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Many gamers believed putting the Nintendo Switch 2 into sleep mode would stop most activity and let it cool off, similar to how a laptop or phone rests.
But real-world use is painting a different picture. Many owners find that their Switch 2 stays warm even when in standby, especially when docked or carried in bags.
The explanation is more complicated than expected, involving ignored settings, network traffic, and how the console behaves in confined or insulated places.
Is It Because of the Wired Connection?
A key reason is that the setting maintains the wired internet connection even when the system is in sleep mode.
This feature allows the console to stay connected to Nintendo servers to download updates or new games, even when it is not in use. Although practical, enabling this mode may cause the system to use more electricity than needed in sleep mode.
As a result, the console may continue operating at low intensity for hours, which raises its internal temperature.
Some users noticed that with this setting enabled, their Switch 2 stayed around 36°C (about 97–98°F) long after entering standby, even with no game running.
That’s not enough to damage components, but it’s much warmer than expected for a sleeping device.
Is Carrying the Console While It Sleeps a Bad Idea?
Adding to the problem, players who carry their consoles around while asleep may unknowingly trigger it to wake.
The Switch 2’s power and volume buttons can be pressed from outside if the system is placed in a soft case, backpack, or tightly packed travel pouch.
This accidental trigger can cause the console to wake without notice, keeping it active inside a restricted area.
A few users even discovered their fans running or their consoles shutting down entirely from heat after only 30 minutes inside a bag.
In several cases, they had also disabled auto-sleep, meaning the system never went back to standby at all.
How Does Being Docked Impact Sleep Mode?
Using a LAN cable while the console is docked often causes it to remain partially active overnight, as wired connections are stable for downloads and gaming.
However, with active LAN enabled during sleep mode, the system doesn’t fully power down.
The thermal test revealed the Switch 2 stayed warm throughout 20+ hours docked and cooled only after disabling the setting.
While Nintendo has listed power draw as a drawback of this feature, they haven’t clearly communicated that it could also affect system temperature, leading many to miss this simple fix.
What’s the Best Way to Prevent Heat During Sleep Mode?
The best solution is to disable the wired connection during sleep.
You can do this by going to the System Settings, navigating to the Sleep Mode tab, and toggling off the “Keep Wired Connection Active” option.
When using only Wi-Fi, you can enable Airplane Mode during idle times; however, this option isn’t available when the device is docked.
It's also a good idea to power off the console completely before packing it up or traveling with it.
Holding the power button for a few seconds will give you access to the shutdown option, which isn't immediately visible from the main menu.
Should I Be Worried About Damage or Battery Drain?
To keep your system cool and avoid surprises, avoid placing it in tight soft bags unless it’s turned off.
If you’re using a carrying case, make sure it’s rigid enough to avoid accidental button presses.
And if you're keeping it docked most of the time, double-check that your settings aren’t keeping the system more awake than it needs to be.
While these temperature levels aren't likely to break the console outright, the added strain over time could affect battery life or cause more frequent shutdowns when things heat up.
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