The Nintendo Switch is a fairly durable gaming console, but for those rare occasions when you have to face a problem (or you’re going to sell it), it’s useful to know how to reset the Nintendo Switch. Here’s how to restore various parts of the console, as well as how to perform a factory reset of Nintendo Switch, completely erasing its contents.
Why is it necessary to restore the Nintendo Switch?
It’s a question worth thinking about- why is it necessary to reset the Switch? Is there a specific problem? Are you deleting the content so you can sell it? Each of our solutions solves a different problem.
Do nothing until you know precisely what you want to do. These solutions can be permanent.
How to perform a hard reset on Nintendo Switch
If your console does not start or goes out of sleep mode, try performing a hard reset before anything else.
- With the system turned off, hold the Power button for 15 seconds.
- Release the power button, then press the power button once as usual to start the console.
Your console should restart without any problems. Congratulations!
How to reset the Nintendo Switch cache
Like any device connected to the Internet, Nintendo Switch has a cache that stores all your IDs, passwords, and browsing history. Sometimes, you may want to delete all this history so that no one else can check it or solely for security reasons.
- On the Nintendo Switch home screen, select Settings.
- Scroll down and select System in the left menu.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select Formatting Options.
- Select Clear cache. From here, you can also delete the keyboard predictions and select Reset Keyboard instead.
- Select Reset.
Congratulations. You have successfully deleted your Nintendo Switch’s cache!
How to reset your Nintendo Switch without losing your game saves
When you have to reset your Nintendo Switch more completely, and you don’t have to empty the cache only, there is the possibility to delete everything from the console except the game save data, screenshots, videos, and user information.
This is the best option when your Nintendo Switch has problems, but you don’t want to lose everything while trying to solve the problem. Think of it as a safe mode on a PC.
- Turn off the console.
- Press and hold the volume up and volume down buttons, then press the Power button.
- Continue to hold them down until the recovery mode is loaded on your Nintendo Switch.
- Select Restore factory settings without deleting Save data > Next.
- Wait for the console to finish restoring the console, restoring it to factory settings.
Congratulations. You have successfully restored the Nintendo Switch without losing your rescue data.
How to reset your Nintendo – Switch to the new recovery mode
If you sell your Nintendo Switch, it is reasonable to restore it to factory settings and delete all your files so that the new owner cannot access them.
This is a permanent solution. Delete all your data, including all your save files, game downloads, and linked Nintendo accounts. Perform this reset only if you are absolutely certain.
- From the recovery mode, select Restore factory settings > Continue.
- Wait for the console to finish deleting all your data.
Congratulations. You have successfully deleted all your data through the recovery mode.
HOW TO RESTORE THE NINTENDO SWITCH FACTORY SETTINGS FROM THE SETTINGS
Alternatively, you can perform a full restore from the Settings menu of the console.
- On the Nintendo Switch home screen, select Settings.
- Scroll down and select System in the left menu.
- Scroll down to the end of the screen and select Formatting Options.
- Select Restore Factory Settings > Next.
- Wait for the console to finish deleting all your data. This process also disconnects your Nintendo account from the system.
Congratulations. Your system is now ready to be sold safely to someone else.
