While the latest firmware update for Switch and Switch 2 included several quality-of-life improvements, one consequence appears to be that many third-party docks have been rendered useless. According to Nintendo itself, such a consequence was unintentional.
In a statement, Nintendo spelled out the obvious, saying: "Nintendo Switch 2 outputs audiovisuals once it detects that it is docked into a Nintendo Switch 2 Dock. Nintendo Switch does the same, outputting audiovisuals once it detects that it is docked into a Nintendo Switch Dock."
More importantly, the company claimed that it "does not have any intention to hinder or invalidate legal third-party dock compatibility." It is unclear what Nintendo considers to be a "legal" dock.
When version 21.0.0 arrived on November 11, some Switch 2 owners took to Reddit and other forums to share their struggles with using third-party docks after the patch. Other users have noted that their docks remain functional, and manufacturers such as Hagibis and Jemdo have since deployed firmware updates to their docks to ensure compatibility with the latest Switch patch.
Regardless of Nintendo's intention, the sample size of users who experienced issues with their third-party docks certainly demonstrates that the latest Switch firmware update had some sort of impact on compatibility. Based on Nintendo's statement, it doesn't appear that the company is eager to remedy the situation, and it may fall on the dock makers themselves to push out their own fixes.
Switch owners may own a third-party dock for various reasons, including the desire to have docks in multiple locations within their home or for portability. Unfortunately for third-party hardware makers, Nintendo made the Switch 2's USB-C port a lot more restrictive and harder to work with.
Many third-party Switch 2 docks found online range from $20 to $50. In comparison, Nintendo's official Switch 2 dock set, which include the official dock, an ultra-high-speed HDMI cable, a USB-C cable, and an AC adapter, costs $125 USD.
Source
In a statement, Nintendo spelled out the obvious, saying: "Nintendo Switch 2 outputs audiovisuals once it detects that it is docked into a Nintendo Switch 2 Dock. Nintendo Switch does the same, outputting audiovisuals once it detects that it is docked into a Nintendo Switch Dock."
More importantly, the company claimed that it "does not have any intention to hinder or invalidate legal third-party dock compatibility." It is unclear what Nintendo considers to be a "legal" dock.
When version 21.0.0 arrived on November 11, some Switch 2 owners took to Reddit and other forums to share their struggles with using third-party docks after the patch. Other users have noted that their docks remain functional, and manufacturers such as Hagibis and Jemdo have since deployed firmware updates to their docks to ensure compatibility with the latest Switch patch.
Regardless of Nintendo's intention, the sample size of users who experienced issues with their third-party docks certainly demonstrates that the latest Switch firmware update had some sort of impact on compatibility. Based on Nintendo's statement, it doesn't appear that the company is eager to remedy the situation, and it may fall on the dock makers themselves to push out their own fixes.
Switch owners may own a third-party dock for various reasons, including the desire to have docks in multiple locations within their home or for portability. Unfortunately for third-party hardware makers, Nintendo made the Switch 2's USB-C port a lot more restrictive and harder to work with.
Many third-party Switch 2 docks found online range from $20 to $50. In comparison, Nintendo's official Switch 2 dock set, which include the official dock, an ultra-high-speed HDMI cable, a USB-C cable, and an AC adapter, costs $125 USD.
Source