Nintendo’s newest firmware update for the Switch 2 (Version 21.0.0) may be causing problems for third-party docks, leading to reports of bricked accessories. While there’s no official confirmation from Nintendo yet, users on Reddit and YouTube are sharing accounts of their docks suddenly failing after installing the update.
So far, there’s no definitive pattern identifying which third-party models are affected, making the situation confusing for players who rely on these cheaper alternatives. What’s causing the bricking remains unclear. Some community members suspect that Nintendo modified how the console’s USB-C connection communicates with external docks—either intentionally or by mistake—during the software update.
The issue doesn’t appear to affect consoles that haven’t updated to Version 21.0.0, though staying on an older firmware isn’t a long-term fix. Nintendo typically requires users to update before accessing most online services, effectively forcing progression to the latest version. Interestingly, a few users have reported partial success after restarting their consoles several times, temporarily restoring dock functionality.
Why players use multiple docks
For some, needing more than one dock might sound excessive. But for Switch 2 owners, it’s often about convenience. Many players like moving their consoles between rooms or homes, or bringing a dock when traveling to easily play on hotel or friends’ TVs.
That convenience comes at a steep price: Nintendo’s official dock costs around $125, making it difficult to justify for those who only occasionally need a second one. This has created a thriving market for third-party docks, many priced around $30 or less—until now, at least.
A pattern of tighter control
This update controversy arrives as Nintendo faces criticism for increasingly strict control over its ecosystem. Recently, the company banned hundreds of Switch 2 consoles linked to MiG hacks—some tied to piracy, others reportedly not. Fans who see such moves as heavy-handed worry that breaking third-party docks might be another step toward locking down how users can interact with their own hardware.
If these reports hold true, Nintendo may find itself in the middle of another PR storm, especially with its more dedicated fanbase watching how the company handles third-party accessories this generation.
