June 16, 2025, 12:34 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
The Switch 2 has had an excellent launch and seems to be winning over fans. However, user reports about issues with the console are piling up on social media. Currently, the new Ethernet port on the included dock is experiencing outages.
With more than 3.5 million units sold in just four days, the Switch 2 is Nintendo’s fastest-selling gaming system. It surpasses the PlayStation 5, which held the previous record with 3.4 million units in the first four weeks. Given the sheer number of new devices on the market, it’s no surprise that several users are reporting issues online. The Switch 2 dock is also affected.
Failures with the Ethernet Port in the Switch 2 Dock
Not only does the Switch 2 come with significantly stronger hardware than its predecessor–Nintendo has also greatly enhanced the included dock. Active cooling improves performance in docked mode, allowing the console to output up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second (fps). New to the dock is the Ethernet port, intended to provide a more stable internet connection during Smash tournaments. However, users are experiencing issues with it.
On Reddit and the Famiboards forum, Switch 2 owners report Ethernet failures in the dock. In some cases, setting up the LAN connection is impossible from the start, while in others, the problem arises after one or more days of use.
According to a Famiboards post, a support representative indicated that Nintendo is aware of the issue. The affected user was asked to send in the entire system, including the Switch 2 and Joycons. TECHBOOK has requested a statement from Nintendo regarding the incident but has not yet received a response.
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Unclear Whether It’s a Hardware or Software Issue
The fact that Nintendo support is requesting the system, including the dock and Switch 2, to be sent in suggests a hardware defect. Considering the more than 3.5 million devices already in circulation, this wouldn’t be unusual. A possible cause could be the Ethernet controller chips built into the dock. It’s possible that defective units are circulating and overheating–which, in the worst case, renders the port unusable. At least that’s what users on Reddit suspect, though there is no concrete evidence yet.
Others suspect a software issue. The Switch 2 is primarily designed for internet connectivity via Wi-Fi. During setup, the console searches for available Wi-Fi networks first, even in docked mode, and only then offers the option to use an Ethernet connection. However, this connection is interrupted after a certain period to save energy. In some cases, restoring the connection is only possible after restarting or even resetting the console.