First check whether your Wi-Fi name is missing from the Switch or appears but fails the connection test. Those symptoms point to different fixes. On the console, open System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings, then work through the steps below to identify whether the issue is signal, router settings, the internet service, or the console.
Start with what the Switch displays
- Your network name is missing: check distance, interference, whether the router hides its network name, and wireless compatibility.
- Your network name appears but is grayed out: Nintendo says this indicates an unsupported security type.
- Your network appears and the connection test fails: check the error code, signal, DNS settings, and whether other devices can get online.
Nintendo recommends setting up the console within about 10 feet of the router. For troubleshooting, keep it roughly 10–15 feet away or closer. A nearby test helps rule out weak signal before you change router settings.
If the Wi-Fi network name is missing
Search again close to the router
- Open System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings.
- Move the Switch close to the router and wait for the network scan to finish.
- If your network still does not appear, press Y to search again.
Nintendo’s steps for a console that cannot find a wireless network are in its wireless network troubleshooting guide.
Restart the console and reduce interference
Restart the Switch, then check whether the network appears. Move the console and router away from potential sources of wireless interference. Nintendo lists metal filing cabinets, speakers, power strips, glass, and cordless phones among possible obstructions or interference sources.
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Check whether the router hides its network name
A router with a hidden SSID will not show its network name in a normal scan. If you know the exact network name, password, and security settings, use manual setup to enter them. The Nintendo wireless setup instructions explain the connection process.
Check wireless compatibility before changing router settings
Nintendo lists support for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, 802.11b/g/n/ac, and WEP, WPA-PSK (AES), and WPA2-PSK (AES). A grayed-out network name indicates the security type is unsupported. If you are considering changing the router’s security settings, ask the router manufacturer or ISP first; a change can affect other devices on the network.
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If the network appears but the connection test fails
Check whether the internet works on other devices
Try a phone, computer, or another wireless device on the same network. If those devices also cannot get online, the issue is more likely with the modem, router, or internet service than with the Switch.
- Check that the modem and router are connected properly and powered on.
- Unplug the network equipment for at least 30 seconds, then reconnect it.
- Wait for the indicator lights to stabilize and test the connection again.
- If the network still has no internet, contact your ISP, router manufacturer, or network administrator.
Nintendo’s internet connection troubleshooting guide covers checks for other devices and restarting network equipment.
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- Plug in the AC adapter and power your Nintendo Switch system from any 120-volt outlet. The AC adapter also allows you to recharge the battery, even while you play.
Use the error code and test signal conditions
Nintendo’s guidance for error codes 2160-8006 and 2160-8007 lists DNS, slow internet, interference, and weak signal among possible causes. Try the connection test close to the router. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, test the other band as well.
Check DNS settings
For an ordinary home network that does not require a particular DNS address, use automatic DNS rather than a manually entered address. If a network administrator has supplied a specific DNS setting, follow that guidance instead. Nintendo treats alternate DNS as a diagnostic option, not a universal fix; its error-code guidance also notes that Google’s public DNS is subject to Google’s terms.
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See Nintendo’s guidance for error codes 2160-8006 and 2160-8007.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Test another network to locate the fault
Try connecting the Switch to another access point or network, such as one in another location. The result helps separate a console-wide problem from a problem specific to your home network:
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- Other devices fail on your home network too: focus on the modem, router, or ISP.
- The Switch cannot detect access points in multiple locations: contact Nintendo Support.
If the problem occurs only on your home network, contact your ISP or router manufacturer. Nintendo’s missing-network and internet-troubleshooting pages provide additional escalation guidance.
When a wired connection is an option
A USB LAN adapter can provide wired internet through a dock without a built-in LAN port. It is an optional alternative if you prefer a wired connection; it does not repair the Switch’s Wi-Fi. Nintendo discusses wired connectivity in its error-code guidance.
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