Nintendo Reminds People How a Switch Could Break

Although the Nintendo Switch can be played in handheld mode to become a portable console, it is an electronic device prone to damages that should be treated with care. Nintendo Support released a public reminder of what not to do in order to prolong the life of your Nintendo Switch console and not break it on the company’s Japanese website.

Below is a list of what not to do in order to keep your Nintendo Switch from being damaged, collected from previous cases:

• Internal damage to the system by dropping it on the ground or against a hard surface (examples: buttons and/or sticks malfunction, touch screen damage)
• Accidentally sitting on the console on a sofa or chair (please put the Nintendo Switch away properly after use)
• Putting the Nintendo Switch in a full bag without a protective case (even if you use a case, leaning on the backpack may damage the console)
• Forcibly plugging the wrong cable into the console (causes damage to the charging port)
• Forcibly inserting or removing a Joy-Con from the console (always be sure to press the removal button on the back of the Joy-Con before removing)
• Rapid temperature changes between hot and cold (condensation may occur – if this happens, place the console in a warm room until it dissipates)
• Prolonged time without charging the console (battery may become damaged if the Nintendo Switch is not charged at least once every six months)
• Water/humidity damage (Spilled water in a bag or in your room can cause both internal and external damage)
• Using the console with wet hands (dry your hands thoroughly before use to avoid water damage)
• Touching the pins of a game cartridge can render the software unplayable
• Pet damage (keep the Nintendo Switch out of reach from animals)
• Inserting foreign objects into the game card slot (avoid using cotton swabs to clean inside of the slot)
• Damage to surroundings (always wear a wrist strap when using the Joy-Con’s motion controls)

Even if your Nintendo Switch console appears to be intact, there could still be internal damage if the console has undergone any of these traumas, so a break might not be visible.

The Nintendo Switch console is available now at video game retailers.