Nintendo has stated it did not intend to hinder compatibility with legal third-party docks for the Switch 2 following firmware update 21.0.0, which has caused issues for some users. The update, released on November 11, 2025, reportedly rendered several third-party docks unusable, prompting complaints from owners. While some manufacturers have issued fixes, Nintendo emphasizes that the change was unintentional.
Update Overview
Firmware version 21.0.0 for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 launched on November 11, 2025, introducing quality-of-life improvements like symbols indicating physical or digital software. However, it has led to compatibility problems with third-party docks, with users reporting that their devices no longer transmit video signals or function properly after the patch.
User Reports and Impact
Switch 2 owners shared experiences on Reddit and forums, noting sudden failures post-update. One Reddit user wrote, "Can confirm my 2nd (3rd party) dock in our living room just stopped working as well right after today's update." Another mentioned, "I finally got around to ordering a dock cable for travel, it arrived today... update, cable's borked." Not all third-party docks are affected, and some users reported their devices still working. Manufacturers like Hagibis and Jemdo have released firmware updates for their products to restore compatibility.
Nintendo's Response
In a statement, Nintendo clarified: "Nintendo Switch 2 outputs audiovisuals once it detects that it is docked into a Nintendo Switch 2 Dock. Nintendo Switch does the same, outputting audiovisuals once it detects that it is docked into a Nintendo Switch Dock." The company added, "Nintendo does not have any intention to hinder or invalidate legal third-party dock compatibility." It remains unclear what qualifies as a "legal" dock. Nintendo has not indicated plans to address the issue directly, leaving fixes to third-party makers.
Context and Pricing
Third-party docks, priced from $20 to $50, offer portability and multi-location use, contrasting with Nintendo's official $125 USD dock bundle, which includes HDMI and USB-C cables plus an AC adapter. The Switch 2's restrictive USB-C port has made third-party development more challenging.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions between official hardware and aftermarket accessories, potentially affecting user convenience without Nintendo's intervention.