Nintendo Tells Switch Users To Ignore Unsightly Dead Or Stuck Pixels
Nintendo has a message for Switch owners who notice dead or stuck pixels on their brand new hybrid consoles: ignore them. Same goes for dark or light patches on the screen. In a support page on the company's U.K. website, Nintendo states that these types of anomalies are typical of LCD panels, and that it would be wrong to consider any of them as defects. It's reminiscent of when Apple told iPhone 4 users they were holding their handsets wrong in response to reception issues.
At least with Apple, there was a suggested fix. Two of them, actually—hold the phone differently or purchase a case. Nintendo is offering no such remedy for Switch users who are observing unsightly distractions on their console's display.
Here is the full text from Nintendo:
This is not the first time Nintendo has taken a hard line stance against replacing mobile consoles with stuck pixels. When the Nintendo DS came out over a decade ago, Nintendo initially refused to replace handhelds that had one or two stuck or dead pixels. However, the company later relented and suggested that customers user the console for a few weeks to see if they can put up with the distraction, and if not, it would repair or replace the system under its one-year warranty.
Nintendo is not making any such concessions with the Switch, at least not yet. In lieu of that, one of the comments in a growing Reddit thread covering the issue sums up the likely backlash.
"That's your policy. My policy is, if I buy your thing and it has even one dead pixel, it's going right back to the store," said DerekStu.
The Switch has gotten off to a rocky start. In addition to screen issues, users have complained of connectivity problems with the included Joy-Con controllers. Nintendo suggested that users move their systems to an open space away from other wireless devices, and also avoid aquariums, as the wireless signal has trouble penetrating water.
At least with Apple, there was a suggested fix. Two of them, actually—hold the phone differently or purchase a case. Nintendo is offering no such remedy for Switch users who are observing unsightly distractions on their console's display.
Here is the full text from Nintendo:
Troubleshooting Complaint: Thee are black or bright dots on the Nintendo Switch screen that do not go away, or there are dark or light patches on the screen.Nintendo is technically correct that dead or stuck pixels are characteristic of LCD screens, though advances in LCD technology over the years have greatly reduced how often they occur. Calling them "normal" and insisting that pixels not operating as intended are not a defect is arguable at best.
Troubleshooting Answer: Small numbers of stuck or dead pixels are characteristic of LCD screens. These are normal and should not be considered a defect.
This is not the first time Nintendo has taken a hard line stance against replacing mobile consoles with stuck pixels. When the Nintendo DS came out over a decade ago, Nintendo initially refused to replace handhelds that had one or two stuck or dead pixels. However, the company later relented and suggested that customers user the console for a few weeks to see if they can put up with the distraction, and if not, it would repair or replace the system under its one-year warranty.
Nintendo is not making any such concessions with the Switch, at least not yet. In lieu of that, one of the comments in a growing Reddit thread covering the issue sums up the likely backlash.
"That's your policy. My policy is, if I buy your thing and it has even one dead pixel, it's going right back to the store," said DerekStu.
The Switch has gotten off to a rocky start. In addition to screen issues, users have complained of connectivity problems with the included Joy-Con controllers. Nintendo suggested that users move their systems to an open space away from other wireless devices, and also avoid aquariums, as the wireless signal has trouble penetrating water.
