Topic: Ethernet port on Switch 2 docks failing for MANY people

Yep, it just happened to me yesterday after pretty much daily use from playing Splatoon 3. Luckily I still had my usb-Ethernet adapter I used for the switch 1, but it’s still pretty annoying.

OK, I put this on both threads.

I will report this back to them or the Switch 2 is having Dock issue to DBrand which the outcome as I test on Second Dock and ethernet works just fine.

Nintendo help wants to send in Switch 2 but I don't believe it's the issue here and I will check with the store for Warranty replacement as well. Error code 2100-1100 I this is Dock issue with ethernet but they keep claiming it's Switch 2. I already have two Switch 2 and swapping back and fort indicates Dock 1 is the issue here not Dock 2. But they don't want to send out New Dock to replace it.

I can now confirm changing my setup with both Switch 2 and Docks that seems Dock1 from 1Switch2 can't connect to 1Switch2 but 2Switch2 will connect to ethernet. And same setup on Dock2 both work for ethernet so this can't be a Switch2 issue but Dock1 communication issue with 1Switch2 to connect ethernet. So I am going to request Nintendo support send a replacement Dock for 1Switch2 and see what happens.

Same ethernet issue in Italy

The ethernet port of my Switch2 worked fine for 2 weeks, then 3 days ago died.
I tried many different software set up of my router, changed cables, added powered ethernet switches...nothing.

it still doesn't work after i did, via wifi ,1 h ago the last consolle software upgrade version 20.3.0, released on July 28, 2025

I tried to upgrade the dock too, but i looked already upgraded.

Tomorrow i will call the shop that phisically sold me the Switch 2 and i will explain them the issue.

I did take my 1Switch2 and all it's stuff and paid to exchange for more recent Switch2. And used the same setup without the Dbrand Dock and it connects ethernet and tried later when docking and it work ethernet. Then cross finger used the DBrand Dock and tested again and it seems to work ethernet undock and redocked to test and ethernet works but I had to make sure to keep DBrand held down from coming up to insure it was causing issues. Will keep checking the ethernet port to insure it work and I did tell my niece if they want to just remove the DBrand cover on the Switch to use the Dock as normal if that is the case. So hopefully there's doesn't do what my other Switch2 did.

I've had an ethernet cable connected to the dock ever since I got the Switch 2 on release day, and it worked fine until around three or four weeks ago, when the dock lost the wired connection and couldn't reconnect. I checked the cable and router, they were both fine, tried to change the internet settings on the Switch 2 and rebooted it, nothing helped. I still left the cable connected to the dock, and last week the wired connection suddenly started working again without me having done anything.

I assume this has something do with firmware, since the connection problems started after the previous firmware update, before that there were no issues. Hopefully the new firmware update today fully fixes these problems.

This happened to me today. (Or maybe i just noticed today since i recently camw back fromhidah). Just after my son had uodated the firmware 20.4 today. Have any of you people got new solutions. Can wait for a bit if the experience is that it gets back on after a while

@romanista sorry for the late reply, but there was a trick to revive the Ethernet connection. Get a phone or a tablet that has a usb-c connection and plug it directly into the dock where the Switch 2 goes. It’s a tip I found on Reddit. I got my Switch 2 dock back from the Nintendo Uk repair center only to be met with the same error message 2110-1100

Nintendo decided to use Realtek RTL8153 lan port which I read is known to be really bad.

As I had hoped, the firmware update a month ago seems to have fixed this issue for me, as the ethernet connection has been totally steady ever since.

This is an interesting problem. As per powereat's suggestion, this implies that there's nothing wrong with the ethernet, and the fault stems from the security measures Nintendo has implemented to lock out third party accessories, via the usb-c port, making the usb-c port deviate from standard protocols. I would speculate that the ethernet connection is being blocked by the console itself, when it performs the checks on the usb-c connection. Requires testing to confirm or refute.

I recall docking the system and it wouldn't auto-connect back to wired ethernet. But manually connecting worked. Haven't had any issues since- that was a month ago, give or take.

But ya, no problems since.

@WhiteUmbrella
This theory seems a bit hollow because the issue with third party docks is that they're failing to negotiate display modes. Which, along with negotiating charge rates, is one of the funkier parts of USB Type C. Especially when you start asking for stuff like HDR, VRR, 4K or high charge rates. Because devices usually negotiate the simpler modes first

But that whole negotiation handshake is, almost by definition, device specific. It's always non standard. It has to be. Each device is explaining to the other devices what it can do and what it expects and every device is different. The problem with third party docks on the Switch 2 is that the Switch 2 is asking questions most docks don't know the answer to. Which isn't an issue for their dock, because they tested with their dock, but it is an issue with third party docks

I've had similar buggy behaviour with some laptop docks or even on the Steam Deck with some docks. USB Type C is a bit of a mess

But the Ethernet port is just a USB device. Theres nothing complicated about it. There are dedicated pins on the Type C connector for USB 2.0, pins which are part of and a fallback for USB 3.0. Short of physically removing pins you can't break those

@skywake Perhaps you should watch the LTT video. Whether or not there are interoperability issues with various usb-c devices or Nintendo hardware and third-party docks is not the issue. It's not what I'm suggesting. USB 4 is exactly the same port, physically at least, as USB type c. What makes these two different is the capabilities they need in order to qualify for certification. USB type is a certification and what Nintendo is doing with it should probably deny them the right to use the term "USB type-c" in their marketing.
Nintendo have instituted their own proprietary checks, and I am suggesting that when it comes to this system of checks, the Switch 2 itself is rejecting the ethernet connection specifically. This is a hypothesis, one that is readily verifiable or refutable, by monitoring the communications between the console and the dock, where this malfunction is occurring.

What I'm trying to do here is to suggest something that might lead to a solution. What are you doing? .. because to me it seems you are seeking to defend Nintendo by obfuscating the issue. Are you capable of letting go of fanboyism and stopping yourself from compulsively defending Nintendo, even for one second?

Just to be clear I never used a third-party dock. This issue happened on an official Switch 2 dock, sent directly to Nintendo for repair. It came back with the same fault. Plugging in a usb-c phone (Huawei, in this case) into the dock caused the LAN port to start working again, which others with similar user reports and suggests a handshake or power negotiation issue with the usb-c port logic. Whether that’s firmware, a hardware fault, or poor qa, I can’t say but dismissing this as user error or third-party dock behavior is just incorrect.

Just found this thread! My Ethernet port died around mid August. Sent it back to Nintendo (why they can’t just replace it as it’s new is beyond me) it took just less than a week for them to repair it and send it back in beautiful Nintendo packaging 😂

The repair process was OK I guess, except them fussing over the proof of receipt, I had to go into the Argos website where I bought my Switch 2 from and generate a receipt with a VAT number on. It all seemed a bit of a faff for a brand new console that obviously can’t be more than 12 months old.

@WhiteUmbrella
I watched the LTT video, they outlined the details of their tests in a technical document. It aligns with what I said. And I would note that nothing you are saying here helps this thread or helps find a solution either. Especially given it's not a display issue and it's on the official dock

It seems to me there's some sort of firmware issue with some docks. Possibly an issue with differently sourced Ethernet controller or some issue with particular network configurations. Hard to say. But one thing it definitely isn't is an issue with the display handshake on third party docks

edit: I would also note that my sister's Switch 2 refuses to connect via Ethernet. We got them together, same store, same day. Which should rule out any batch level manufacturing or component sourcing faults. The difference however is that my setup is a direct wired connection from the Switch 2 into a pretty shiny Ubiquiti router. My sister has a wireless WiFi 5 bridge which then connects to a 10 year old ISP provided router. Her Switch tries to connect via Ethernet into the bridge but just... fails part way through. But WiFi is fine and her TV is fine with the bridge

I can only assume there's something about her config it's not happy with. Or she got a faulty dock or something. I'd do some testing but, frankly, she couldn't care less given it connects to WiFi fine. And in any case I have enough difficulty trying to get her to swap from her rather difficult and restrictive ISP who locks you to their specific crappy router. Which is what I expect is partly to blame here

@skywake The LTT video doesn't "align with what you said". What it clearly delineates is that it would be possible to monitor the communication between the dock and the console, during the handshake process. That this might be useful for diagnosing just what is going on is obvious. It could be useful. What isn't useful is posturing on the internet. Tiresome.

@WhiteUmbrella
You've misinterpreted the video and misunderstood the issue it was addressing. Watch it again. They're talking about how the Switch 2 negotiates the display output capabilities required of the dock sloppily. Which does break compatibility with most third party docks available at this point

But I can guarantee you that other devices do similar things. The original Switch literally does this. But the difference is these other devices have been on the market for a while and/or are built on the assumption that people will buy third party accessories. The Switch 2 is new and Nintendo assumes most people will use their dock. That's the difference

I'm not saying that Nintendo did a good job here. They clearly didn't. What I'm saying is that to me it smells more of apathy than some engineered lockout security conspiracy. And that the story has been overblown

But again, what you're saying here has literally nothing to do with the Ethernet connection issues on the official dock. Both because Ethernet is not the display, it's a USB device. But also because we're talking about the official dock, which is unaffected by this issue. So how is your comment helping anyone in this thread?

It's entirely unrelated to this topic

@skywake Even the video title disagrees with you. Of course LTT were never going to directly accuse Nintendo of purposefully locking out third party devices, but if Nintendo were just doing what they have always done, how would it "change the industry"? Stop seeking needless arguments so that you can "win" them. Have you ever lost an argument? I'm pretty sure you haven't, at least in your own mind. It's like Reforge Gaming has a profile on Nintendolife. Get a grip, man.

@WhiteUmbrella
The LTT video title was hyperbolic given what it actually said. Also as much as I like his content and have been a subscriber since probably 2012 or something Linus skews pretty negative on Nintendo's output. Always has. Well, at least has done since back in the day they took down some of his post-WAN show Super Mario World play sessions. So it shouldn't surprise he took that angle

In any case, this thread is about the issues with the network adaptor in the official dock. The issues that do exist with third party dock display output on Switch 2 literally doesn't apply here. Because we're talking about the NIC which hangs off the USB controller, i.e. not the display, on the official dock. Your comments literally do not apply to this thread

@skywake Ok. Bye, Reforge.