How can I improve my Switch game performance?

Improving game performance on the Nintendo Switch can significantly enhance your gaming experience, whether you’re playing on the standard model, the Lite version, or the Switch OLED. Though the Switch isn’t as powerful as other current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, there are several ways to optimize your gameplay, improve performance, and get the most out of your device.

In this detailed guide, we will explore strategies that cover everything from system maintenance to accessories, internet optimization, and even third-party software to help you enhance your gaming experience on the Nintendo Switch.

1. Keep Your Nintendo Switch Updated

Keeping your system software and games up to date is essential for optimal performance on the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo releases regular system updates to address bugs, improve performance, and add new features. Similarly, game developers often release patches that enhance gameplay, fix glitches, and increase stability.

How to Update Your Nintendo Switch System

1. Go to System Settings from the home menu.
2. Scroll down and select System.
3. Select System Update to check for updates and install any that are available.

How to Update Your Games

To update your games manually:

1. Highlight the game on the home screen.
2. Press the + button on your controller to open the game menu.
3. Select Software Update and choose Via the Internet to check for and install any available updates.

Pro Tip: Turning on automatic updates ensures that your system and games are always up-to-date:

• Go to System Settings > System > Auto-Update Software and ensure it’s turned on.

2. Optimize Storage and Memory

Your Nintendo Switch’s storage plays a key role in performance, especially when it comes to load times and the smoothness of gameplay. Here’s how you can optimize your storage for better performance:

2.1. Use a High-Speed microSD Card

The Nintendo Switch comes with limited internal storage (32 GB or 64 GB on the OLED model), which can quickly fill up with games and save data. For better performance and storage capacity, invest in a high-quality microSD card. Look for microSD cards with fast read and write speeds, such as:

• SanDisk Extreme microSDXC or Samsung EVO Select microSDXC cards, which offer high transfer speeds (UHS-I, U3-rated cards are preferable for gaming).

A faster card reduces loading times when launching games or switching between different titles.

2.2. Manage Storage Efficiently

To ensure that your games run smoothly, it’s important to manage your storage by regularly cleaning up unnecessary files and deleting games you no longer play.

• Go to System Settings > Data Management > Quick Archive to archive games you don’t currently play but want to keep on the system for later access.
• Delete old screenshots and videos: Under Data Management, select Manage Screenshots and Videos to remove unneeded media and free up space.

3. Improve Battery Life for Handheld Gaming

If you’re playing in handheld mode, optimizing battery life can help maintain consistent game performance, especially for more demanding games. The Switch uses dynamic scaling, meaning the system adjusts the game’s resolution or performance depending on the battery life and system temperature. Poor battery management can lead to reduced performance and frequent frame rate drops.

3.1. Lower Screen Brightness

High screen brightness is one of the biggest contributors to battery drain. You can extend battery life and ensure smooth performance by lowering the brightness:

1. Hold down the Home button to access the quick settings menu.
2. Adjust the Brightness Slider to a lower setting.
3. Enable Auto-Brightness in System Settings for dynamic adjustment based on ambient light.

3.2. Enable Flight Mode

When gaming in handheld mode, enabling Airplane Mode can reduce background processes, save battery life, and improve performance by limiting distractions like Wi-Fi searches:

1. Go to System Settings > Airplane Mode and toggle it on (note: you’ll lose access to online features while in Airplane Mode).

3.3. Use an External Battery Pack

For longer play sessions in handheld mode, consider investing in a high-capacity battery pack compatible with the Nintendo Switch. Battery packs with fast charging (USB-C PD-enabled) ensure your system stays powered longer without losing performance.

4. Improve Network Performance for Online Games

If you often play online multiplayer games, a stable internet connection is crucial to maintaining good performance, avoiding lag, and reducing latency. Here’s how to optimize your Switch’s connection for online play:

4.1. Use a Wired Connection (Docked Mode)

While the Switch has built-in Wi-Fi, a wired Ethernet connection is generally faster and more stable, particularly for online games like Splatoon 3, Fortnite, or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. You can connect via Ethernet using an adapter:

1. Purchase a USB to Ethernet Adapter compatible with the Switch.
2. Plug the adapter into one of the USB ports on the Switch dock.
3. Connect an Ethernet cable from your router to the adapter.

This setup significantly reduces latency and improves overall online performance.

4.2. Optimize Wi-Fi Settings (Handheld Mode)

If you’re gaming in handheld mode, here are some ways to improve Wi-Fi performance:

• Move closer to the router: The closer your Switch is to your router, the stronger the signal.
• Switch to a 5 GHz network: If your router supports it, connect to the less congested 5 GHz band, which typically offers faster speeds and lower latency compared to 2.4 GHz.
• Minimize interference: Other wireless devices (e.g., microwaves, phones) can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. Try minimizing their use during gaming sessions.

4.3. Change DNS Settings

Changing the DNS settings on your Switch can help reduce latency and speed up online connections:

1. Go to System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings.
2. Select your network, then choose Change Settings.
3. Set DNS Settings to Manual and input faster DNS servers like:
   • Google DNS: Primary 8.8.8.8, Secondary 8.8.4.4.
   • Cloudflare DNS: Primary 1.1.1.1, Secondary 1.0.0.1.

5. Managing System Temperature and Ventilation

Overheating can significantly degrade performance, causing frame rate drops, screen dimming, or even system shutdowns to protect internal components. Keeping your Switch cool is essential for maintaining consistent performance.

5.1. Play in Well-Ventilated Areas

Make sure you’re gaming in an open, well-ventilated space, especially when playing in docked mode. The Switch’s fans and heat vents need space to properly expel hot air.

• Avoid placing the dock near heat sources like windows or radiators.
• Ensure nothing is blocking the Switch’s vents.

5.2. Use Cooling Accessories

If you frequently experience overheating, you might want to consider external cooling accessories:

• Cooling fans: These clip onto the Switch dock and provide additional airflow, helping to keep the system cool during intense gaming sessions.
• Heat sinks: These can be attached to the back of the Switch to help dissipate heat more effectively.

5.3. Take Breaks During Long Gaming Sessions

Continuous gaming for several hours can cause the Switch to overheat, particularly with demanding games. Taking regular breaks allows the system to cool down and perform optimally.

6. Enhance Controller Performance

Controller performance is key to seamless gameplay. Here are some ways to ensure your Joy-Cons or Pro Controller remain responsive and efficient:

6.1. Update Your Controllers

Nintendo periodically releases updates to improve the performance and stability of Joy-Con controllers. Keeping them updated can improve connectivity and responsiveness.

1. Go to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers.
2. Follow the prompts to update all paired controllers.

6.2. Fix Joy-Con Drift

Joy-Con drift is a common issue where the controller’s analog stick starts moving on its own, even without input. You can try recalibrating the stick:

1. Go to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Calibrate Control Sticks.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to recalibrate the analog stick.

If calibration doesn’t resolve the issue, cleaning the inside of the Joy-Con’s analog stick with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol might help. Alternatively, you may need to replace the analog stick, or send it to Nintendo for repair (they offer free repairs for Joy-Con drift in some regions).

6.3. Use a Pro Controller

While the Joy-Cons are convenient for handheld mode and multiplayer, many players prefer the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for its superior ergonomics, larger buttons, and improved analog sticks. This controller often provides better performance, particularly for competitive or action-heavy games.

7. Adjust In-Game Settings for Better Performance

Many Nintendo Switch games allow players to adjust various in-game settings to balance between visual quality and performance. Making these adjustments can result in smoother gameplay.

7.1. Lower Resolution or Graphics Settings

Some games on the Switch, especially third-party titles, allow you to lower the resolution or disable graphics-intensive features like anti-aliasing or shadows. Reducing these settings can lead to better frame rates and smoother gameplay.

For example, in games like DOOM or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, lowering resolution or disabling motion blur can improve performance without drastically impacting the visual experience.

7.2. Disable In-Game Notifications

Notifications such as friends coming online or achievement pop-ups can interrupt gameplay and even affect performance. Consider disabling them during critical gaming sessions:

• Go to System Settings > Notifications and turn off Friend Notifications or Other Notifications.

7.3. Monitor Frame Rates

Many players value a stable frame rate over resolution. Games like Fortnite and Rocket League offer settings to prioritize higher frame rates (e.g., targeting 60fps). If frame rate consistency is important to you, check the game’s settings menu to prioritize performance over graphical fidelity.

8. Prevent Overuse of System Resources

Background tasks and unnecessary system features can drain resources and negatively impact game performance. Minimizing these activities can free up system memory and processing power.

8.1. Close Background Applications

Sometimes, applications or games left running in the background can slow down the system. To ensure optimal performance, close background apps:

• Press the Home button, highlight the open game or app, press the X button, and select Close.

8.2. Disable Auto-Sync Features

If you don’t need automatic syncing for features like Cloud Saves or Nintendo Switch Online, consider disabling them to save system resources. You can turn off auto-sync for saves by going to System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud.

9. Game Boosting with Accessories and Software

Several accessories and third-party software solutions can boost your gaming performance on the Nintendo Switch.

9.1. Use a Game Grip for Handheld Mode

For longer handheld play sessions, a game grip accessory can make your Switch more comfortable to hold, reducing strain on your hands and allowing you to play more precisely. Grips like the Satisfye ZenGrip Pro improve ergonomics and add extra comfort.

9.2. Use Performance-Enhancing Software

While Nintendo itself doesn’t support many third-party performance apps, you can explore system monitors or cleaning apps designed to optimize gaming systems. Be cautious about modifying your system firmware, as it can lead to voided warranties or even bans from Nintendo's online services.

10. Troubleshoot Performance Issues

If you’ve tried the strategies above and are still facing performance issues, consider troubleshooting deeper problems:

10.1. Perform a Factory Reset

A factory reset can solve persistent performance issues by wiping the system and starting fresh. This should be a last resort, as it will erase all data:

• Go to System Settings > System > Formatting Options > Initialize Console.

10.2. Contact Nintendo Support

If your performance issues persist even after a reset, it’s worth contacting Nintendo support to investigate hardware issues.

Conclusion

Improving game performance on your Nintendo Switch involves a combination of good system maintenance, storage management, network optimization, and choosing the right accessories. By keeping your system updated, using a high-speed microSD card, and optimizing your internet connection, you can enjoy smoother, more responsive gameplay. Following the strategies outlined in this guide will help ensure that you get the most out of your Nintendo Switch, enhancing both performance and your overall gaming experience.