Hardware Can't boot anymore after updating official firmware

[benone]

Hello!
I have a V1 unpatched Nintendo Switch with an official firmware on it that I bought used on eBay last year.
I never used a mod or any custom firmware on it. The previous user could have, but not me during the time I have it. I did connected the console through Wi-Fi once but I never updated it until this morning. I do not use any SD Card.

The steps:
-Yesterday, I decided to charge the console, since the battery was empty.
-After it charged properly, I disconnected the cable of the AC adapter from the wall and the from the console.

-Then this morning, I turned on the console like normal and wanted to play for the first time to "A Space for the Unbound".
-I inserted the cartridge in the console.
-I had a message telling me that the console needed an update to play the game. I clicked 'Update' and the update went successfully. I don't remember if the update was made through the Internet or from the cartridge.
-Then, a message popped-up to tell me that the console needs to restart.
-And then, when I boot the console, it shows only the Nintendo logo, then it's a black screen.

I tried various basic troubleshooting like this Nintendo official page:
https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22502/~/nintendo-switch-system-has-no-power,-a-blank-screen,-or-wont-wake-up-from

- When I connect the console through USB-C via the official adapter or another USB-C cable I have, there's no battery icon shown on screen, but my battery was 97% when I updated.

- I also tried charging my console for 30 minutes before trying again the troubleshooting.


Do you have any suggestions?

* I do have those various mini screwdrivers to open electronics. So I could open the console if needed, I'm open to that.

 

[thesjaakspoiler]

Updates usually come over the internet, directly from Nintendo.
After downloading it, this update starts installing whenever you reboot.
And sometimes the Switch messed it up.
But the official maintenance mode should be able to fix that.
You can turn off the Switch forcefully by pressing the power button for about 15 seconds.
If you press both vol + and -, you should go into the official recovery mode.
Then just follow the instructions.
Sometimes just booting into the recovery mode and exiting it solves the problem.

Since you were able to download the update, I presume that the serial number of the Switch is still fine.
Some people blank it out with their custom firmware.

The Nintendo logo showing up tells you that at least the boot roms are working fine.

Additional issues that cause that black screen but are unlikely :
- battery statistics not coming in.
- fuse count messed up (not very likely nowadays unless you were on a really low firmware)
- Wifi module broken
Maybe check you SD card for folders like bootloader and atmosphere.
If you got the SD card with the Switch when you bought it, maybe a CFW is installed anyway.
You never know with second hand stuff.

https://github.com/eliboa/TegraRcmGUI/releases​

 

[Jayinem]

Just curious why anyone would buy an v1 unpatched Switch with no intention of modding it what so ever? Why not go for a nicer Oled or something, unless you bought it like 5 years ago.

Is there some moral reason you don't want to mod it? Because it might end up being easier to fix if you mod it believe it or not in this case. There could possibly be a solution like what the previous poster said but if not but I would not recommend to send it to Nintendo for example in case the previous owned did mod it.

 

[benone]

Updates usually come over the internet, directly from Nintendo.
After downloading it, this update starts installing whenever you reboot.
And sometimes the Switch messed it up.
But the official maintenance mode should be able to fix that.
You can turn off the Switch forcefully by pressing the power button for about 15 seconds.
If you press both vol + and -, you should go into the official recovery mode.
Then just follow the instructions.
Sometimes just booting into the recovery mode and exiting it solves the problem.

Since you were able to download the update, I presume that the serial number of the Switch is still fine.
Some people blank it out with their custom firmware.

The Nintendo logo showing up tells you that at least the boot roms are working fine.

Additional issues that cause that black screen but are unlikely :
- battery statistics not coming in.
- fuse count messed up (not very likely nowadays unless you were on a really low firmware)
- Wifi module broken
Maybe check you SD card for folders like bootloader and atmosphere.
If you got the SD card with the Switch when you bought it, maybe a CFW is installed anyway.
You never know with second hand stuff.

https://github.com/eliboa/TegraRcmGUI/releases​

Hello and thank you for your time!
I tried several times to get into recovery mode and it doesn't seem to work. I tried right now with your instructions and I can't.

I'll try again at the end of the week because I don't have time this week.

I do not have any MicroSD Card inside the console and never had one during my use in the last year.

I thought about letting the battery die and try again, maybe it could help.

At this point, could I start using a custom firmware using a Micro SD Card ?

thanks again.

Post automatically merged: Sep 9, 2024

Just curious why anyone would buy an v1 unpatched Switch with no intention of modding it what so ever? Why not go for a nicer Oled or something, unless you bought it like 5 years ago.

Is there some moral reason you don't want to mod it? Because it might end up being easier to fix if you mod it believe it or not in this case. There could possibly be a solution like what the previous poster said but if not but I would not recommend to send it to Nintendo for example in case the previous owned did mod it.

Hello!
Yes, that was exactly my intention at first. I just didn't put any effort or time for this because I was busy playing a game on cartridge, haha.

Thanks for the advice to not send it to repairs.

So, at this point, if I use a MicroSD card, would I be able to do a maneuver to use a custom firmware?

thanks for your reply.
I'll be out for some days, so I will check the messages at the end of the week.

 

[benone]

Update!

Even if the battery died, after charging it up, I still have the same issue.

What should I consider doing if I want to do the move towards the custom firmware adventure?
Is it doable even if my Switch is at this state?

 

[benone]

Update!
This topic is solved.

Using a RCM Jig and the help of the NH Switch Guide, I could proceed to the whole process of converting my dead console to a working one. All my save files were still there, I'm glad everything worked out well!
Now I have a backup of everything.