Restoring Factory Settings
Restoring factory settings means deleting all data on the Nintendo Switch console and returning it to the state in which you bought it. However, you can also restore factory settings while retaining some of the data stored on the console.
Clearing the cache
Resetting the keyboard
Restoring the console to factory settings
Restoring factory settings without deleting save data
Clearing the cache
When you do things like link a Nintendo Account or post screenshots to social networks, websites will be displayed on the console. You can delete the data stored for these websites, including IDs and passwords, cookies, history and the cache, for each user on the Nintendo Switch console.
How to clear the cache
Open System Settings on the HOME Menu, then select System ⇒ Formatting Options ⇒ Clear Cache. Select the user you'd like to clear the cache for, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Resetting the keyboard
The console's keyboard remembers the text you've entered and displays predictive text suggestions when you type. You can reset keyboard data for each user on the Nintendo Switch console.
How to reset the keyboard
Open System Settings on the HOME Menu, then select System ⇒ Formatting Options ⇒ Reset Keyboard. Select the user you'd like to reset the keyboard for, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Restoring the console to factory settings
All of the data stored in the console's system memory will be deleted, including software data, save data, screenshots and user information. Use this feature before exchanging or disposing of your Nintendo Switch console.
You will also become unable to use software data saved on a microSD card.
If you are trying to reformat your console because a problem has occurred, we recommend that you try restoring the factory settings without deleting save data.
Restore factory settings in a place where the console can connect to the internet
If you restore factory settings while the console is not connected to the internet, the console will not be deregistered as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo Account. The console will be automatically deregistered the first time you start Nintendo eShop on it after restoring it to factory settings, but in the meantime you will not be able to register another console as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo Account.
Please read the information here if you exchange or dispose of a Nintendo Switch console that is still registered as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo Account.
Make sure you are aware of the following before restoring your console to factory settings
Restoring the console to factory settings will delete all data, and you will no longer be able to use data saved on a microSD card.
The following types of data, saved in the system memory, will all be deleted:
Software data
Save data
Screenshots
User information
Nintendo Account link
Registration of your console as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo Account (only when connected to the internet)
All settings on the console
All information records such as error history
You will become unable to use software data saved on a microSD card.
Screenshots saved to a microSD card will not be affected and can continue to be used.
The following will not be affected if the console is restored to factory settings:
The console's system version
Nintendo Accounts linked to users on the console will not be deleted
Redownloading software data
Your Nintendo eShop funds and account activity will be saved to your Nintendo Account. If you link your Nintendo Account to another user, you will be able to redownload software data from Nintendo eShop.
If you are unable to redownload software data, check to make sure that a different console is not registered as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo Account. Redownloading may not be possible for software that is no longer being distributed.
How to restore the console to factory settings
Open System Settings on the HOME Menu, then select System ⇒ Formatting Options ⇒ Restore Factory Settings.
Restoring factory settings without deleting save data
Alongside restoring the console to factory settings and deleting all data, you can also restore factory settings without deleting save data. If you are trying to reformat your console because a problem has occurred, we recommend that you try the latter method first.
If you choose to reformat your console in this way, the following types of data will remain in the system memory, and all other data will be deleted:
Save data
Screenshots
User information
Nintendo Account link
Registration of your console as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo Account (only when connected to the internet)
You will become unable to use software data saved on a microSD card
Even if you restore factory settings without deleting save data, you will become unable to use software data saved on a microSD card. As your user information and Nintendo Account link will not be deleted if you reformat your console in this way, you can redownload deleted software data from Nintendo eShop.
Screenshots saved to a microSD card will not be affected and can continue to be used. Redownloading may not be possible for software that is no longer being distributed.
How to restore factory settings without deleting save data
Unlike other formatting options, this must be done by accessing a special recovery mode.
Turn the console off.
Press the POWER Button while holding the volume up and volume down buttons. Continue holding the volume buttons to open recovery mode. Keep holding the volume buttons until recovery mode is displayed.
Select "Restore Factory Settings Without Deleting Save Data", then follow the on-screen instructions.