Back of switch heating up in one spot

[Tiffany]

I play my switch almost always in hand held mode so my hands are touching the back of the switch. I have noticed sometimes where the little kick stand is it gets hot, no where else just that spot. I don't use the kick stand thing I always hold it. I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if it's something I need to be concerned about? It doesn't get like burning hot but you can feel it's much warmer than the rest of switch. Thanks

 

[Firesquids]

There's vents near the bottom of the switch on the back, if they're dusty you could try using some canned air to clean them out.
Otherwise not sure why one specific spot would be getting hot, but I rarely play in handheld mode.

 

[Belle T]

I'm presuming since you posted this in the ACNL forum that this is happening in New Horizons? If so, I don't think it's normal, but I'm not an expert. If it's happening in other apps, then it might just be a problem with that specific app. I would echo Firesquids' post that it's a good idea to try blowing compressed air into the vents first to see if you can dislodge any dust from the internals. If that doesn't stop it, you may want to have a go at contacting Nintendo support.

From what I understand, the Switch's thermal regulation is rather poor, so some games will run hotter than others. If it's warm but not hot then it's probably nothing to immediately worry about. But if it's something that's only recently started happening, it is something to keep on the look out for. Thankfully, the Switch does have some built in thermal protection, so it will shut down if the internals exceed a certain temperature in order to protect your save data and critical internal components. But if that starts happening, definitely give Nintendo a ring if you can.

 

[Corrie]

If it makes you feel better, my Switch does this as well in the same spot as yours. It'll do it typically with ACNH but other games do it too. If I play handheld with it plugged in it's even worse. Mine is an original model as a reference.

I have no idea if it's normal but just letting you know that you're not alone in it.

 

[-Blue-]

Of all the games I own, New Horizon is the only one that has my Switch constantly venting hot air. So it's not an uncommon thing. I always play on the tv so it's usually never handheld. I'm sure the backside of my Switch gets hot to. Some products are designed in a way that that happens. I have a laptop that always gets hot on the underneath. So it's no comfortable having it on my lap.