Nintendo Switch 2 Owners have reported that some third-party accessories and console docks seem to be bricked after the 21.0.0 system update. The Switch 2 update was released on November 10th and brings significant stability improvements and tweaks to existing features like Text-to-Speech and software downloads.
The Switch 2 was a huge success for Nintendo and was adopted by many gamers around the world. However, some point out that the overall cost is a drawback. For example, the console itself costs $449.99, and some games cost as much as $80. This has led some people to look for cheaper options for Switch 2 accessories like docks. Off-brand docks that are compatible with the Switch 2 can often be found for under $40, while an official Switch 2 dock set costs $125.
Recent Nintendo Switch 2 update reportedly bricked third-party docks
The Nintendo Switch 2's latest 21.0.0 update didn't mention anything about the dock, but it appears that something related to it has impacted third-party devices. Switch 2 users took to social media shortly after the update was released, with many reporting that third-party docks and other accessories were no longer working properly. Subsequent reports have shown that some third-party Switch 2 docks still work, but not all, and those that work sometimes require a full restart of the console before they can function properly.
At this point, it's unclear if this aspect of the update is an intentional move on Nintendo's part, and the company provided no further information at the time of publishing. However, the notion that third-party accessories would not be compatible with the Switch 2 raised concerns shortly after the system launched. Initially, third-party accessory manufacturers claimed that the Switch 2 USB-C port uses encryption and a chip that limits which accessories can work on the system. There have been theories that third-party Switch 2 accessories that once worked could also potentially brick, as firmware updates could potentially change how these systems work.
The manufacturers of these devices may fix the issue, or Nintendo may issue another patch that fixes the issue. This may have been a completely unintentional action on the part of the company. So far, Nintendo has not taken legal action against any Switch 2 accessory manufacturer other than Genki. However, Genki's lawsuit was due to allegations of trademark infringement, not simply manufacturing off-brand compatible accessories. On the other hand, fixing the Switch 2 consoles all at once to make them no longer compatible would be an easier and cheaper way for Nintendo to avoid competing with third-party manufacturers than filing a lawsuit.
- brand
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nintendo
- original release date
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June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$449.99
- operating system
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ownership
- solve
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1080p (portable) / 4K (docked)
- HDR support
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yes
