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Nintendo Switch Black Screen of Death (PROVEN Fix!) in 2024

In this guide, I am going to show you some quick and proven ways to fix Nintendo switch black screen of death in 2024. These methods also apply if you have the Nintendo switch lite. 

Nintendo switch black screen

Whether your Nintendo switch turns on but shows a black with sound or it won’t even turn on at all, this guide has you covered.

First, we will take a quick look at some of the reasons why Nintendo switch black screen issue occurs. Then, I will show you how to fix it quickly.

Without any further ado, let’s dive right in!

Why Is My Nintendo Switch Black?

If your Nintendo switch (or Switch lite) has black screen with or without sound, it can be caused by corrupt cache files, software glitch, drained battery that won’t charge, faulty charger/AC adapter or charging dock, faulty backlight, damaged screen or other hardware damages.

Now, how do you fix Nintendo switch black screen issue?

Nintendo Switch Black Screen Fix

Below are some quick and proven ways to fix Nintendo Switch black screen of death issue in 2024:

1. Perform a Hard Reboot

One method that has proven very effective in fixing Nintendo switch black screen issue is a hard reboot. Here’s how to do that:

Press and hold the power button on the Nintendo switch for 15 seconds, then release it after. Now, tap the power button again to turn it back on and the black screen will be fixed immediately.

However, if your Nintendo switch (or switch lite) still shows a black screen after you power cycle it, the battery is probably drained. In that case, you need to charge it first before you power cycle it again.

The hard reboot is also effective in fixing the orange screen issue on Nintendo switches.


2. Charge Your Switch With a Different Charger

If you keep pressing the power button but your Nintendo switch still shows a black screen even after a power cycle as I have explained above, then you need to charge your Switch first as I will explain soon and power cycle it again after charging.

Just for clarity, you can also charge your Nintendo switch with the same charger you’ve always been using as long as it’s not faulty. However, if it’s faulty and no longer charges your Switch, then the battery will remain drained and this method won’t be effective.

Nintendo switch AC adapter

Since a faulty charger can be responsible for the Nintendo switch black screen issue, I normally recommend that you try a different USB Type-C charger (you can use your phone charger). However, whether you want to try the same charger or a different one is totally up to you.

You can use the same charger first, and if it doesn’t fix it after doing what I’m about to show you, then use a different charger. If you choose to use a different charger, make sure it has a specification similar to the official Nintendo AC adapter (100 – 240 V, 1 A).

That said, here’s what you need to do:

  • Detach the Joy-Con from the Nintendo switch
  • Plug in the charger/AC adapter into the wall outlet, and plug the USB-C end into the charging port at the bottom of the switch
  • Leave it plugged in for 5-10 minutes
  • After charging it for 5-10 minutes, perform the hard reboot sequence again. 
  • To do that, first press and hold the power button on the Nintendo switch for 15 seconds while still plugged in. Then, release the power button after 15 seconds
  • Next, tap the power button again and your Nintendo switch should turn on at this stage.
  • However, if it’s still showing a black screen after the second tap, press and hold the power button again on the third press and after a few seconds, your Nintendo switch should turn on.

Nintendo switch turned on and black screen of death fixed

Charging and power cycling your Switch will fix the Nintendo switch black screen issue most of the time.

However, if this didn’t work for you, check the following first:

  • Make sure you are using a really good charger to charge the switch (the official Nintendo Switch AC adapter or a good phone charger) . If you use a type-C phone charger, make sure it has specifications in the range of the official Nintendo AC adapter (100 – 240 V, 1 A). Otherwise, get another official Nintendo switch AC adapter charger and use it.
  • Make sure the wall outlet where the charger is plugged works and is turned on
  • Leave it to charge after plugging it for 5-15 minutes before trying the power button press sequence
  • Finally, make sure you follow the exact process of hard reset as I have explained earlier

If you finally fixed the issue and you discovered that your charger is faulty and no longer charges your switch, then the best option is to get a new Nintendo switch adapter or charging dock.


3. Update Software in Recovery Mode

If you have a Nintendo switch black screen with sound when you turn it on, then you can also fix it by simply updating the software in recovery mode.

This will remove any software bug that could cause the black screen issue to repeat itself.

That said, here’s how to perform a system update on your Nintendo switch or Switch lite:

  • If your Nintendo switch has black screen with sound, then you need to power it off first
  • Once turned off, press and hold the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons at the same time, then press the power button. 

Nintendo switch volume and power buttons

  • Continue holding the buttons until the switch boots up into maintenance mode. Select ‘System Update’

The system will first perform a check to determine if a new system update is available.

  • On the next page, click on ‘Update’

click on update button

  • You will seeing a prompt asking you to confirm it, click on ‘OK’

click on OK button

Once the system update is complete, any software issue should be fixed. Even more, corrupt cache files will be removed during the update.

Ironically, I’ve also seen a number of users who also said they saw the black screen issue after a software update. Irrespective, charging the switch and performing a hard reset as explained earlier will fix the black screen on Nintendo switch.

If your console won’t boot into recovery mode (still shows a black screen when you try to boot it into recovery mode), then you probably have a damaged screen or faulty backlight. I will show you how to check if the backlight is faulty soon. 


4. Initialize Switch Console in Recovery Mode

You can fix black screen on Nintendo switch by initializing the console in maintenance mode. This is different from a factory reset, and all your saved data will not be deleted.

First, you need to boot your console into maintenance mode. Here’s how to do that:

  • If you can hear sound on your switch despite having a black screen, then you need to power it off first.
  • Once powered off, press and hold the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons at the same time, then press the power button. 
  • Continue holding the buttons until the switch boots up into maintenance mode
  • Once in maintenance mode, select ‘Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data’

initialize console without deleting saved data

  • On the next page, click on ‘Next’

click on next

  • Finally, click on ‘Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data’ to confirm the process.

confirm Nintendo switch initialization

Once the process has been completed, reboot the switch and the black screen of death will be fixed.

Again, if your console won’t boot into recovery mode (still shows a black screen when you try to boot it into recovery mode), then you probably have a damaged screen or faulty backlight.


5. Perform A Hard Reset

Unlike the initialization where saved data was not deleted earlier, you are going to be doing a hard reset/factory reset this time around. That said, all your saved data/progress will be removed from your Nintendo switch (or switch lite).

Again, this will be done in maintenance mode, and you can boot your Nintendo switch into maintenance mode and then reset it to factory settings by following the steps below:

  • Turn off your Nintendo switch by pressing the power button (hold it for a few seconds if necessary)
  • Once powered off, press and hold the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons at the same time, then press the power button. 
  • Continue holding the buttons until the switch boots up into maintenance mode
  • Once in maintenance mode, select ‘Initialize Console’ and click on ‘Continue’

initialize console

Wait for the process to be completed, and make sure not to touch the power button during this process.


6. Check If Backlight Is Faulty

If you have Nintendo switch black screen that actually turns on (sound works) but the screen is black, then the backlight is probably faulty.

Here’s how to check if your backlight is faulty:

  • First, make sure your Nintendo switch is on. If you can hear sound, that’s better. If not, make sure to at least press the power button to turn it on and assume it is on (you can’t be sure in this case though)
  • Next, point a flashlight to the screen of your Nintendo switch
  • If the backlight is still functional, all you should see is the reflection of the flashlight on the screen.
  • However, if you can see dull images on the screen of the switch while pointing the flashlight, then the backlight is defective.

On the other hand, the whole screen might have been damaged from a drop or rage.


7. Contact Nintendo Support

At this point, your best option is to contact Nintendo to get your switch fixed or replaced. If you are still under warranty, there is no repair cost for this and you will get it fixed or replaced in within a couple of days depending on your location.

If you found this guide helpful, kindly drop a comment below. Also, let me know which of these methods fixed the Nintendo switch black screen issue for you.

9 thoughts on “Nintendo Switch Black Screen of Death (PROVEN Fix!) in 2024”

    • There are cases where the screen in black, but when you boot into recovery mode, it actually works. That’s usually if you are experiencing a software issue.

      Reply
  1. My Switch went black, didn’t charge and power button didnt work, so I found this article. Did a hard reset and it worked 😇.

    Reply
  2. My switch lite is still not turning on so can you call me or send me a video of what to do bc i do not know what to do and i really want to play fortnite with my friends so please help me

    Reply

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