Nintendo Switch bricked over third-party docks after 5.0 update

OEMs probably love news like this, whether or not the sudden influx of RMAs and repair requests flood their channels. It is, after all, an opportunity to warn consumers about the dangers of buying alternative and often more affordable third-party accessories. The latest Nintendo Switch firmware 5.0 update brought a lot of goodies to all Switch owners, but a subset of such users are instead finding themselves in living hell. These users have mostly lost their saved games and have to bring in their Switch for repairs or replacement after third-party docks not only stopped working but also bricked their handheld consoles.

There will always be a market for third-party accessories, especially when first-party accessories are priced too high for buyers' tastes. Not all accessory makers, however, exert the same amount of time and effort to ensure the quality of their products and the safety of their customers. But while the likes of Nyko have a positive reputation, that doesn't mean Nintendo wholeheartedly approves of their business.

The Japanese gaming giant may have, inadvertently or otherwise, stumbled upon a way to make that clear. After the latest firmware update, some users have reported errors when docking their Switch consoles onto these third-party accessories. Errors, unfortunately, turned into bricked devices and, more tragically, irretrievably lost data.

Both Nintendo and Nyko, among other accessory makers, are aware of the reports and are investigating the matter. Nyko suspects that it may have something to do with a change in how the USB-C port behaves. That lone port is responsible for channeling both power and data and any misconfiguration along the way could lead to a practically useless piece of silicon and plastic.

While Nintendo will repair devices still covered by warranties, the data that was lost in the process can never be recovered. The company is also using the opportunity to advise consumers to only buy first-party accessories. Unfortunately, Nintendo isn't so enthusiastic about expanding its dock's capabilities or at least certifying third-party accessory makers.

VIA: Kotaku