Topic: Switch console can't find my router access point

I've tried everything, restarting the modem, the console, docked and undocked, manually inputting my wifi details but it still can't find my internet signal even though all of my other devices are working just dine. I put all other gadgets on airplane mode and that didn't help either. The real kicker in this is that it can find my neighbor's wifi signal which is 25 yards away but I can be right next to the modem and it won't pick up mine. HELP!

Is there perhaps an aquarium anywhere close?

Btw. there are quite alot with the same issue when you google "Nintendo Switch Wifi problems", e.g.:

https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/189706-nintendo-switch/750604...

So, in that regard, its time to wait (again) on Nintendos reaction.

But whatever you do, check first the aquarium .. if that doesnt help, look for metal parts all over your place and remove them.

No aquariums here. Just frustration and reality setting in that I'll never use the eShop.

@Hotshot605 Ok, in that case, I give you a real approach of help.

In your router settings, check if you have enabled 5ghz hotspot in case you are running it at 2.4 and vice versa in case you have it at 5ghz, try 2.4.

That causes the switch to "misbehave" cause the geniuses at Nintendo didnt seem to test anything before shipping their console.

Edit: If you need the connection for the eShop consider this malfunction to be a blessing .. get the physical copies of everything and the digital download stuff wont run away.

No my router is fairly old and doesn't have that kind of ability haha, it's a westell 7500 Linksys so it's only 2.4 ghz. But I still find it strange it picks up the neighbors but not mine.

@Hotshot605 Thats the issue, you will need a 5ghz one in that case.

Ask your neighbor if its on 5ghz ... to confirm.

If you know him well, ask him to switch to 2.4 for a moment to test.. and voila, you have the root cause (most likely)

Try using an alternate mode of connection. WPS?

@Vee_Flames I've tried all the manual inputs to no avail. I've also tried looking up the SSID with 192.168.1.1 and I always get no response.

@ironside1911 Iso what your saying is that people with a router max of 2.4 GHz won't be able to access eShop or updates unless they get a new modem?

@Hotshot605 No, both should work 2.4 and 5ghz connection, as 5ghz was added to the switch at some sort of last minute attempt. This causes the switch to misbehave on certain routers, so that either 2.4 or 5 works but not both selective. I would assume this affects especially older routers and you should be able to test with your neighbor or any other routers around.

But again, youre not alone with this issue, its just Nintendo who ignores it, you can google it and you will quickly find other people with similar issues:

https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/189706-nintendo-switch/75058755

@Hotshot605

When was the last time you updated the firmware on your router?

The 3DS and WiiU only supported 2,4GHz WiFi, but the Switch should support both 2,4GHz and 5GHz WiFi.

@Jeronan As I wrote above and confirmed by many online. It should be supported, yes, and it is but still he will need a 5Ghz version of his router to work cause not all are supported.

Firmware update for the router might work if there is one, yes. Try it.

Other than that, a quick google check will reveal others with same issues and I guess when you use a different router or 5Ghz, it works... so its a incompatibility of the switch with the routers.

EDIT: In theory its an issue that could be fixed easily by Nintendo - but it would require them to go through the affected routers manually (and you reporting it), I highly doubt they will invest anything close to 10 seconds on it as it will be mostly older routers affected.

@LinktotheFuture if I had to guess it would be I never have based on googling that.and we've had the router for probably 7 years

@Hotshot605 In 7 years time, its very likely there has been a firmware update. But before you do any, make sure you know what you are doing by using only official firmware updates specifically for your region and model number (same models are sold in different regions with different firmwares) and follow the steps .. else you will end up with a dead router.

Then again, if you are using a 7 year old router, by now Im sure your provider will be able to exchange it for you for free (should be after 7 years).

@Hotshot605

I agree with @ironside1911. Get a new router from your Internet provider. There probably is a firmware update, but you will be better off with the new router.

I had the same issue.
The Switch DOES support 2.4ghz. The FCC documents show proof of this (as well as my anecdotal evidence considering my Switch is connected to a 2.4ghz network right now).
While a firmware issue could be the issue, the answer for most people is actually in the form of the encryption the router uses for it's security. The Switch only supports AES encryption for security and won't support TKIP. If you look at the security options available when manually setting up a connection on the Switch, you'll see that it only supports WEP (Open), WEP (Shared), WPA-PSK (AES) and WPA2-PSK (AES) in terms of security options.
Before going out and buying a new router, try changing your routers security settings to an AES encrypted version such as WPA2-PASK. The option should be in your Wireless Settings on your router (the methods of accessing this will be different depending on your router so you'll need to look this up).
My Switch was right next to my router and it was still invisible. I changed the router security settings to WPA2 (AES) instead of the default WPA (TKIP) and it appeared straight away.
The Switch is literally incapable of identifying any networks that use outdated encryption standards such as TKIP.

@howshouldiknow will my other devices stay connected to my wifi if I make those changes or will I have to reenter and reestablish their connection as well?

You might need to re-enter the password depending on the device (as long as you gave the new security settings the same password that it had before).
For example, my PS4 didn't need to but because my computer recognised a change in security protocols, it asked me to re-enter the password before connecting as a security measure.