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Third-Party Switch Docks May Be Bricking Systems After Latest Firmware Update

Nintendo Switch players would be wise to keep with Nintendo's own Switch dock for the time being.

Kevin Tucker

March 16, 2018 12:00 PM

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Nintendo hardware typically agrees with accessories built by other manufacturers, but it looks like the recent release of Nintendo Switch firmware version 5.0.0 may not be playing so friendly with third-party Switch docks. Reports are appearing online stating that users with off-brand Switch docks are seeing their systems becoming completely unresponsive following the firmware update, with docks manufactured by Nyko drawing the most concern.

One of the first reports of a system bricked following the update came from YouTube user Spawn Wave, who posted a video explaining how his Nyko dock seems to have caused a fault in the console following the installation of the latest firmware.

Nintendo Life reports that a user named invictus4000 experienced a similar issue with a Nyko dock. Though their system wasn't bricked, the Nyko dock reportedly caused the system to stop recognizing when it was docked, even when using the official Nintendo dock. This seems similar to reports from other players over the past few months who saw their charging ports die after plugging their Switch systems into Nyko docks.

As for what seems to be causing incompatibility issues, a report from Nintendo Enthusiast states that the latest Switch firmware includes "massive changes to the system's coding" that are able to disrupt the way that the Switch communicates with third-party docks. In what's painted as an effort to keep hackers and modders from messing with the Switch's software, Nintendo may have updated code that was used in some part of the docking process.

It's probably best to stay with Nintendo's own Switch dock for now.

It's so far unknown if Nintendo or third-party accessory manufacturers will address the issue. Spawn Wave has stated that Nyko contacted him with an offer to replace the Switch and attempt to pull any data that may still remain in the old system, which could be seen as acknowledgment of the problem; that said, Spawn Wave had repeatedly opened and tooled around with his NIntendo Switch, so it's hard to say if his bricked system can really be blamed on the dock or the firmware. Until the issue is resolved one way or the other, users should probably stick with their original Nintendo-branded Switch dock.

Kevin Tucker

Guides Editor

Kevin Tucker is a core component of Shacknews' powerful guide development team. For questions, concerns, tips, or to share constructive criticism, he can be reached on Twitter @dukeofgnar or through e-mail at kevin.tucker@shacknews.com.