Nintendo pushed out system firmware 21.0.0 for Switch 2 on November 10, delivering several quality-of-life improvements that gamers have demanded since launch. The headline feature kills the most infuriating aspect of Switch 2’s eShop – those autoplaying video thumbnails that start blaring gameplay footage the moment you scroll past a game listing.
Finally, you can browse the digital storefront in peace without muting your TV every five seconds or enduring unwanted audio blasts during late-night shopping sessions. buried deeper in the settings, GameChat users get a fix for active voice sessions putting games to sleep mid-conversation – a frustration for multiplayer groups coordinating raids or competitive matches.
The patch notes also confirm several under-the-hood improvements including HOME Menu icons that distinguish physical cartridge games from digital purchases at a glance, Virtual Game Card downloads accessible through the Notifications menu even when “Use Online License” sits disabled, and System Transfer options letting you skip redownloading software or transferring album data when migrating from original Switch libraries.
Third-Party Dock Owners Hit Hardest
However, the update delivered an unlisted gut punch to thousands of Switch 2 owners relying on secondary docks for multi-room gaming. Reports flooded Reddit and Nintendo forums starting hours after deployment, with users discovering their third-party docks suddenly refused HDMI video output despite delivering power normally.
“Can confirm my 2nd (3rd party) dock in our living room just stopped working right after today’s update. A full power cycle did not fix it,” one user posted alongside dozens of identical experiences. Another described the exact failure sequence: “Launched a game, update alert, update, cable’s borked.”
The timing proves too precise for coincidence. Users report docks working perfectly during gameplay, triggering the mandatory update prompt, completing installation, then immediately losing video signal while USB-C charging continues uninterrupted. Official Nintendo docks recover normally after full power cycles, confirming the issue targets unlicensed accessories specifically.
Why Third-Party Docks Matter
Secondary docks solve real Switch 2 ownership problems. Gamers maintain bedroom and living room setups without constantly undocking/re-docking the handheld between locations. Travel users pack lighter alternatives to Nintendo’s bulky $124.99 official dock. Multiplayer households share the single console across TVs without setup hassles.
Switch 2’s dock protocol goes beyond simple HDMI passthrough, requiring proprietary power negotiation and encrypted handshakes that third-party manufacturers reverse-engineer through exhaustive testing. Firmware 21.0.0 appears to have altered this communication, silently breaking compatibility across multiple brands without patch note mention or consumer warning.
Accessory Makers Fight Back
Dock manufacturers responded rapidly. Jemdo released USB firmware updaters within 48 hours, requiring users to download fix files to microSD cards then apply through the dock’s service mode. Other brands followed with similar patches, though non-Jemdo owners risk bricking incompatible units attempting recovery.
Nintendo issued a carefully worded statement claiming “no intention of blocking third-party accessories” while acknowledging lack of testing beyond official products. The company recommends official docks for guaranteed firmware compatibility, effectively confirming third-party risk moving forward.
