Engadget guide lists checks for Switch 2 TV connection failures

The guide says Nintendo recommends turning off the TV and disconnecting all cables from the Switch 2 dock to begin. That includes unplugging the AC adapter from both the dock and the wall outlet, removing the handheld from the dock and leaving everything unplugged for about 30 seconds. The dock has three ports behind its removable panel, with the top port reserved for AC power. After the wait, users should reconnect the AC adapter to the dock and then to the wall, make sure the handheld screen faces the front of the dock and confirm that it is fully slotted in.

The guide emphasizes that the dock must be fully plugged in and receiving power through its AC adapter for a TV connection. Users should check for split, frayed or visibly damaged cables and make sure the USB plug side of the AC adapter is fully seated in its port. A dead wall outlet can prevent both charging and external display output, so the guide suggests testing the same socket with another device and a different charger. If a third-party AC adapter is in use, it must meet the console's power requirements. The Switch 2 needs more power than the original Switch and requires an adapter delivering at least 54W to support a continuous TV connection, according to the guide. Nintendo sells compatible AC adapters for $35 each on its official website.

If power is not the problem, the guide directs users to the HDMI connection. An Ultra High Speed dual-end HDMI cable should be plugged into the HDMI-out port on the dock. The Switch 2 ships with a UHS cable that supports 48Gbps bandwidth and HDMI 2.1 connections; third-party cables can work if they also support UHS. Lower-speed HDMI cables, including the cable that came with a first-generation Nintendo Switch, cannot be used, the guide says.

The other end of the cable should go into an HDMI-in port on the TV, preferably an HDMI 2.1 port. The guide says HDMI 2.1 enables up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz, while HDMI 1.0 ports limit output quality and make 4K and high refresh rates impossible. UHS cables are technically backward-compatible with HDMI 1.0 ports, but the port itself remains the bottleneck. HDMI 2.0, which supports 4K, was released in 2013. Because TV models may not label their HDMI port types, the guide says users may need to verify with the manufacturer. It notes that most LG OLED TVs, for example, have multiple HDMI 2.1 ports sufficient for the Switch 2, which can transmit 4K at 60Hz or 1080p at 120Hz.

The guide also says to check the TV's HDMI settings. Using the regular TV remote, users should look under picture settings, advanced settings or output settings for options such as Auto Low Latency Mode, a gaming mode, HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color or Input Signal Plus, and enable them for the port in use. They should then select the HDMI input that matches the port where the cable is inserted. If the Switch 2 does not appear onscreen automatically, the guide suggests pressing the handheld screen's power button while it remains docked and making sure the controllers are charged.

If the connection still fails, Nintendo suggests testing another UHS HDMI cable, other HDMI ports on the TV or another TV to help identify the cause, according to the guide. The guide adds that the problem could lie with the handheld, its software or its settings. It says users should remove the handheld from the dock, try turning it on and make sure the latest software update is installed.