Topic: Always playing in Dock Mode question?

I try not to play for too long in dock mode if I'm playing 3D modern games because Switch becomes very hot in this case and I'm sure it could harm the console if played for too long that way. It does not become that hot when you play simpler games like many indie games are, 2D pixel art games, or if you play in portable mode.
As far as I know Switch uses far less processing power when in portable mode to avoid battery depleting too fast and I think this is why it becomes so much hot when docked with power demanding games. But maybe during winter it will be safer to play it in docked mode for longer play session. During summer I think it is better to play it in portable mode more

@LuckyLand That's not the reason. The reason for it using less power in portable mode, and also it being less powerful, is mainly to prevent overheating, because in portable mode, the system is only using passive cooling, and when it is in the dock, it is actively cooled.

Yes, it also generates more heat with more demanding software, but it is also cooled more efficiently, so that is of no major consequence to the system. Nintendo will surely have taken this into account and their R&D department will have put prototypes through rigorous testing to be able to take care of these kinds of issues.

@ThanosReXXX I tried it myself, and seeing how much more Switch becomes hot in docked mode I would not play even just one hour with a demanding game during summer. This spring the weather was less hot and this problem was less serious but still I noticed a huge difference between docked and portable mode. Portable mode is always safe no matter what game you play. Maybe 8 hours would be a little too much but you can safely play Mario Kart for two straight hours and more even in the hottest day of summer.
I can't say for sure what the reason is but for sure Switch could have problems if you play it in docked mode for too long.
Maybe they did not even cared that much about it since playing too much hours at once is strongly discouraged and is not a healthy habit (not that I don't do it myself lol) so they tought it was not a priority to make a console that was safe to play 8 hours straight.
But in portable mode it probably is safe to play it that long, at least for the console itself. For the gamer probably not that much lol

@LuckyLand I know from experience how hot something shouldn't get from having my old computer overheat on me during summer, and the Switch isn't reaching those levels as far as I'm aware, and I have about 200+ hours played on BotW, one of the more taxing games currently available.

If the Switch can't handle use as a home-console, than you can't call it that, now can it? I never remove it from it's dock while playing, only when it's off to clean it on occasion. And if this causes it to burn out or anything like that, then either my Switch is defective, or Nintendo has been telling us lies ever since it's released.

@ThanosReXXX Also hello Thanos, how are you doing these days? Holland been treating you well?

@LuckyLand Again: how hot it gets and if that's more than in portable mode, is of no relevance or consequence. Of course it gets hotter in docked mode, since it goes full force when in the dock, so it's only natural for the hardware to get hotter if it works harder.

But in the dock it's also actively cooled because the fans are also spinning harder, and in portable mode the cooling is largely passive, so that is why this difference is occurring.

Nothing special, as any experienced laptop or even PC user will be able to tell you, and @UmniKnight is a good example of that...

@UmniKnight I'm doing fine, thank you for asking. And I'm completely at home here, but that isn't all that surprising, since I've already been here for about 35 years...

@ThanosReXXX That's good to hear. I'd like to take this to another topic/post about games, that is if you're keen on talking some more about them. I've had some... doubts about the Switch for a while, but I've decided to take a different approach to that, and just stick with my change of mind.

Gosh...
I have never played for 8 hours straightly.
Usually I play my Nintendo games between 30 minutes until 4 hours for the longest.
Playing for 8 hours straightly is not good for health (Wasting electricity, wasting precious time, causing tired eyes, etc)

I haven't got Switch yet but I will play my Switch in Undocked mode mostly 95%. Perhaps some Docked mode if only I want to see Bigger screen version for a moment.

@UmniKnight That's okay by me. Just tag me in the topic and I'll see it in my inbox. And don't take offense if I don't answer right away: especially on Saturdays and Sundays I'm gone most of the day, so I won't check the site before the evening falls. I just took a quick peek now, so I saw your message, but I'm out the door now again, so see you later.

@ThanosReXXX That's alright, people have stuff to do, I understand that. I'll see yours in mine when responding then

I have just recently right now had the issue of overheating. I'm an exclusive dock user while at home. I got a message stating the system got too hot then moments later it put its self into sleep mode. I am guessing this is mainly because I leave the dock plugged in at all times. I am going to try unplugging the dock while the system is not inside and see if this helps. After this problem arises I have to say this would be the common sense thing to do. I will post back in two days.

@LuckyLand
Take your Switch on the go.
Your machine is probably feels bored to get docked for long time.
No need to worry by carrying your Switch outside.

@Secure_d_vega @Anti-Matter may have a point about dust etc. possibly causing an issue - but the dock is just plastic, I'm not sure how much good unplugging the dock without the system in it will do.. it's not as if there is a tonne of hardware inside the dock working away while the Switch is undocked.

Unplugging the dock is useless for overheating issues. It is the console itself that becomes hot and when you remove it from the dock the dock don't heat at all.
I unplug everything but for other reasons not to prevent heating. Buying a fan to place in front (or maybe at obe side) of the dock is probably a lot more useful.

@LuckyLand Buying a fan might be good, though not the ones on ebay that fit into the space in the dock - they don't actually help with air moving through the system (this is according to a few YouTube videos I've watched by console repairers). Just bringing the room heat in general helps.

So it has been a few days. I have read the posts in response to my previous post. I have been using an electronics caned air blower on the circuit box freeing dust which may have settled in the circuit area. I have even used a tri-tip screwdriver to open the circuit area and used the canned air to blow off all visible dust. I have only had the system for a little over a month.

I have dealt with a lot of electronics in my day and I know the most common thing which can cause overheating is dust. I do this Bi-weekly for all my electronics. Keeping the can level so no moisture gets sprayed onto the circuits.

So after a little more than a month, I am having these problems. Most people which are having these issues have had the switch for six months or more.

Oh, one more thing I like to keep my room very cool. I usually have a box fan on in my room. Ever since the overheating has been happening I have had the box fan directed to the Switch dock and i still get the message saying the system is too hot.

Keeping the dock unplugged while the system is not in it does allow me to play for a little longer but instead of the time being like ten minutes, it lets me play for about 45 minutes.

@DanteSolablood Subpopz may have had a point. Anti-Mater was just being an immature smart-arse with his comment.

@LuckyLand
One thing i noticed from my Switch.
Since i play in Handheld mode 99.99%, my Switch got warm when i put on any flat surface without ventilation.
But, it stay cool when you play with enough ventilation.
No need fan.
And i oftenly take my Switch outside, let the peoples know existence of Nintendo Switch.
They should know about that.

Immature what ??