How to do a hard reset on nintendo switch

There are several reasons you might want to get rid of a Nintendo Switch. You might be selling it because you've got a newer model (like the OLED-screen version); you might be regifting it to a friend or family member; or you might be trading it in or selling it. (If you're looking to sell a device for some extra money, there are many options, but Decluttr is a good place to start.)

Table of Contents Show

Before you reset...
How to reset your Switch
Why You May Need to Reset Your Nintendo Switch
1. How to Soft Reset Your Nintendo Switch
2. How to Factory Reset Your Nintendo Switch
3. How to Hard Reset Your Nintendo Switch
Keep Your Nintendo Switch Problem-Free
How do I force a factory reset on a Switch?
Does hard reset delete everything on Switch?
How do you hard reboot a Switch?
How do you reset a frozen Nintendo Switch?

But no matter the reason, you always want to make sure it's been factory reset and all your personal info has been wiped from it.

Factory-resetting your console has many benefits, but the primary one being that returning your device to its original default settings protects any sensitive personal information that could be left on the system. Even though many people don't store as much private information on their gaming consoles as on, say, a phone or computer, completing a factory reset is a good practice to safe-guard against potential privacy issues.

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Before you reset...

Nintendo offers a couple of tips and suggestions that you should keep in mind before you reset. First, the company advises that resetting your Nintendo Switch should take about five minutes for consoles that are running system OS version 10.0.0 or higher.

Additionally, the company outlines what data will be lost if you initialize (Nintendo's term for factory resetting) your Switch. This list is pretty straightforward, and includes save data, screenshots and user information that has been stored on the device.

To move your account and game saves to a new Switch, follow the detailed instructions here.

If you want to erase only specific pieces of data, you can use Nintendo's Data Management settings to pick and choose what gets deleted while not having to fully reset your device.

It is important to note that your Switch must be connected to the internet while you are factory-resetting or initializing your device, and that your Nintendo accounts will be unlinked during the reset process.

How to reset your Switch

Resetting your Switch is a fairly simple process. All you have to do is go to System Settings on the main menu, scroll down to System and select it. Once you are in System, scroll down to the bottom of the menu and select Formatting Options. It is important to note that, if you have Parental Controls active on your Switch, you will be prompted to enter your Parental Control PIN after selecting Formatting Options.

After you've entered Formatting Options, you need to select Initialize Console to factory-reset your Switch. Read through the information that is presented to you on the screen and click Next. Finally, select Initialize to complete the process of factory-resetting your Nintendo Switch.

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If your Nintendo Switch is giving you problems, then resetting it might be your best option. Read on to see which type of reset best suits you.

A picture of a Nintendo Switch with red Joy Cons

If you are experiencing issues with your Nintendo Switch, knowing how to reset your console could be the quickest and easiest way to fix any problem you may be experiencing.

There are three quick ways to reset your Nintendo Switch: a Soft Reset, a Factory Reset, or a Hard Reset. The kind of issue you are experiencing determines which reset you should try first.

If you want to learn how to carry out each type of reset and which is best for you, we can help.

Why You May Need to Reset Your Nintendo Switch

While resetting your Nintendo Switch is a great way to deal with software issues, you may want to double-check the most common problems on the Nintendo Switch to attempt to fix any issues before resetting your console.

If your issue persists, one of these three types of reset options could help you:

If your console is more or less functional and you are experiencing software issues such as your console being unable to read or load games, a Soft Reset would most likely be the best for you.
Alternatively, if a Soft Reset doesn't work, or if you are looking to re-sell your console, you will need to Factory Reset your console. This removes all data from your Switch, puts it in a re-sellable state, and resets any software.
Finally, if your console is facing an issue that impedes system navigation or if you want to keep save data, you can attempt a Hard Reset by placing your console in Recovery Mode.

With each type of reset outlined, let's take a look at how to carry out each one.

1. How to Soft Reset Your Nintendo Switch

To Soft Reset your Nintendo Switch console and attempt to fix light software issues, follow these steps:

Press and hold the Power button at the top of your Nintendo Switch Console for 10 to 15 seconds until your console powers off.
Once your console is entirely powered off, wait a moment and press the Power button again.
Your Nintendo Switch console will then power back on, and the reset is complete.

While soft resetting your Nintendo Switch may appear as a simple restart, holding the Power button down for 10 to 15 seconds signals for your console to clear any unnecessary data that could be causing software issues.

2. How to Factory Reset Your Nintendo Switch

If a Soft Reset didn't fix your issue, or if you are looking to sell your console or fully wipe its data, you may need to try a Factory Reset.

To Factory Reset your Nintendo Switch, follow these steps:

From the toolbar at the bottom of your Nintendo Switch's main menu, select System Settings.
From the displayed left-hand tabs, choose System.
Scroll to the bottom of the System options until you find Formatting Options and select it.

A photo of the System Settings of a Nintendo Switch with Formatting Options highlighted

Navigate down the displayed options and select Restore Factory Settings.

A photo of the Formatting Options for Nintendo Switch with Restore Factory Settings highlighted

The console will then prompt you that all data will be deleted if you continue. To continue, hit Next.

If done successfully, your console will then remove your accounts and start to wipe your console of all data.

3. How to Hard Reset Your Nintendo Switch

Finally, if you can't access your Nintendo Switch console or a functional fault prompts you to reset your console but want to keep save data, you can attempt a Hard Reset.

To Hard Reset your Nintendo Switch, follow these steps:

Ensure your console is turned off.
Hold the Volume Up + Volume Down and Power button all at the same time.
Your console should then boot up in Recovery Mode. From here, you can choose to Update System, Restore Factory Settings Without Deleting Save Data or Restore Factory Settings.
To Hard Reset your console, select Restore Factory Settings Without Deleting Save Data or Restore Factory Settings.

A photo of the recovery mode start up screen for Nintendo Switch with Restore Factory Settings highlighted

Your console will then reset and restart with all its settings restored to their factory defaults, except save data if you choose for it not to be deleted.

If your console issues persist despite a reset, ensuring your Nintendo Switch is updated is another great way of potentially fixing or preventing further problems.

Keep Your Nintendo Switch Problem-Free

Knowing how to perform multiple types of resets on your Nintendo Switch is an excellent way of troubleshooting issues and ensuring the health of your console.

Keeping up-to-date and knowing your way around your Nintendo Switch's system settings could further enable you to fine-tune your console for your needs and maintain its functionality.

Learning the various shortcuts for settings on your console could further add to your console's functionality while improving its overall ease of use.

How do I force a factory reset on a Switch?

Complete These Steps:.

Ensure the console is powered off. ... .

With the console powered off, press and hold down the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons, then press the POWER Button to turn the console on. ... .

Once in recovery mode, select “Restore Factory Settings Without Deleting Save Data"..

Does hard reset delete everything on Switch?

All data in the system memory, including software, save data, screenshots, and user information will be deleted, restoring the console to factory settings.

How do you hard reboot a Switch?

If holding the POWER Button for 3 seconds fails to bring up the Power Menu, you can press and hold the POWER Button for at least 12 seconds to force the console to shut down. *If you want to restart software, close the software and then open it again.

How do you reset a frozen Nintendo Switch?

Hold down the POWER Button for at least 20 seconds to force the console to power off, then remove any game cards or microSD cards. Power on the console and perform a system update. If the issue persists, power off the console again, then initialize the console without deleting save data.