How to Fix Switch 2 Screen Too Dark in Handheld Mode

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The Switch OLED model may impress with deeper blacks, but when it comes to overall brightness, the screen on the New Nintendo Switch is more luminous, boasting a 450-nit display that outperforms its predecessor by approximately 100 nits. However, you might not notice this improvement initially because of one of the console’s built-in settings.

As a Switch 2 gamer, I’ve noticed quite a few of us are grumbling online about the dimness of the screen during handheld play, and honestly, it’s a valid concern. Luckily, there’s an easy fix for this issue hidden in the console’s Settings menu, but remember, nothing good comes without a price.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Navigate to the ‘System Settings’ on your Switch 2 home screen.
2. Select ‘Display Settings’.
3. Look for ‘Brightness’, and slide it all the way up to increase the screen brightness.
4. Now, here comes the catch – increasing the brightness will drain your battery faster, so be prepared to charge more often or keep an extra charger handy.

Happy gaming!

How to Improve Switch 2 Image Quality in Handheld Mode

To enhance the clarity of images on the Switch 2 while playing in handheld mode, players just need to turn off the Auto-Brightness feature. You can locate this option under the Brightness settings within the System Settings menu, but remember, it’s accessible only when the Switch 2 is being used as a handheld device. By disabling Auto-Brightness, players will have the freedom to adjust the brightness level themselves using the Brightness slider, which can significantly boost the overall picture quality.

In handheld mode, you can stop the device from adjusting brightness automatically by holding down the home button for a few seconds, followed by turning off the automatic brightness setting.

Why Is The Switch 2’s Screen So Dark in Handheld Mode?

On numerous portable electronic devices, an automatic brightness function is typically included. This feature adjusts the screen’s luminosity automatically based on the user’s environment. For instance, if you’re outdoors, it will increase the brightness to prevent the screen from being overshadowed by daylight. In contrast, it will lower the brightness in dimly lit areas. However, when initially released, the automatic brightness setting on Switch 2 was reportedly a bit too dim for many users, causing numerous complaints about the screen’s illumination online.

It’s unclear if Nintendo will adjust the settings in the future, but some speculate that this might be a deliberate choice by the company. The increased brightness in handheld mode significantly reduces battery life, which is an issue considering the Switch 2’s already limited battery span (2-6.5 hours). This is much shorter than its predecessor’s battery life (4.5 – 9 hours), so it appears that Nintendo may have opted to compromise on brightness and image quality to facilitate extended handheld gaming sessions on the Switch 2.

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2025-06-07 08:53