Hardware Switch Has little signs of life

bobbytomorow · Jan 28, 2023

I just bought a used switch from a local on FB Marketplace. The previous owner claimed that she did not use the switch for some time, it was left docked and when she did go to use it recently it was simply dead. So I bought it as is to try and fix it. This is a Switch V2 (XKW4 serial).

Interesting findings:

When plugging in to dock the green LED on dock flashes on for a second then off and stays off.
When connecting to Windows PC via USB C cable Windows chimes as though detecting it and I get a yellow exclamation mark in device manager. When I hold down the power button Windows chimes again and the exclamation mark leaves device manager. Release power buttton and hold in again and Windows will chime and exclamation mark returns. Indicates that switch does indeed power cycle to some degree, enough for Windows to recognize it.
Joycons also had completely dead batteries but do work now after charging them on a working switch. So if they were connected to the dead switch when it was docked they also lost their charge.
When plugged into a phone charger with LED indicator the LED turns orange signalling that the Switch is taking a charge to some degree.
When plugged into external battery, battery indicates that switch takes a charge (batteries charging LED stays lit)

Things I have tried:

Numerous different power button methods: holding it in for 15 secs then quickly pressing it, holding it in for more than one minute, holding it in while holding it in the volume minus button
removed back cover and inspected, no signs of liquid damage nor any burn marks, everything appears normal.
unplugged battery and plugged back in. No change
Tried charger from working switch. No change.
Charged overnight with 65W Apple USB C charger with joycons removed. No change.
Since opening this thread I have tested the battery with a multimeter and it reads 4.13V (Good)

Any suggestions?

Pixel13 · Jan 28, 2023

That's whacko

xldon2lx · Jan 28, 2023

Get a tester and check how many amps is the switch taking when on charge. Most likely scenario here is that the power IC is bust.

marhalloweenvt · Jan 28, 2023

Maybe there is some problem with M92T36 or MAX77621A. I think you should open it and use VOM to narrow down issues.

TheSynthax · Jan 28, 2023

what is the name of the device in Device Manager?

BigOnYa · Jan 28, 2023

To me, it sounds like the battery got to such a low level that it now cannot be charged. (Circuit protection built in battery) It wants to start, wants to charge, but can't, and windows see's it for second then battery shuts it back off. I'd try a different battery just to check first.

TheSynthax · Jan 28, 2023

I'd 2nd trying a good battery, if it's just a charging problem then this would confirm that diagnosis. If it's a firmware problem, it would probably enumerate as an Nvidia APX device, or not at all.

whisky9 · Jan 29, 2023

First of all, get a multimeter and check the battery voltage if it is lower than 3.2V. The issue may come from dead battery or power IC.

bobbytomorow · Jan 30, 2023

whisky9 said:
First of all, get a multimeter and check the battery voltage if it is lower than 3.2V. The issue may come from dead battery or power IC.

I was able to test the battery with a multimeter and it read 4.13V so it appears the battery is fully charged and then some.

So we have:
-battery is charged
-windows detects switch and shows it in device manager when I hold the power button down for a bit
-Windows also detects when it’s off if I hold down the power button while connected because it will disappear from device manager

But: no display and no fan spin, no signs of life at all

urherenow · Jan 30, 2023

phonemonkey · Jan 30, 2023

bobbytomorow said:
I was able to test the battery with a multimeter and it read 4.13V so it appears the battery is fully charged and then some.

So we have:
-battery is charged
-windows detects switch and shows it in device manager when I hold the power button down for a bit
-Windows also detects when it’s off if I hold down the power button while connected because it will disappear from device manager

But: no display and no fan spin, no signs of life at all

I had the same issue on my switch that I left to drain.

Put the most recent atmosphere on and use its applicable fusee.bin.

That fixed mine.

Fusee versions only work on applicable atmosphere versions.

Also, she may have hacked it and just isn't telling you.

Good luck.

Post automatically merged: Jan 30, 2023

phonemonkey said:
I had the same issue on my switch that I left to drain.

Put the most recent atmosphere on and use its applicable fusee.bin.

That fixed mine.

Fusee versions only work on applicable atmosphere versions.

Also, she may have hacked it and just isn't telling you.

Good luck.

Of yeah, hold the power button for ten seconds to completely power off first. Then plug it in and power it on for detection

FXAllawi · Apr 2, 2026

Hello there, yeah, i have same problem too, that does't show any sign of life, i only found some warm if i place my finger under switch logo in back, and also i use power bank to check if draw power or not, and really did, after 40 min, took 19% from power bank, and i still wonder why still didn't show nothing, is because battry dead? or something deep?

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