The most recent Switch 2 software update appears to have destroyed many third-party docks and related accessories, according to users on the Internet and a report from My city. We don’t know if this was an intentional decision by Nintendo or just an accident. Engadget has reached out to the company for clarification.
Switch 2 update 21.0.0 brings some much-needed quality of life features, like the ability to turn off autoplay of videos in the eShop and new icons indicating whether a game is digital or physical. However, this also resulted in the aforementioned dock hiccups.
Switch 2 owners have reported that these docks either don’t work at all or are now much more temperamental, often requiring a reboot. This doesn’t seem to have affected all third-party docks, but complaints are coming in about many different products. YouTuber AustinJohnPlays tested two different Switch 2 dock dongles after the update and reported that both were broken.
Nintendo responded to these allegations, suggesting that it was an accident that only affected certain devices. The company wrote that it “has no intention of hindering or invalidating the legal compatibility of third-party docks.” Sometimes new console firmware impacts third-party accessories. At the very least, it’s something that happened to the original Switch several times.
The companies that make these accessories will need to make their own software updates to get things rolling again. In the meantime, be careful when purchasing a third-party docking station.
Updated, November 14, 2025, 12:55 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include Nintendo’s response and a probable cause of the problem.
