Improving Console Performance
The Nintendo Switch is an incredibly versatile console, capable of transitioning from a living room television to a handheld device in a matter of seconds. Like any modern computer or smartphone, the Switch constantly downloads and stores temporary data in the background. Every time you open the Nintendo eShop to browse for new games, link your social media accounts, or receive a news update on the home screen, your console saves small fragments of data to its internal memory.
This temporary data is known as the cache. Its purpose is to make your console feel faster by saving images and information so they do not have to be downloaded again the next time you open an app. However, over months and years of heavy use, this cached data can become bloated or corrupted. When this happens, your Nintendo Switch might start behaving strangely. You may experience sluggish performance when navigating the home menu, error codes when trying to purchase a game in the eShop, or problems logging into your Nintendo account.
When these frustrating software glitches occur, the fastest and safest troubleshooting step is to clear the cache. This process forces the console to delete all its temporary files and download fresh, uncorrupted data directly from Nintendo’s servers.
What Does Clearing the Cache Actually Do?
Before proceeding, it is important to understand what you are actually deleting to avoid any anxiety about losing your games.
Clearing the cache on a Nintendo Switch will only delete:
- Saved passwords and login IDs for the Nintendo eShop and linked social media accounts (like X/Twitter).
- Browsing history and cookies from the console’s hidden web browser.
- Temporary images and text downloaded from the eShop or the News channel.
Clearing the cache will NOT delete:
- Your downloaded games or software updates.
- Your precious save data and game progress.
- Your screenshots and recorded video clips.
- Your Nintendo user profile or friend list.
You will not lose any progress, but you will need to re-enter your password the next time you open the eShop, so ensure you have your login credentials ready.
How to Clear the Cache on a Nintendo Switch
Nintendo has built a dedicated tool directly into the system settings to safely format the cache without affecting the rest of the console.
- Turn on your Nintendo Switch and navigate to the Home menu.
- Select the System Settings icon (the gear icon located in the bottom row of circles) and press the A button.
- In the left-hand sidebar, scroll all the way down to the very bottom and select System.
- Move over to the right-hand menu and scroll down to the bottom again. Select Formatting Options.
- Select Clear Cache.
- If you have multiple user profiles on your console, the system will ask you which user’s cache you want to clear. Select the user profile that is experiencing the glitches.
- A warning screen will appear, explaining that saved IDs and passwords will be deleted. Select Reset to confirm.
The process will only take a few seconds. Once it is complete, press the Home button on your Joy-Con to return to the main menu. It is highly recommended to restart your console (hold the physical power button on the top of the tablet, select Power Options, and choose Restart) to ensure the system is completely refreshed and ready to use.
