Nintendo Switch Repair Guide UK: Joy-Con, Screen & More

Did You Know?

Quick answer: Nintendo Switch repairs cost £25-£129 depending on the issue. Joy-Con drift is by far the most common problem (fixable from £25), followed by screen damage and charging issues.

The Nintendo Switch has sold over 140 million units worldwide, making it one of the most popular consoles ever. Its hybrid portable/home design is innovative, but it also introduces unique failure points. Here's what you need to know about Switch repairs.

Did You Know?

Our Nintendo Switch Repair Track Record (2025)

• • 234 Nintendo Switch consoles repaired - Original, Lite, and OLED
• • Joy-Con drift fixes: 112 units - permanent stick replacement
• • Screen replacements: 54 units - including OLED upgrades
• • Charging port repairs: 41 units - USB-C replacement
• • Average turnaround: Same day for Joy-Con, 1-2 days for console
• • Most common model: Original Switch (58% of repairs)

Data from celltech repair logs, January-December 2025

Common Switch Problems

• Joy-Con drift - Phantom inputs and unwanted movement (40%+ of repairs)
• Cracked or damaged screens - The portable nature leads to drops (20%)
• Charging issues - USB-C port damage or battery problems (15%)
• Dock problems - No TV output, display issues (10%)
• Game card reader failures - Cards not recognised (10%)
• Fan and overheating - Especially in older units (5%)

Joy-Con Drift

Joy-Con drift is so prevalent that Nintendo faced a class-action lawsuit over it. The issue causes the analog sticks to register movement even when you're not touching them, making games difficult or impossible to play.

What causes drift?

The Joy-Con uses a potentiometer-based joystick mechanism that wears down over time. Dust, debris, and normal friction gradually degrade the contact points, causing false readings.

Temporary fixes

• Calibration - Settings → Controllers and Sensors → Calibrate Control Sticks
• Compressed air - Spray under the rubber cap to remove debris
• Contact cleaner - Electrical contact cleaner can help temporarily

These fixes are temporary. If drift returns, the stick module needs replacement. See our detailed Joy-Con drift fix guide for permanent solutions.

Screen Problems

The Switch screen is a 6.2-inch LCD (or 7-inch OLED on the newer model). Being a portable device, screens get damaged through drops, impacts, and pressure.

Types of screen damage

• Cracked glass/digitiser - Touch may still work, but screen is visually damaged
• LCD damage - Black spots, lines, or completely dead display
• Touch not working - Digitiser failure, often from cracks
• OLED burn-in - Rare, but possible on Switch OLED from static images

Switch screens are replaceable. The standard Switch screen costs £79-£99 to replace, while the OLED model costs more due to the premium display. If your Switch is heavily damaged, see our guide on repair vs replacement to decide the best option.

Charging Issues

The Switch uses USB-C for charging, which is both a blessing and a curse. USB-C is reversible and convenient, but the port can be damaged by poor-quality chargers or physical stress.

Common charging problems

• Won't charge at all - Port damage or battery failure
• Charges slowly - Port debris or incorrect charger
• Only charges in dock - Direct port issue
• Battery drains quickly - Battery degradation

Warning

Third-party dock warning: Some cheap third-party docks have bricked Switch consoles due to incorrect power delivery. Always use the official Nintendo dock or well-reviewed alternatives.

Dock Problems

The Switch dock connects your console to the TV. When it fails, you lose TV mode entirely.

Dock troubleshooting

1. Try a different HDMI cable
2. Try a different TV input
3. Check the dock USB-C connector for damage
4. Reset the dock (unplug everything, wait 30 seconds)
5. Test the Switch in handheld - if it works, the dock is likely faulty

Dock repairs are usually straightforward - often it's the USB-C connector or the HDMI port that needs attention.

Game Card Reader Issues

If your Switch won't read game cards, the symptoms are usually:

• "The game card could not be read" error
• Games loading then crashing
• Game cards not being detected at all

Causes

• Dirty or damaged game card
• Bent pins in the card slot
• Game card reader component failure

UK Repair Costs

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nintendo repair Joy-Cons for free?

Nintendo has offered free Joy-Con drift repairs in some regions due to legal pressure. In the UK, it's worth contacting Nintendo Support to ask - policies vary and change over time. If you're within the 2-year warranty period, repairs should be free regardless.

Will I lose my saved games?

Game saves are stored on the Switch's internal memory, not on the game cards. Hardware repairs don't affect saves. If you have Nintendo Switch Online, your saves are also backed up to the cloud (for supported games).

Is it worth repairing a Switch or should I buy a new one?

Most Switch repairs cost £25-£100, while a new Switch is £259-£309. Unless you have multiple issues, repair is almost always more economical. Even a screen replacement at £99 is significantly cheaper than a new console.