The Nintendo Switch (€ 289.00) and Nintendo Switch OLED (€ 329.00 euros) are currently the focus of technical discussions. With the firmware update to version 19.0.0, users are reporting battery problems that affect the mobility and use of the console. These problems raise questions about energy efficiency and firmware optimization and require quick solutions from Nintendo.
The most important facts in brief
- Many users report rapid battery drain after the update.
- Irregular battery displays lead to confusion and incorrect battery life estimates.
- Charging times also appear to have increased for some users.
- Solutions are expected from Nintendo, but there is no official statement yet.
Causes and technical details of the battery problem
As reported by the blog nintendolife, among others, the Nintendo Switch has been suffering from stamina problems since its firmware update to version 19.0.0. The battery problem seems to occur after the update, particularly with intensive use and longer playing times. Those affected report an unusually fast battery drain that was not previously observed. Possible causes could lie in the new firmware itself, which has apparently introduced background processes or changes to the energy management system that drain the battery.
Such problems often indicate poor optimization, where new functions or processes in the operating system have not been sufficiently tested for efficiency. Another frequently mentioned point is the battery status display. Many users notice that the remaining battery life displayed fluctuates greatly or is inaccurate compared to the actual capacity. This could be caused by incorrect calibrations or altered measurement algorithms in the firmware, which no longer correctly reflect the charge status. Such a problem could possibly be corrected by an additional update.
Preliminary solutions and recommendations
While Nintendo has not yet released an official solution, there is some advice that affected users can try. Firstly, resetting the battery status indicator may help: This involves completely discharging the battery and then fully charging it again to calibrate the display. Alternatively, some users report that resetting the console to factory settings has at least temporarily improved the situation – however, this should only be considered as a last resort, as all saved data will be lost.
Conclusion
The firmware update 19.0.0 is a challenge for Nintendo and Switch users. Battery problems and fluctuating remaining runtimes significantly impair the user experience, which is why Nintendo needs to act quickly. Until then, affected users can only solve the battery problems manually or wait for a new firmware.
The supposed patch 19.0.1 was implemented to address the battery drain issues, however its November 7th, and my multiple switches drain drastically. In sleep mode my Oled switch drains faster, than the regular v2 switch and my switch lite. Ive done multiple tests and im losing 20% battery life in sleep mode per hour if not more. The switches are warm to the touch even though they have not been used, and the latest update made my scenario worse for my main oled switch.