Unable to Connect With Others Online (Errors During Match-Making Process)
Description:
You can connect your Nintendo Switch console online, but you are unable to join matches with other players.
You are often disconnected when online matches start.
Important:
While troubleshooting, test your connection after any changes are made to the Nintendo Switch console or network environment to determine if the change resolves your issue.
Additional Information:
Errors during the match-making process may be the result of the network environment, including the following possible causes:
The network NAT type is not optimal for creating a peer-to-peer connection with other users.
A large amount of latency is causing the match-making process to time-out.
What to Do:
Perform a connection test on the Nintendo Switch console, and take note of the following results:
NAT Type
Download Speed
Upload Speed
What is the NAT type?
A or B
NAT type A is preferred and generally indicates that your network environment works well for connecting with other players. NAT type B is compatible with most other NAT types as well.
What is the download speed?
3Mbps or higher
Are you using a wired or wireless internet connection?
Wired
As your NAT type and download speeds appear OK, it's possible this could be due to the wired network environment, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Power cycle your home network.
Restarting your network devices may resolve this issue if it is related to the devices being unresponsive.
Attempt to connect directly to your modem.
Connecting the LAN adapter directly to a modem, instead of the router, will bypass other networking devices and determine if these are resulting in the issue. After connecting directly to a modem, make sure you restart the device by removing the power cable for a minute.
Try a different ethernet cable.
If a second ethernet cable works, this may indicate the ethernet cable originally used is damaged or no longer working.
Situation Not Resolved
If you are still experiencing difficulty connecting with other players, this could indicate an issue related to the network of the player you are connecting with. If you only experience this issue when connecting a specific player, ask them to try the same troubleshooting.
If this occurs when trying to connect with any player, it may still indicate an issue related to your network environment or the router being used.
If you would like to continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the router, contact the router's manufacturer for assistance with performing the following steps:
Updating the router's firmware
Resetting the router back to its factory default settings
If you continue to experience issues when connecting directly to the modem, you may also wish to contact your ISP regarding any potential issues, especially if you experience similar issues when connecting other devices online.
If you would like further assistance with the Nintendo Switch console, please contact our Customer Support.
Wireless
As your NAT type and download speeds appear OK, it's possible this could be due to the wireless network environment, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Move the Nintendo Switch console closer to the wireless router.
If possible, place the Nintendo Switch within 3 to 5 meters (10 to 15 feet) of the wireless router to improve the signal strength during troubleshooting.
It may be helpful to remove the Nintendo Switch console from the Nintendo Switch dock while troubleshooting, and then return the console when troubleshooting is complete.
Move any metal objects or electronic devices away from your Nintendo Switch console and wireless router.
Metal objects and electronic devices may interfere with wireless signals. If you have any of these, such as filing cabinets, speakers, power strips, glass, or cordless phones, next to your system or wireless router, move them away.
Power cycle your home network.
Restarting your network devices may resolve this issue if it is related to the devices being unresponsive.
Situation Not Resolved:
If you are still experiencing difficulty connecting with other players, this could indicate an issue related to the network of the player you are connecting with. If you only experience this issue when connecting to a specific player, ask them to try the same troubleshooting.
If this occurs with trying to connect to any player, it may still indicate an issue related to your wireless network environment or the wireless router being used.
If you would like to continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the wireless router, contact the router's manufacturer for assistance with performing the following steps:
Updating the wireless router's firmware
Resetting the router back to its factory default settings
If you would like further assistance with the Nintendo Switch console, please contact our Customer Support.
Below 3Mbps
Based on this result, it's possible your network speeds may causing you to time out during the connection process.
Use our troubleshooting to try and improve your network's download speed.
C
Users with NAT type C network environments may have difficult connecting to some users with more restrictive NAT types.
What is the download speed?
3Mbps or higher
Try to improve your network NAT type.
As your network speeds seem OK, use our troubleshooting to try and improve your network's NAT type. If this does not resolve your issue, continue with the following troubleshooting.
Are you using a wired or wireless internet connection?
Wired
As your NAT type and download speeds appear OK, it's possible this could be due to the wired network environment, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Power cycle your home network.
Restarting your network devices may resolve this issue if it is related to the devices being unresponsive.
Attempt to connect directly to your modem.
Connecting the LAN adapter directly to a modem, instead of the router, will bypass other networking devices and determine if these are resulting in the issue. After connecting directly to a modem, make sure you restart the device by removing the power cable for a minute.
Try a different ethernet cable.
If a second ethernet cable works, this may indicate the ethernet cable originally used is damaged or no longer working.
Situation Not Resolved If you are still experiencing difficulty connecting with other players, this could indicate an issue related to the network of the player you are connecting with. If you only experience this issue when connecting a specific player, ask them to try the same troubleshooting.
If this occurs when trying to connect with any player, it may still indicate an issue related to your network environment or the router being used.
If you would like to continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the router, contact the router's manufacturer for assistance with performing the following steps:
Updating the router's firmware
Resetting the router back to its factory default settings
If you continue to experience issues when connecting directly to the modem, you may also wish to contact your ISP regarding any potential issues, especially if you experience similar issues when connecting other devices online.
Wireless
As your NAT type and download speeds appear OK, it's possible this could be due to the wireless network environment, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Move the Nintendo Switch console closer to the wireless router.
If possible, place the Nintendo Switch within 3 to 5 meters (10 to 15 feet) of the wireless router to improve the signal strength during troubleshooting.
It may be helpful to remove the Nintendo Switch console from the Nintendo Switch dock while troubleshooting, and then return the console when troubleshooting is complete.
Move any metal objects or electronic devices away from your Nintendo Switch console and wireless router.
Metal objects and electronic devices may interfere with wireless signals. If you have any of these, such as filing cabinets, speakers, power strips, glass, or cordless phones, next to your system or wireless router, move them away.
Power cycle your home network.
Restarting your network devices may resolve this issue if it is related to the devices being unresponsive.
Situation Not Resolved: If you are still experiencing difficulty connecting with other players, this could indicate an issue related to the network of the player you are connecting with. If you only experience this issue when connecting to a specific player, ask them to try the same troubleshooting.
If this occurs with trying to connect to any player, it may still indicate an issue related to your wireless network environment or the wireless router being used.
If you would like to continue troubleshooting potential issues related to the wireless router, contact the router's manufacturer for assistance with performing the following steps:
Updating the wireless router's firmware
Resetting the router back to its factory default settings
Below 3Mbps
Based on this result, it's possible your network speeds may causing you to time out during the connection process. Use our troubleshooting to try and improve your network's download speed.
D
NAT Type D indicates that your network will make it difficult to connect with other players. Generally, players with NAT Type D are only able to connect to players with NAT Type A.
If this is your NAT type, use our troubleshooting to try and improve your network's NAT type.
F
NAT Type F generally indicates that your network is restricting communication which will make it impossible to connect with other players.
If this is your NAT type, use our troubleshooting to try and improve your network's NAT type.