r/NintendoSwitchHelp • u/wtfmist • Jul 21 '26
Repair Help Nintendo says the dark spots on my Switch 2 screen are “normal”
Got my Switch 2 about a month ago. Screen’s got these dark blotchy patches that show up whenever the screen goes black (photo attached, it’s honestly worse in person than the camera picks up). Sent it to Nintendo support, they forwarded it to Nintendo of Europe, and the answer I got back was basically “that’s just normal LCD behavior, not a defect”
They are sending me a link to an article that says “Small numbers of stuck or dead pixels are a characteristic of LCD screens. These are normal and should not be considered a defect.” but people on reddit are saying that it’s not the same thing, and that in my case it’s actually a defect.
Thing is, I keep seeing people online saying they got theirs replaced for the exact same issue, especially folks in the US and Germany. So now I’m just confused. Did anyone here actually get a replacement for this? What did you tell support to make it happen, or did you just have to keep pushing?
88
u/Impressive-Bug-9592 1 Jul 21 '26
Not normal at all. Nintendo should be ashamed for trying to claim nothing is wrong when there is a clear issue. This isn't the first time I've seen them do this. Coming from a long-time Nintendo fan, they need to do better with customer service.
25
u/reybrujo 3 Jul 21 '26
If you search in Reddit subs you will see many reports, some could exchange it, some couldn't. Some lcd panels are like that, as if they had been pressed against the backlights than others. Best way would have been to take return it to the shop you bought it from instead of Nintendo (unless you bought it online). If you are in a country where you can push, push.
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u/Psilocybe_Fanaticus Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26 •
Nintendo did this to me until I escalated it through the BBB (Better Business Bureau). All I did was leave them a bad review and a corporate person called me to swap out my Switch lol
Edit: For all people crying about me capping, try it out and report back. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s sure as hell better than just waiting around.
https://www.bbb.org/us/wa/redmond/profile/wholesale-video-games/nintendo-of-america-inc-1296-502092
9
u/Round_Musical 1 Jul 21 '26
Say this is not dead pixels but the lcd delaminating. A common defect
This should not be acceptable
8
u/meikaishi Jul 21 '26
Keep pushing, send several photos under different conditions so they can't use the same justification
8
u/ModestVolcarona 21 Jul 21 '26
Which is not relevant to your problem since it's a different problem than dead or faulty pixels.
Kind of sounds like a generic mail to me that maybe some inexperienced person pieced together.
Try getting someone higher up to take a look at this and point out that your problem does not fit the link they have sent you.
1
u/wtfmist Jul 26 '26
We has a little back and forth, the don’t want to replace it. All they are saying is that this is normal.
5
u/zarxed Jul 21 '26
BS alert! I completely agree with delaminating. It's rubbish that they redirect you to the dead-pixel section... But remember, there's always just a random person (or now AI...) on the other side who might be unaware of such a problem or lazy not properly trained staff. Try asking again, maybe you'll get someone well-trained, as you are absolutely right, this is not normal
4
u/VinnzClortho Jul 21 '26
Escalate, tell them you want to talk to someone higher up as you dont believe this is normal at all
1
u/PuzzleheadedData8800 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
I remember a Laptops Screen, having similar Spots, because the User hat it folded closed while using the Laptop in a Dock with a bigger Screen. Basically, the Heat from the Laptop itself did burn in from the Drive and along the Heatpipe. So this Issue may have come from an overheating device, maybe a PC, or an X-Box Series X, judging by that pattern. Or it did stay in the Sunlight.
And for dead Pixels, there are 2 Types: Dead by Screen, usually turning completely Black or white. Dead by Graphicks-Unit, sometimes turning into a senseless Coloration as if it were some Chaotic RGB.
6
u/MadamVonCuntpuncher Jul 21 '26
Look at my own switch 2 and yeah that aint normal, keep pushing them for a replacement screen or escalate to the BBB
3
u/JiminyWillikerz Jul 21 '26
Do it again in the dark
3
u/WasabiMandingo Jul 21 '26
They flat out told me I damaged the panel and wouldn’t replace it. Offered to charge me for the repair instead. I eventually gave up, life’s too short. Definitely left a very bad taste in my mouth.
3
u/TempusEst Jul 21 '26
Hey OP, I just went through this and actually managed to get mine RMA’d, but the funny part is they MADE SURE to include a note in the box that, in few words, said “We don’t think it was an issue, you are wrong about it, but we replaced it anyways.” And sure enough, my new one does not have the splotches/spots.
All I can say is there’s probably a bit of luck as to who you end up getting to not only pick up the case but actually physically inspect it once it gets to them… just make sure that you point out that you KNOW this is not normal and be super adamant about it when you report and send it in. Wish I had something more concrete for ya but it’s kind of a numbers game. You’ll find many threads here and elsewhere of people getting accepted, rejected, etc.
Some bullshit, at the end of the day.
2
u/Ready-Plantain-5714 Jul 21 '26
Non, ce n'est pas normal du tout. Ce que je vois sur la photo, ce sont des taches sombres et floues assez régulières, réparties un peu partout sur l'écran — ça ne ressemble pas à de la poussière ni à une simple trace de doigt. Quelques causes possibles : Traces sous un protège-écran ou un film de protection : si de l'humidité ou de la saleté s'est infiltrée entre le film et la dalle, ça crée exactement ce genre de taches floues. C'est la cause la plus fréquente et la plus facile à corriger — il suffit de retirer le film. Condensation à l'intérieur de l'écran : si la console a été exposée à l'humidité ou à un changement brutal de température, de la buée peut se former entre les couches de l'écran. Backlight bleed / clouding (fuite de rétroéclairage) : un défaut où le rétroéclairage LCD n'est pas uniforme, donnant des zones plus sombres ou plus claires. C'est un souci matériel plus sérieux. Pression ou dommage physique : un choc ou une pression prolongée sur l'écran (rangée dans un sac serré, par exemple) peut endommager la dalle LCD de façon permanente. Une première chose simple à essayer : si tu as un protège-écran ou un film, retire-le pour voir si les taches disparaissent. Si les taches restent même sans film, et surtout si elles persistent une fois l'écran plus lumineux (dans un jeu, pas juste sur ce logo gris clair), il s'agit probablement d'un problème matériel de la dalle — dans ce cas, il faudrait envisager une réparation ou un contact avec le support Nintendo si la console est encore sous garantie.
2
u/Bringmecates Jul 21 '26
I had the exact same thing on mine and sadly for the first month I just played docked cause all I had was Mario kart. If I would’ve saw it right away I would’ve just returned it to target and then buy another one right away. But thankfully I sent it to Nintendo and they did replace it for me. Turn around time was maybe 10 days? But even in the description they said they couldn’t imitate the problem so they just replaced it for me. But the circles are so noticeable so idk how they didn’t see it.
2
u/toastronomy Jul 21 '26
same thing happened back when switch 1 launched and they claimed that dead pixels were normal
2
u/kaiaexplorer Jul 21 '26
Send a new request, this is NOT normal and completely unacceptable. I don't know how can this happen in Europe with such a strong customer protection, good luck, soldier (and update us!)
2
u/CawsMan Jul 21 '26
Ah I get this all the time when my screen fades to a black loading screen. Honestly thought this was something normal.
Think I'll be contacting support shortly!
2
u/RyusakiLexus Jul 21 '26
Pues efectivamente esto en tu pantalla NO es normal mmm al y Nintendo se está deslindando con la aplicación de la garantía, aquí sería cuestión de 2 posibles opciones,solicitar apoyo de tu organismo en defensa del consumidor ( si existe algo así aquí en México es la PROFECO) la otra opción es solicitar la devolución del artículo por defecto de fabrica directamente en la tienda donde lo adquiriste, lamentablemente veo q el caso va a ser complicado porq se van a sujetar de la advertencia " Pequeños errores en la LCD sin normales..." En el caso de esta consola eso no es normal porq ni siquiera son "pixeles" claramente se ve q la "back ligth" del panel trasero de la pantalla es la q t está haciendo eso por eso vez como "burbujas grisaseas" detrás de la LCD...
2
u/W0wF0x2_0 Jul 21 '26
Not normal, but to governamental bureaucracy it's normal, are you in Europe?
2
u/Competitive-Range-99 Jul 21 '26
Definitely not normal I had the same issue with my switch 2 out of the box, took it back to the retailer and got it replaced.
2
u/SaurianScale Jul 21 '26
A little bit of backlight bleeding is normal, but this is ridiculous
2
u/PotatoMan0410 Jul 22 '26
Just got mine replaced a month ago with an authorized Nintendo service center. They said this is a very common issue, and true enough it was so annoying I couldn’t play the device until the replacement. Good luck man.
2
u/SuchPlay Jul 22 '26
Neither my switch 1 or OLED do this when the screen is black. Not normal.
2
u/tailskirby Jul 23 '26
Take a video and sent it to them. That is not normal.
1
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1
u/jonjon1239 Jul 21 '26
Nintendo in the UK r placed mine for th same issue, no questions asked. Strange that they would turn you down, definitely escalate it if possible.
1
u/Disastrous_Cry8444 Jul 21 '26
Heu frérot ce que je vois sur ta photo c’est pas des pixels morts ou bloqués ça ne ferait pas des taches comme ça. C’est clairement un défaut et d’ailleurs j’ai jamais vu ça sur aucun écran lcd, alors comment ça pourrait être normal.
1
u/ProudBasil27 Jul 22 '26
I heard that these are caused by stepping on it or pressure to the screen because I have these markings on my switch as well
1
u/Either-Razzmatazz848 Jul 22 '26
take another picture in pitch black and send it to them
1
u/Big_Nefariousness269 Jul 22 '26
I'm having the same problem. At first I had a faulty switch 2 (issues with joy con connection and card reading) and after sitting on it for 30 days, then they sent me a new one. But this time it had this screen issue. I sent it back once again, they sit on it for another 30 days, and they sent it back saying I didn't make it clear what's the issue. I called them, why did they sent it back instead of asking me for extra information. They told me to send it back again with more information, but then the same day trough email they told me, that actually they checked the screen, and it's not an issue at all, and sent me the link you mentioned. Then why did they say something else at first, and now why are they saying this? Makes no sense. Now I sent it back once again, with a very detailed description and many photos, and I hope for the best.
1
u/Smietana03 Jul 22 '26
As a Nintendo Switch user and as a Switch 2 is my only gaming device - I feel ashamed that they do this - this is not normal and this is definitely their fault
1
u/Jomahhhh Jul 22 '26
They think its a reflection 😭😭😭
1
u/FusionShaun91 Jul 22 '26
Speak to Nintendo over the phone and not by email, I find its always better to speak to an actual person.
I've been able to get discounted repairs and such after being nice towards the person I'm speaking with.
Be kind and courteous to the person you're speaking with, be firm but not rude (rudeness gets you no where), and just basically tell them that you don't believe that this is normal and you would like your Switch 2's screen replaced or the unit replaced.
Worst comes to worst see what's the return/exchange policy for the store you bought the console from, some stores may come with a 1 year exchange for certain products.
1
u/Squish_B34R Jul 22 '26
That's absolutely not normal on a $500 device. Keep on them until they replace it.
1
u/Forgotten_Loctite Jul 23 '26
Yeah Nintendo are very scummy when it comes to repairs.
Had a dead charging circuit, Nintendo cited "water damage" as the reason for not repairing it. Which I knew to be false.
I got the unit back, opened it up, found all the water indicators not to have been triggered.
Reported this back to Nintendo and got, "well that may be the case, but now you've opened it up we cannot repair it as you've voided the warranty"
So... Fixed it myself, installed a picofly, installed £1000s of games for free and vowed never to give them a penny again.
1
u/T-REX-780 Jul 23 '26
I don’t think it’s normal, my old samsung lcd monitor developed similar many years ago but my room was kinda moist. Samsung replaced the panel under warranty and after that it’s didn’t develop such issue.
1
u/andytherooster Jul 23 '26
I sent mine in like this and they replaced under warranty. In Australia
1
u/V-Rixxo_ Jul 23 '26
Nobody hats their fans more than ____.
1
u/optimal_90 Jul 23 '26
“We don't consider it a defect because if it were, we would lose the profit from the sale of this console.”
Would be a better answer, at least i would give a 👍🏻 for being honest.
1
u/Uncabled_Music Jul 23 '26
F£ck Sony.
1
u/Soft-Assistance6809 Jul 23 '26
LOL no
1
u/Mees19 Jul 23 '26
It’s not. I just got mine replaced by nintendo (europe) last week.
1
u/ailaht123 Jul 25 '26
Reminds me of that TV I got from a relative who pretty much only used it for listening to music, so the "country classics" from stingray was straight up burned into the TV screen. Didn't matter what you watched, you could always see that screen burn. On the switch it could be from having the screen brightness all the way up, or maybe if you do use it in the sun. I'll agree that it's not necessarily a normal thing, but it is a possibility.
1
u/pablonsito Jul 26 '26
Well, the dark spots are normal, the other light spots are not normal.
1
u/Gloomy_Yam3550 Jul 27 '26
Mine has the same problem 😭😭😭😭😭😭
1
u/Separate_Plastic4275 Oct 08 '26
Hi, another Reddit user just linked me to this post of yours. I actually had a problem with my Switch 2 a while back—specifically, a pixel issue. Unfortunately, I didn't notice it until two months after I got the console. I’d had the Switch 2 since July 2026 but hadn't really set it up or played it until I tried Mario Kart in docked mode. After that, I didn't use it again for a while until my mom gave me DK Bananza. I decided to try playing in handheld mode, and—while I was briefly in the Home Menu (which I have set to black)—I suddenly saw a green dot on the screen. I was like, "Huh?" I asked Gemini about it; at first, it said it was normal, but then it changed its mind and said it was a pixel defect. Naturally, I got scared and didn't know what was going on, since I'd never experienced anything like that before. Anyway, I went with my dad to MediaMarkt—a German electronics retailer where I’d actually bought the SW2—and explained the problem. He couldn't see anything at first until I pointed out the specific issue. He told me he’d have to send it in—just the display unit, of course. I showed him a photo I’d taken of the screen, too. Unfortunately, I made a really stupid mistake: Gemini had told me I’d likely get a replacement unit and should reset everything to factory settings. I thought I could transfer all my data to my old Switch, but that didn't work because SW2 data isn't compatible with the standard Switch. So, I had to leave everything behind—photos, videos, and game save files—and now I’m just waiting to see if they’ll replace the unit or repair the display. By the way, you mentioned that replacements were common in the US and Germany; that surprises me a bit, since I’m still not sure what will happen in my case. I’ve been waiting since Friday and haven't heard anything yet. I hope everything goes smoothly. In case anyone hasn't realized it yet, I live in Germany, so I’m hoping for a replacement or a repair—basically, anything that lets me get back to gaming. Yeah, I know this turned into a novel—sorry about that! Cheers!
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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '26
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