Some Switch Owners Are Having Problems Since the Latest Console Update

Some Switch Owners Are Having Problems Since the Latest Console Update

Key Takeaways

  • Some Nintendo Switch owners are experiencing battery life issues following the 19.0.0 system update.
  • Their complaints suggest that the latest firmware prevents the console from going to sleep properly, causing battery drain.
  • Some users claim this has been an issue even before the Switch 19.0.0 patch rolled out in early October 2024.

As a seasoned Nintendo Switch gamer with countless hours logged into Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment upon hearing about the battery life issues that some fellow Switch owners are experiencing following the 19.0.0 system update.


It appears that some users of the Nintendo Switch have encountered battery drain problems after the recent console software upgrade. Preliminary findings indicate that the updated firmware could potentially prevent the device from entering a proper sleep mode.

In simple terms, the new update for the Nintendo Switch started becoming available in early October 2024. This update increased the firmware version from 18.1.0 to 19.0.0. As of now, Nintendo hasn’t shared a list detailing all the changes that come with this update (version 19.0.0).

During this period, some users have been sharing experiences that suggest the update has decreased their Nintendo Switch’s battery life. A surge of these issues has appeared in a Reddit thread initiated by user Yukar1n, who pointed out that their console stays warm while in sleep mode after the 19.0.0 patch. This suggests the device might still be active even when the screen is off, implying it may not be going into power-saving mode correctly. By October 20th, numerous other Nintendo Switch users have reported experiencing the same problem as Yukar1n.

Some Switch Owners Have Been Avoiding Sleep Mode After 19.0.0 Update

As a gamer, I initially thought my Nintendo Switch was playing tricks on me after the recent update. The battery life had suddenly plummeted, with the console dying even when it wasn’t in use for days. This puzzling situation led me to start manually shutting down my Switch after each update session, suspecting that its battery might be faulty. It turns out, many other gamers are doing the same thing due to the update. However, this workaround only applies if the console is unplugged or charging with a cable. Interestingly, even when turned off, a docked Switch will still enter sleep mode automatically.

Nintendo Switch Sleep Issues Might Have Started Before Update 19.0.0

Some Switch owners responding to Yukar1n’s complaint have mentioned experiencing console warmth even before the October 2024 update, with one user noting this issue started when firmware version 14.0.0 was released in early 2022. This could imply that problems arose prior to the 19.0.0 update, but it’s also possible that their individual cases stem from distinct causes.

As of now, Nintendo hasn’t publicly admitted to any issues with the most recent update of their console software. It’s been two weeks since the update was released, but there’s still no sign of the promised patch notes. This could suggest that an official changelog might not be forthcoming because the update may not—or shouldn’t—bring any noticeable changes for users. The last time Nintendo released Switch patch notes was in June 2024, when they stopped support for sharing screenshots and gameplay footage via Twitter, which is now known as X.

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2024-10-20 17:54