How to factory reset a Nintendo Switch (and Switch OLED)

The Nintendo Switch actually offers several levels of intensity and style when you factory reset its firmware, a process also known as a “hard reset.” This is a great final step that should resolve just about any software troubleshooting issue. You’ll also want to factory reset your Nintendo Switch before reselling it to protect your data.

Please note that you lose a lot of data when factory resetting a Nintendo Switch. Make sure to back up your best Switch games before doing so.

how to Factory Reset Your Nintendo Switch

The easiest way to reset your Switch is to use the main menu. A variety of options are available from this screen, including Initialize the console – which will wipe your system.

Here’s how to start the Switch reset process:

Step 1: On the Home screen, go to the screen System settings menu located at the bottom of the screen – this is the icon that looks like a gear.

2nd step: Hit it A to display a list of options on the left side of the screen.

Step 3: From the list of options, select System.

Step 4: THE System The menu options will appear on the right side of the screen. You need to scroll down to the bottom option again, Initialize. This will then display a new menu with several options for resetting your Nintendo Switch. Read on to determine which one is best for you.

Factory Reset Nintendo Switch: Options

If you have followed the steps above correctly, you now have several options. Choose carefully to get the right type of reset.

Reset cache: Use this option if you want to clear your Switch’s internet browser data but keep everything else. This includes saved user IDs and passwords for various websites, such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as your Switch browser history.

Reset the keyboard: The Switch’s virtual keyboard pays attention to what you type and records data about the words and phrases you use often. It uses this data to provide predictive typing options for words you use often, so you don’t have to type every word as you use the keyboard, speeding up the process. This option clears this predictive text data.

Format the microSD card: In order to use a microSD card as additional memory for the Switch, it must be formatted. This option will delete all data from a microSD card you plug into the Switch, allowing it to be used in the console when you’re done. If you’re experiencing errors when using a microSD card on the Switch, this is the option you want.

Initialize the console: It’s the biggest. This option reverts your Switch to its original state, deleting all saved data, screenshots, videos, Switch usernames, web browser data, game data, and system updates. This will also reset system settings such as parental controls to their default values. If you have a Nintendo user account linked to online services like Nintendo eShop, the account will still exist online, but it will no longer be linked to the Switch. According to Nintendo, any Switch data you have stored on a microSD card will not be deleted. Aside from your screenshots and videos, the data on your microSD card will become unusable.

Only use this option as a last resort, either if you’re getting rid of the Switch altogether or if you’re experiencing errors so annoying that no other option will fix the console. Nintendo notes that you also need your console to be connected to the Internet to reformat it.

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After factory resetting your Switch

You may lose some of your data when restoring your Nintendo Switch to factory settings. But all will not be lost; you will be able to reinstall the games you have previously purchased.

Once a player links their Switch to their Nintendo Account again, they will be able to easily download games or DLC from the Nintendo eShop. No one has to worry about physical copies of their favorite games. Players will have the option to reinstall them a little later.

The player will need to insert their microSD card into the computer before attempting to reformat anything. After swiping the card, select the Album case. From here, you can find and reload additional pre-saved images, screenshots, or files to the computer. Once that’s done, simply slide the SD card out and insert it into the Switch console. At this point, the Switch device should return to its default settings.

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