How to Connect Nintendo Switch to a TV

You'll need an AC adapter and an HDMI cable but the process is pretty simple

By
Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy Writtenhouse
Writer
  • Kaplan University
Sandy has been writing about technology since 2012. Her work has appeared on How-To Geek, MakeUseOf, iDownloadBlog, groovyPost, and many other websites.
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Updated on May 8, 2024
Reviewed by
Kayla Dube
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Reviewed by Kayla Dube
  • J. Everette Light Career Center
Kayla Dube has 4+ years' experience in videography and filmmaking. She frequently works in production with indie film companies.
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What to Know

  • Open the back cover of the Nintendo Switch dock and connect both the AC adapter and HDMI cable.
  • Plug the other ends of the AC adapter into a wall outlet and the HDMI cable into your TV.
  • Detach the Joy-Cons, place your Nintendo Switch into the dock, and power it on.

This article explains the steps to connect your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch (OLED model) to your television. Note: The Nintendo Switch Lite does not support TV mode.

What You’ll Need

Gather these items to connect your Nintendo Switch to your TV. Everything except for the TV should have been included in the box when you purchased your Switch.

  • Nintendo Switch game unit with Joy-Cons
  • Nintendo Switch dock
  • AC adapter
  • HDMI cable
  • Joy-Coy grip or wrist straps (optional)
  • HDMI-compatible TV

How to Connect Your Nintendo Switch to Your TV

Once you have all the materials above, connecting your Switch to your television takes only a minute.

  1. Place your Nintendo Switch dock on a stable surface close to the television. Open the back cover of the dock.

  2. Connect the AC adapter to the AC Adapter port, if it’s not already, and plug it into a wall outlet.

  3. Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI Out port on the back of the dock and the other end into the HDMI port on the back of your TV.

    Connect the cables on the back of the dock

  4. Close the back cover of the dock while routing the cables through the opening.

  5. Detach the Joy-Con controllers from the Switch. Press the button on the back of a Joy-Con and slide it upward to remove it. Do the same with the second Joy-Con.

    Switch controllers in the Joy-Con grip

    You can use the controllers as-is, connect the wrist straps, or slide them into the Joy-Con grip. If you purchased a Joy-Con Charging Grip, you could use that as well.

  6. Put your Nintendo Switch into the dock. Make sure the screen faces the front of the dock where you see the Nintendo Switch logo.

  7. Power on the Switch and your television. Adjust the input on your TV for the corresponding HDMI port you used.

The screen on the Switch turns off when it’s in the dock, but you should now see the Switch's screen on your television. So, you should be ready to play!

How to Disconnect From the TV

If you want to disconnect your Nintendo Switch from your television when you finish playing, reverse the steps above.

You can then plug the dock back into the wall outlet, reattach the Joy-Cons, and put the unit into the dock to charge the Nintendo Switch and its controllers.

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