April 11, 2025, 2:08 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
The Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular game consoles on the market. Although it is nowhere near as powerful as the PlayStation or Xbox, it still has its own advantages. Nevertheless, the Switch can be optimized with just a few settings. We reveal how to do it.
Nintendo itself regularly releases updates that bring new functions to the Nintendo Switch or optimize its performance. But what many people don’t know is that players themselves can also improve the performance of their console with just a few settings. All it takes is a few clicks in the settings.
Overview
More Battery Life
The Switch is a handheld console. It is true that the normal and OLED models can also be operated wired to the dock. However, these two consoles — just like the Switch Lite — are clearly intended for mobile use. A good battery life is, therefore, the be-all and end-all. Due to its compact design, the Nintendo Switch is not known for its huge battery and its enormous performance and endurance. However, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the load on the battery and increase the runtime.
Deactivate automatic brightness: This display setting is activated by default in the factory. However, it is advisable to switch it off and reduce the brightness of the display. This saves power, which is then available for a longer gaming session with the Nintendo Switch. The corresponding setting can be found under “Screen brightness.”
Deactivate controller vibration: The Joy-Cons vibrate during certain actions in the game. This haptic feedback allows the player to immerse themselves more deeply in the game world, but the function also affects the performance of the Nintendo Switch and consumes battery power. However, the controller vibration can be switched off under “Controller and sensors.” This is particularly useful for the regular Switch and the Switch OLED. For the Lite version, this adjustment is only worthwhile if players use a supported wireless controller.
Adjust standby mode: If the Nintendo Switch is not actively used for a few minutes, it goes into standby mode to save power. This is activated by default after 10 minutes in handheld mode or after one hour when playing on a monitor or TV. At least for handheld mode, the time can be significantly reduced in the settings under “Standby mode.”
Faster Downloads
It is not only physical games that can be played on the Nintendo Switch. Users can also buy numerous titles in the connected eShop and download them to the console. Sometimes, the data packages are enormous and the download takes a correspondingly long time. However, there is a trick that can be used to improve the internet performance of the Nintendo Switch so that games can be loaded faster.
In the settings, users can find information about their WLAN under “Internet” and then “Internet settings.” Adjustments can be made by clicking on the network and then “Change settings.” A little further down the list is the MTU value, which determines how much data the console can receive simultaneously. By default, the MTU is set to 1400. However, it can be increased, which in turn has a positive effect on the download performance of the Nintendo Switch. The value can be set manually but should not exceed 1500.
More Memory Without Memory Card and Data Loss
Let’s stay with game downloads: If you mainly buy your games from the eShop, you may have already come up against the limits of storage space. The Switch’s memory can be expanded using a microSD card. However, there is also a way to free up space on the console without an SD card. The whole thing works in the menu under “Data management.”
Here, you will find the item “Quick archiving.” It is particularly interesting for games that players are not currently using but whose game saves should not be deleted. When archiving, the software icon and the saved data remain on the Switch. The game itself is deleted, freeing up storage space. The Switch shows exactly how much under each listed title. As soon as someone wants to play the game again, it can and must be downloaded again.
Valve Steam Deck — Functions, Advantages, and Evaluation
Acer shows its first handheld console at IFA
Play N64 games in 4K thanks to new retro console
Switch 2 with Significantly More Power
The Nintendo Switch is available in different versions. The first version of the classic model was launched in spring 2017. This was later followed by an update with more battery life and two completely new models, the Switch Lite and Switch OLED. The tips mentioned in the article for improving performance apply equally to every Nintendo Switch.
For those who are still not satisfied with the performance of their Switch, Nintendo’s latest console is worth a closer look. On April 2, the Switch 2 was presented in detail during a Nintendo Direct. The revamped handheld will be available to pre-order from June 5. Thanks to a larger display, new processor, revised and expanded memory, and some new functions and controls, Nintendo promises significantly smoother and optimized gameplay.