Topic: Docking while off

Hi there, I haven't had my Nintendo Switch for long and today I docked it while it was off. It took a few tries to actually sense the HDMI connection and the dock light kept turning on and off, until I took it out and clicked on the power button myself (I could also see it turning on in the dock). Would this affect the Switch and will it damage it if I do this again? (docking it while it is completely turned off)

@EdyEdward Fundamentally, the Switch is meant to constantly be put in and out of the dock. It doesn't care if the Switch is on or off when you do this. I never pay attention to the dock light personally. It is definitely possible to put the Switch in incorrectly where it doesn't quite click in (I do this occasionally and have to pick it up and stick it in again) but unless you jam it in there with extreme force, the worst that can happen is that it might not be charging when you think it is.

@EdyEdward Are you saying you think your dock or switch isn't working correctly? I can't tell.

Otherwise, it doesn't appear you can have your switch in the dock while turned off. If you shut down the switch, and then put it in a dock that's plugged in, it will always wake, then remain in sleep mode. It appears, the only way to keep the Switch turned off is to keep it out of the dock.

The switch is mobile tech. And maybe this is old knowedge (anyone correct me if I'm wrong, I don't know if it's still relevant), but I thought leaving a tablet/phone constantly plugged in harms battery longevity in the long run, even if battery maintenance charging/sensing is better these days.

When I'm done playing the switch, I remove it from the dock, shut it down, and keep it in a drawer. I do that for a few reasons, to de-clutter, minimize dust & keep it clean, and also it stays powered down. (There's a chance I may be about the only person on NL that does this.)

@WoomyNNYes I have left my Switch docked for the majority of the last 7 years and have had only mild battery-life degradation.

@FishyS Yeah, I honestly don't know the impact powering down & staying undocked vs. keeping the Switch docked. I've never seen it discussed, or tested. Since I do play my switch most days, my switch battery is still getting charged/topped-off daily because I always play docked.