I've noticed it seems to have a generally weak WiFi connection, or more specifically seems to be very prone to interference, yes. My wireless headphones apparently interfere with WiFi signals, and I discovered thats why my audio drops out often when downloading something on a console, but on the Switch I noticed I was getting like 1.5Mbps down and 900kbps up while downloading. As soon as I turned my headphones off it shot up to 18Mbps down and 3Mbps up. That said, it was only 23Mbps down and 3Mbps up when I held the switch right next to the router, and I should be getting 30/15 or 25/10 depending on the conditions. Then again it cautions that tested speeds can be slower if a game is suspended, which it was. So some of it might be local resource allowances more than actual wifi issues.
I haven't taken it too far from the router yet though, so we'll see if it's as bad as 3DSXL which would be a shame because that was awful and N3DSXL did much better.
Edit: I should note that WiiU was really good for WiFi. My PS4 over WiFi struggles mightily... HOURS to download a few gig patch, and it's sitting right next to the WiiU that was fine.) Now that Switch showed me that my headphones are a huge source of interference, I'm betting my PS4 would benefit from wired or downloading only when not using the headphones as well.
I dont know, first the joy con issues and now the wireless. I think I will send it back. There is 14 days to do so in Europe. Cant imagine how online play might work with bad wifi. It all seems to me like beta console testing to me with nintendo denying all issues. The candid answer was no, lol.
If you have WiFi Connection issues. Bring it back. Is a clear hardware issue with the Broadcom WiFi adapter.
I bought two Switch consoles at launch. One for my son and one for me.
My son's Switch worked flawlessly out of the Box and I had nothing but problems with WiFi and ultimately black screen error crashes in Zelda and then stuck in a reboot loop.
I returned it for a refund in the store and managed to find another Switch at another store (last one).
This one worked flawlessly right out of the Box (like my Son's Switch)! Stable and strong WiFi with good connection speeds. What a difference!
Made a decision. Sending it back tomorrow for a refund. Could really kick my axx for buying it despite my plans for waiting until christmas.
Seems not too many people on this forum have any wifi issues. The internet is otherwise full of reports.
Called nintendo today. I was told they are aware of the issues but dont really know whats causing them and much less how to solve them.
Really annoying imo.
It wasnt until yesterday that I was aware of the problem. I did the update in portable mode pretty close to the router and didnt really do online when docked. Yesterday I had to realize that this is just plain ridiculous.
Mk8 and splatoon would be the only games until xmas to buy... awesome.
Of course I could always play them online in portable mode, closer to the router. But this is not what I bought it for...
@Jeronan
Just out of curiousity. What is more or less the max distance between router and the switch that will still provide you with full bars or at least two?
Would be interesting to know. Some people on the internet seem to have even problems when the router is in the same room.
Even if I was right next to the router I just had only two.
I've had terrible wifi issues. In fairness I do play my Switch exclusively inside an aquarium. If I'm honest the fact that it's not waterproof is causing me bigger problems.
@Andrzej777 Two bars right next to the router definitely doesn't sound normal. With my headphone interference problem I fluctuate between 2 & 3 bars, mostly 3, at about 10-15 feet away (but my throughput is still awful due to interference.) if I turn the headphones off, I still get 3 bars at that distance, HOWEVER, while I don't know how many bars it could get, it does detect the WiFi routers from neighboring houses! So it's picking signal through walls, metal and open outdoor space...yet seems to have interference locally. Some of this could really still be firmware issues too (I've had launch laptops like that, terrible signal until patched a few months later....and it's the same lousy Broadcom WiFi as most laptops...)
I do have to do some more testing and check my other access point. I have a LOT of different competing signals. I may just be using a bad channel on that router or something.
Haven't noticed any issues with it. If anything, downloading/watching videos on the eshop/etc. have all been faster than my other consoles (PS4 and Wii U are very sluggish over the wifi, for some reason).
My switch doesnt detect any neighboring networks. My pc does...
Quick workaround: make your windows 10pc a mobile hotspot. It works with me. About 10 feet away I get two bars, not bad.
To be fair, I checked again 1 feet away from the router I got three bars. Two to three feet away it was down to two.
Not sure I am comfortable with that hotspot workaround. Its even quite costly to run the pc whenever I want to play online with my switch. Couple of hours left to make a final decision until dhl will comes to pick it up...
@Andrzej777 Hmm, I'd hate to advise you wrong on this one...what you describe sounds like it might be a defective wifi card/antenna, but it's hard to say for sure since Switch does generally have poor signal strength....so it's possible that's "normal" for your environment if there's interference....
That said, it was only 23Mbps down and 3Mbps up when I held the switch right next to the router, and I should be getting 30/15 or 25/10 depending on the conditions. Then again it cautions that tested speeds can be slower if a game is suspended, which it was. So some of it might be local resource allowances more than actual wifi issues.
This "issue" is more likely to do with Nintendo's servers. There was a video on youtube where a dude was "benchmarking" various ways to connect your Switch to the internet. He came to conclusions based on variations in speed between 20Mbps and 30Mbps. Neither of those speeds are bottlenecks for any kind of wired network adaptor. I'm fairly confident that's just the amount of bandwidth Nintendo's download servers.
Anyways, I tried to check what spec WiFi the Switch has. I'm not entirely sure. But when I look at the link speed when it connects to my access point? It's sitting at ~130Mbps. So taking into account funky WiFi maths? You should be getting upto ~60Mbps on WiFi and ~100Mbps using a basic Ethernet adaptor. If you're getting less its Nintendo's servers or your internet.
@Jeronan
Just out of curiousity. What is more or less the max distance between router and the switch that will still provide you with full bars or at least two?
Would be interesting to know. Some people on the internet seem to have even problems when the router is in the same room.
Even if I was right next to the router I just had only two.
With my new "good" Switch, distance doesn't matter much now. I even get two bars downstairs.
Though, I have a wooden house.
If you live in a concrete house, you will have bad WiFi outside the primary room unless you use range extenders.
I honestly haven't had a single wifi issue with my Switch. At times, it has shown 1 bar, 2 at most when connected to my router, but that's a whole floor and room away. I haven't tried being in the same room as my router but then, eshop videos and game downloads (updates included) have all been quicker than my PS4 & Wii U. So I don't see a reason to be. Meanwhile my PS4 struggles to keep me connected when I'm just browsing PSN or am playing DBXenoverse online.
Never take anything I say seriously. S'all you buddy. ;)
Mainly play on my Switch but I have 3DS, Wii U and PS4 as well.
Fave game series include: Pokemon, Smash Bros, Splatoon, Disgaea, Bayonetta, Dragons Dogma, Phantasy Star & Arena of Valor.
Forums
Topic: Abysmal wifi connection, anyone?
Posts 1 to 20 of 56
This topic has been archived, no further posts can be added.