This article explains how to reset a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite. If you have a Switch OLED, here are the instructions for resetting it.

What to Know

  • If your console won’t start up, hold the power button until the console resets, then release and press the power button again.To enter Maintenance Mode, turn off the console, hold down the volume up and volume down buttons, then press power.In Maintenance Mode, select Initialize Console or Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data to reset your Switch.

How to Perform a Hard Reset (Factory Reset) on a Nintendo Switch

If your console won’t start up or come out of sleep mode, perform a hard reset before anything else. If you’re selling it or giving it away, factory reset it first. Here’s how.

  • With the system powered down, hold the power button until the console resets. This step can take up to 15 seconds. Here’s how to turn off your Nintendo Switch.
  • Release the power button, then press it once to start the console like normal.
  • Your console should boot up without any issue.

How to Reset the Nintendo Switch’s Cache

Like any internet-connected device, the Nintendo Switch has a cache that stores your IDs, passwords, and browsing history. Sometimes, you might want to delete this information so that no one else can check it or simply due to security concerns. Here’s how:

With the system powered down, hold the power button until the console resets. This step can take up to 15 seconds. Here’s how to turn off your Nintendo Switch.

Release the power button, then press it once to start the console like normal.

Your console should boot up without any issue.

  • On the Nintendo Switch home screen, select Settings.
  • Scroll down and select System on the left menu.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen, and then select Formatting Options.
  • Select Reset Cache.
  • To delete the keyboard’s learned predictions, select Reset Keyboard.
  • A warning that you can’t restore the data will pop up. Select Reset.

How to Reset Your Nintendo Switch Without Losing Your Game Saves

Suppose you need to reset your Nintendo Switch more comprehensively than simply clearing the cache. In that case, delete everything from the console except for game save data, screenshots, videos, and user information.

On the Nintendo Switch home screen, select Settings.

Scroll down and select System on the left menu.

Scroll to the bottom of the screen, and then select Formatting Options.

Select Reset Cache.

To delete the keyboard’s learned predictions, select Reset Keyboard.

A warning that you can’t restore the data will pop up. Select Reset.

  • Turn off the console. Hold down the power button until you see Power Options, then select Turn Off.
  • Hold down the volume up and volume down buttons, then press the power button.
  • Continue holding the buttons until Maintenance Mode loads on the Nintendo Switch.
  • Choose Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data, then select OK.
  • Wait for the console to finish resetting, restoring it to factory settings.

How to Reset Your Nintendo Switch to Factory Settings Using Maintenance Mode

If you’re selling your Nintendo Switch, restore it to factory settings and delete your files so the new owner can’t access your data.

Use this option when your Nintendo Switch runs into issues, and you don’t want to lose everything while fixing it. Think of it like Safe Mode on a PC.

Turn off the console. Hold down the power button until you see Power Options, then select Turn Off.

Hold down the volume up and volume down buttons, then press the power button.

Continue holding the buttons until Maintenance Mode loads on the Nintendo Switch.

Choose Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data, then select OK.

Wait for the console to finish resetting, restoring it to factory settings.

  • Use the previous instructions to put the Switch into Maintenance Mode.
  • From there, select Initialize Console > Continue.
  • Wait for the console to finish erasing your data.

How to Factory Reset Nintendo Switch From the Settings Menu

Alternatively, you can perform a full reset from the console’s Settings menu. Here’s how.

This is a permanent fix. It erases all your data, including save files, game downloads, and your linked Nintendo account. Only perform this restore if you’re certain you don’t mind losing these files.

Use the previous instructions to put the Switch into Maintenance Mode.

From there, select Initialize Console > Continue.

Wait for the console to finish erasing your data.

  • On the Nintendo Switch home screen, select Settings.
  • Scroll down and select System on the left menu.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select Formatting Options.
  • Choose Initialize Console, and then select OK.
  • Wait for the console to finish erasing your data.
  • This process also unlinks your Nintendo account from the system.

Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select Formatting Options.

Choose Initialize Console, and then select OK.

This process also unlinks your Nintendo account from the system.

  • How do I reset my Switch if it’s frozen?
  • You can reset a frozen Switch with a hard reset. Press and hold the power button for about 15 seconds until the screen goes dark. The Switch should reboot in a few moments.
  • How do I reset my Switch controller?
  • Open System Settings from the Home menu and select Controllers and Sensors. Next, choose a controller from the list on the left side of the screen and select Reset, then confirm with Reset.
  • How do I reset my Switch Joy-Con?
  • First, make sure you detach the Joy-Con from the Switch console. Next, press the sync button, then press any button to turn the Joy-Con back on.

You can reset a frozen Switch with a hard reset. Press and hold the power button for about 15 seconds until the screen goes dark. The Switch should reboot in a few moments.

Open System Settings from the Home menu and select Controllers and Sensors. Next, choose a controller from the list on the left side of the screen and select Reset, then confirm with Reset.

First, make sure you detach the Joy-Con from the Switch console. Next, press the sync button, then press any button to turn the Joy-Con back on.

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