawlessly. All this, and between myself and my 2 kids, it's been played damn near every day since launch.

Guess I'm just lucky?

I'm in the same boat. Sucks that these things happen, but I feel like there's a chunk of gaf that swoops in on these rare instances to overreact...

 

[KORNdoggy]

this reminds me of their shitty hinges they use for the DS/DSi etc. they love that brittle plastic. lol

 

[Hoo-doo]

I think the heat is causing the plastic to deteriorate, and it becomes brittle.

This is quite common in plastic household products, but clearly this plastic exterior is not built up to spec if it's cracking a few months in.

 

[NinjaBoiX]

A revision will have more flaws than a product that has already been improved during time.

I've read this three times and it makes no sense. Any of it.

How would a revision have more flaws?

How exactly does a product "been improved during time" without a revision?

 

[KORNdoggy]

I've read this three times and it makes no sense. Any of it.

How would a revision have more flaws?

How exactly does a product "been improved during time" without a revision?

he's implying a product, being the same model, can have elements fixed as time moves on in regards to manufacture and materials (see the rubber grips on PS4 controllers) whereas a completely new product revision will undoubtedly introduce more issues since more of it is new. i mean, by all accounts the DSi shouldn't have had a hinge that broke...but it did. it was redesigned to be "better" but it still failed just as much as the shitty hinge on the original DS.

 

[NinjaBoiX]

Ah, ok, incremental updates as opposed to a full hardware revision.

Still not sure I agree with the point but whatever.

 

[Crazyorloco]

I do think the cracks are from heat expanding the back plate of the system. I did feel my system get hot from Mario Kart. I wonder if during repair Nintendo puts anything into the system to prevent it from cracking again. Or perhaps the new back plates are different? I have had my system for about 2 weeks, no cracks so far. I remember my system would heat up sometimes on sleep mode in my bag, so I have been taking extra precaution to prevent it from heating up too much (turning the system completely off) when I put it in my travel bag. The boot up time is pretty quick anyway.

I can confirm all my saves (BoTW! lol) were intact when I received the system again from Nintendo. My system didn't just have the crack - it also was not able to turn on for more than 2 seconds. So somehow the saves are safe.

 

[AEREC]

Could you guys who have this problem specify for how long you've had your Switch and whether you use it mostly in docked mode? I bought mine recently and I'm already paranoid enough about previously known issues so this is making me worry even more.

I bought mine mostly to play it portably, and noticed it can get pretty hot while docked so I'm avoiding it unless it's for ARMS.

Nintendo doesn't even have an official presence in my country so sending it to repairs if anything happens is out of the question too... Gotta be extra careful.

I've had my switch since a week after launch. I use mine 70% handheld and 30% docked.

If it does happen to you then you can just do the repair yourself after purchasing a new back plate (roughly $15 im guessing).

 

[Big Green Anus]

How common is this problem? I'm hoping for a slight revision by the holidays.

 

[PyroPaperPlanes]

Holy smokes, I would have shook OP off, except a tiny chip broke off on the exact same spot on my Switch with no provocation this past week.

 

[AEREC]

How common is this problem? I'm hoping for a slight revision by the holidays.

Based on this thread, some reddit threads and a google search it seems increasingly common.

 

[SimpleCRIPPLE]

So far mine is OK, but i check every week or two after seeing these reports start to pop up.

 

[xmajinjoshx]

Decided I'm going to send mine in before it gets worse. Now that I know it's there, it's going to bother me. I just hope my saves will stay in tact. Anyone who's sent it in, did you send it with the joycons?

 

[zarnold56]

Don't know where else to post this but I got a switch on Sunday and having issues with it. When I set it in the dock for a while I always gets an orange screen. I have to hold the power button down for 30 seconds to reboot the switch to take it out of it. I have tired to drain the battery and charge the battery back to full, but it happened after that. That was the only thing I found for a solution when I googled it.

Should I just take it back to best buy and swap it during the 15 day return policy or call Nintendo? Super annoying to have this happen.

 

[AEREC]

Decided I'm going to send mine in before it gets worse. Now that I know it's there, it's going to bother me. I just hope my saves will stay in tact. Anyone who's sent it in, did you send it with the joycons?

Dont send in the joycons, unless you are getting those fixed too.

 

[AEREC]

Don't know where else to post this but I got a switch on Sunday and having issues with it. When I set it in the dock for a while I always gets an orange screen. I have to hold the power button down for 30 seconds to reboot the switch to take it out of it. I have tired to drain the battery and charge the battery back to full, but it happened after that. That was the only thing I found for a solution when I googled it.

Should I just take it back to best buy and swap it during the 15 day return policy or call Nintendo? Super annoying to have this happen.

Definitely take it back to best buy if they have stock and can swap it out.

 

[xmajinjoshx]

Dont send in the joycons, unless you are getting those fixed too.

Thanks for the heads up. Just gotta get packing material now.

 

[shandy706]

People that jump to call out people for pointing out a problem with hardware crack me up.

Saw it in the first few pages of Red Ring of Death and DS4 build quality threads too. 😂

 

[mlclmtckr]

How common is this problem? I'm hoping for a slight revision by the holidays.

I play my switch almost every day, just checked, no cracks.

Remember that any complaint like this will seem proportionally much more common when looking at people talking about it on the internet.

 

[lucius]

I wonder if placing a piece of some kind of tape on that small area might help prevent it from starting to crack. Sure you can send it in after stuff like this happens, but when I was without my 360 more than 2 weeks after owning it about a year that was not fun, all they gave me was a month of Live which meant nothing at the time since they weren't giving free 360 games monthly back then.

 

[LinkAndEpona]

How do you know a revision is coming? How often has Nintendo refreshed console hardware?

I'd say it's incredibly likely due to how successful the Switch is.

In the past years, the Wii U was their only home console to not get one, for obvious reasons.

 

[Sodding_Gamer]

This has happened to my mate who hasn't dropped it at all. Literally just a chip just flew off.

I reckon there is a fair old heat buildup in that area and it's expanding the metal screw ever so slightly, making the plastic crack under pressure.

Also to note he uses his switch in docked mode A LOT. And plays for fairly long period of times. Whereas I play undocked and in short bursts.

I know this probably isn't widespread but just something to keep an eye out for other people who game in docked mode for long periods of time.

 

[CambriaRising]

The build quality of these things seems..not great so far.

 

[vgamer1]

Yep. Exact same issue here, launch Switch.

 

[AEREC]

Thanks for the heads up. Just gotta get packing material now.

They should have sent you an email that tells you exactly what to send in also.

I play my switch almost every day, just checked, no cracks.

Remember that any complaint like this will seem proportionally much more common when looking at people talking about it on the internet.

And there's always people who dont post on the internet and have the issue, or dont even notice the tiny cracks forming. No way to know at this point really but based on several threads it seems to be a rapidly growing problem.

I wonder if placing a piece of some kind of tape on that small area might help prevent it from starting to crack. Sure you can send it in after stuff like this happens, but when I was without my 360 more than 2 weeks after owning it about a year that was not fun, all they gave me was a month of Live which meant nothing at the time since they weren't giving free 360 games monthly back then.

Thats what I did, it wont ultimately stop the crack from spreading but it may slow it down and at least not let any chunks fall off. Ill buy a new backing and replace it once they are more readily available.

 

[aesupreme1]

Just checked my Switch after reading this thread...no crack. I've had mine since launch day, and haven't had a single issue with it as of yet.

 

[xmajinjoshx]

They should have sent you an email that tells you exactly what to send in also.

Got the email, but nowhere did it say what to send in. Do appreciate the response though!

 

[Kamina]

Got the email, but nowhere did it say what to send in. Do appreciate the response though!

Chat us support and ask them. Better save than sorry.

 

[Mzo]

Oh ok, sorry. I really don't remember hardware refreshes for Nintendo consoles other than the Wii and the recent Nes Mini.

The original NES was revised to the top loader. The SNES was revised to a smaller unit without native RGB. The N64 revision looks the same but the insides were changed; later systems can't be modded for RGB. Pretty sure there was a GC revision that removed the media port, too. Wii had the new hardware without the GC stuff or online capability. The Wii U failed 2 fast 2 furious.

 

[Yousefb]

My Switch isn't cracked by the power button but it is definitely a little open at the seams around the volume controls. I have no idea if this was always there or something that happened while playing in docked mode. It hasn't changed much since I noticed it about a month ago (had a switch since launch), But it really bothers me

I try to just tell myself it's not getting any worse so just don't think about it lol. I'll post a pic when i get a chance.

Anyone else have a similar issue?

 

[Sesuadra]

I wonder if placing a piece of some kind of tape on that small area might help prevent it from starting to crack. Sure you can send it in after stuff like this happens, but when I was without my 360 more than 2 weeks after owning it about a year that was not fun, all they gave me was a month of Live which meant nothing at the time since they weren't giving free 360 games monthly back then.

I just loosened the screw a half turn, I did not have any problems, but eh.

 

[nampad]

Wow, another issue to add on the list. Switch launch hardware seems to be shoddy.

 

[Tyraniboah]

I've got a crack in the exact same spot as everyone else. Going to contact Nintendo support today. Has Nintendo been any good about replacing/fixing units with the crack? I live in the states.

 

[xmajinjoshx]

I've got a crack in the exact same spot as everyone else. Going to contact Nintendo support today. Has Nintendo been any good about replacing/fixing units with the crack? I live in the states.

Mine is currently being repaired. Hoping I'll get it back next week in time for the Splatfest. Will be posting the results of the repair once I get it back.

 

[xmajinjoshx]

Took about a week, but I finally got my Switch back. The saves and screen protector remained remained in tact. I really wished I could have gotten this spec of dust, behind my screen, taken care of as well though. Had it since launch, and before I put the screen protector on. You can see it when the screen is off, so it's not a dead pixel. I even told Nintendo about it when setting up the work order for the crack. Just a minor annoyance, but I will live. I'm just glad to have my system back repaired. I am noticing the kickstand seems more stable with this new back panel, which is sweet. Sorry for rambling, but anyone with the crack issue should be able to send their systems in worry free.

 

[xmajinjoshx]

Jesus... Not even two months later, and it's cracking again... 😐😑

 

[PantsuJo]

Jesus... Not even two months later, and it's cracking again... 😐😑

Wat

Again? Bad luck... Maybe? :/

 

[DeuceGamer]

Jesus... Not even two months later, and it's cracking again... 😐😑

It may have already been asked, but do you hold the Switch with one hand? Maybe it's putting too much stress on it if so. I stopped holding mine with one hand because the length of the device made it feel like there was extra pressure on the device when holding it that way.

Before I get attacked, I'm not saying that it should, just trying to understand what may be causing to so others can avoid.