More and more owners of the Nintendo Switch 2 are complaining about unexpected HDMI failures when using it in docked mode – a frustrating problem that particularly affects LG smart TVs and occasionally projectors or PC monitors. While Nintendo has not yet issued an official statement, numerous user reports point to possible solutions – and raise questions about the cause.
The most important facts in brief
- Repeated HDMI signal interruptions: Black image at random intervals
- Particularly affected: LG Smart TVs, but also other screens such as projectors and PC monitors
- Possible causes: Design error in the dock or software incompatibility
- Temporary solutions: Switching off 120 Hz on the device, deactivating VRR/FreeSync/G-Sync on the display
Frequent HDMI failures with Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
Several users on Reddit and in the NintendoLife forum unanimously report that their Switch 2 suddenly loses the HDMI signal path when docking. The result is a completely black screen – with no error message or sound. Although LG Smart TVs seem to be the most affected, projectors and monitors are not spared either. It is striking that replacing or repairing the dock does not seem to change anything. Users therefore speculate that either a design error in the dock or a software bug is behind it.
First workarounds in the user test
The community is already developing the first workarounds, which look promising:
- Deactivate 120 Hz mode: Many report that disabling 120 Hz output in the Switch 2 menu reliably stops the signal tearing.
- Disable VRR/FreeSync/G-Sync: Since the console does not support VRR externally, disabling these functions on the TV or monitor can also help stabilize it.
Although these options limit the technical performance somewhat, they ensure that the picture remains stable – a clear improvement over the black screen.
Cause unclear: hardware or software?
Although the problem appears to be hardware-related – possibly caused by the dock design – the successful instant fixes indicate that there is a firmware or software error. The fact that replacing the dock does nothing supports this theory.
However, it remains unclear why LG devices in particular are affected. A common issue is the interaction of 120 Hz, HDR and automatic VRR switching. If these signals do not interact properly, the HDMI handshake can fail – resulting in a black screen.
What Nintendo Switch 2 users can do now
| Step 1 | Action |
| 1 | Deactivate 120 Hz output in the display settings of Switch 2 |
| 2 | Switch off G-Sync, FreeSync and VRR on the external display |
| 3 | Use direct connection – without HDMI switch, soundbar or similar |
| 4 | Check firmware regularly: Nintendo could deliver an update soon |
Until Nintendo comments or an update follows, this remains the best practical approach. Buyers should consider whether they are willing to sacrifice some performance to ensure stable image output before making a purchase.
Conclusion
The HDMI problems with the Nintendo Switch 2 are increasingly troubling users – black screens, unexpected signal interruptions and incompatible TV features are driving the community to creativity. Although the causes are not clear, adjustments such as switching off 120 Hz or VRR are having an effect. An official Nintendo statement is still pending – hopefully an imminent firmware update will provide a comprehensive remedy. The Nintendo Switch 2 is available at a price of around €469.00. Buyers should keep an eye on the HDMI compatibility and display settings.
