Important
- While Nintendo provides this information for our consumers' use, it is up to each consumer to determine what security needs they have for their own networks, and to decide how best to configure their network settings to meet those needs.
- The following steps are general steps that apply to most routers. If you need specific instructions for your router, please contact the manufacturer of the router for further assistance.
Complete these steps
Perform the following steps to assign a static IP address to your Nintendo Switch console.
On a PC or smart device
- Using a device on your network (PC, laptop, smart device, etc.), locate the following network information:
- IP Address
- Subnet Mask
- Gateway
On the Nintendo Switch console
- From the Advanced Settings page of your network connection's settings, select IP Address Settings.
- Select Manual.
- Select IP Address and then hold down the B Button to delete the existing IP address (it defaults to zeros).
- Enter the IP address you found on the network device, but add 20 to the last section of digits, and then select OK.
- As an example, if your computer's IP address displays as 192.168.2.5, enter 192.168.2.25 on the Nintendo Switch.
Important: Every device on a network must have a different, unique IP address. If the connection test fails with the IP address that you entered, try a different IP address by adding 30, 40, and so on to the last section of digits.
- As an example, if your computer's IP address displays as 192.168.2.5, enter 192.168.2.25 on the Nintendo Switch.
- Select Subnet Mask, and then press the B Button to delete the existing subnet mask.
- Enter in the subnet mask as it appears in your network settings, and then select OK.
- For most networks, the subnet mask is 255.255.255.000.
- Select Gateway, and then press the B Button to delete the existing gateway.
- Enter in the default gateway as it appears in your network settings, and then select OK.
On a PC or smart device
- Access your router's settings.
- Locate the Port Forwarding settings. While the location will vary from router to router, it will typically be located in an area titled firewall, virtual server, security, or applications and gaming.
- When asked for an application name, you can enter any word (Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- Within the port range, enter the starting port and the ending port to forward. For the Nintendo Switch console, this is port 1024 through 65535.
- Set the protocol as UDP.
- Enter the IP address you assigned to the console.
- Check Enable or Apply to turn on this rule.
- Save the changes to the router.
Greetings, I'm an enthusiast well-versed in networking and security, with a demonstrable depth of knowledge in configuring devices for optimal performance. I've worked extensively on various network setups, including gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch. Now, let's delve into the provided information and break down the key concepts.
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Static IP Address Assignment:
- The concept of assigning a static IP address to a device involves manually configuring a specific IP address, subnet mask, and gateway for that device. This ensures that the device always uses the same IP address on the network.
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IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Gateway:
- The IP address is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network. It's crucial for communication between devices.
- Subnet mask defines the network's boundaries and separates the network portion from the host portion of the IP address.
- Gateway serves as an entry and exit point for network traffic, typically representing the router's IP address.
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Nintendo Switch Configuration:
- Nintendo Switch provides an Advanced Settings page for network connections where users can manually configure IP address settings.
- Users are instructed to enter specific network information obtained from a PC or smart device, with a unique twist of adding 20 to the last section of digits in the IP address.
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Port Forwarding:
- Port forwarding is a technique that allows external devices to connect to a specific device or service within a private local area network (LAN).
- The provided steps guide users through configuring port forwarding on their router for the Nintendo Switch.
- The user needs to access the router settings and locate the Port Forwarding section, usually found under firewall, virtual server, security, or applications and gaming.
- Users are instructed to enter a designated application name (e.g., "Nintendo Switch") and specify the port range (1024 through 65535) with the UDP protocol.
- The configured static IP address assigned to the Nintendo Switch must be entered, and the user is prompted to enable or apply the rule.
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Router Configuration:
- Users are guided on accessing their router's settings and locating the Port Forwarding section.
- The specific location of these settings may vary but is commonly found under firewall, virtual server, security, or applications and gaming.
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Important Note:
- Nintendo emphasizes that while they provide general information, consumers are responsible for determining their security needs and configuring their network settings accordingly.
- If users encounter issues or need specific instructions for their router, they are advised to contact the router manufacturer for assistance.
In conclusion, this information serves as a comprehensive guide for Nintendo Switch users to manually configure network settings, ensuring a stable and optimized gaming experience.
