You need to stop using third-party Nintendo Switch chargers right away
Some Nintendo Switch owners are breaking their console -- and losing all their precious save data in the process -- because they've been relying on third-party charging adapters. Maybe.
Multiple owners of Nyko's Switch dock have been met with errors and, ultimately, a bricked console after updating to the recently release v5.0 firmware, Kotaku reports. You can see some of that chatter yourself on Reddit, GameFAQs, and GBATemp.
Here's one unfortunate Switch owner's firsthand account of what happened in his case.
To be clear: We don't know for sure that there's a definite correlation between Nyko's dock specifically and the 5.0 firmware. In fact, there's been some suggestion that it's not just Nyko's dock.
This could be an issue with all third-party Switch chargers, or none of them. It might have everything to do with the new firmware, or nothing. But whatever's happening, Nintendo felt compelled to issue a statement to Kotaku.
Unlicensed products and accessories do not undergo Nintendo’s testing and evaluation process. They might not work at all with our game systems, and they could have compatibility problems with certain games, the Nintendo Switch system itself, and other licensed accessories and peripherals.
All that said, the Nyko dock -- which is smaller and cheaper than Nintendo's own $90 product -- has also been known to cause a malfunction in the USB-C port used to charge the Switch. But speaking anecdotally, I know of at least one friend whose USB-C port suddenly stopped working despite her having only ever used Nintendo's official dock. So who knows?
If there's any takeaway here, it's that Switch owners should exercise caution and heed Nintendo's advice. Especially while there's still no way to protect your personal data. Third-party chargers may be cheaper, but what does that savings really get you when your 400-hour Zelda save disappears without warning?
Topics Gaming Nintendo Nintendo Switch
Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.
