Some users are already reporting that Nintendo’s brand-new console overheats and can even shut down by itself during gameplay.
Recent weeks have seen a growing number of posts—mainly on Japanese forums—claiming that certain units of the Nintendo Switch 2 are prone to overheating. Owners describe sudden freezes and shutdowns while the fans run at full speed, apparently unable to keep the hardware cool. These complaints span a wide variety of games, from demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Projekt RED) to simpler ones like Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma.
The issue isn’t unique to Japan; Western players have reported similar problems. On Reddit, user NitroWalrus732 described the following: “I’ve had my Nintendo Switch 2 display an overheating warning and enter sleep mode twice, both times while playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition docked. I was running at 2K resolution, which probably didn’t help, but it’s still concerning. Has anyone else experienced this? I’m wondering if my system is defective or if The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition is just that demanding.”
If you encounter this annoying problem, there isn’t much you can do: try cleaning the vents and let the console cool off for a while. If it keeps happening, it’s probably best to contact Nintendo support. Despite these reports, Nintendo Switch 2 sales remain strong. Some estimates suggest that more than 5 million units were sold in June alone—though these are not official figures, it’s clear the Switch 2 is on track to smash Nintendo’s 15-million forecast for March 2026.
Still, it’s a bit worrying to see these kinds of failures just a month after launch—consumers expect a lot more from a brand-new console.
Source: WCCFTech, NintendoSoup
