To make Nintendo Switch downloads faster, the most effective tweaks are changing the MTU setting to 1500 and switching to a public DNS server. These two adjustments, combined with optimizing your Wi-Fi connection, can significantly improve download speeds without any additional hardware, and you can apply similar network optimizations to make games download faster on PC.
Change the MTU setting to 1500
Adjusting the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) on your Nintendo Switch can potentially boost your download speeds by allowing larger data packets to be sent in a single transmission. The default MTU value is 1400, but increasing it to 1500 can improve efficiency.
- From the Home menu, go to System Settings.
- Select Internet, then Internet Settings.
- Choose your currently connected network.
- Select Change Settings.
- Scroll to MTU and change the value from 1400 to 1500.
- Save the changes and test your connection.
Switch to a public DNS server
Using a public DNS server like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS can provide faster and more reliable connections to game servers, which may improve download speeds. The Switch's automatic DNS settings can sometimes be slower or less stable.
- Navigate to System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings.
- Select your network and choose Change Settings.
- Scroll to DNS Settings and change it from Automatic to Manual.
- For Google DNS, enter Primary: 8.8.8.8 and Secondary: 8.8.4.4.
- For Cloudflare DNS, enter Primary: 1.1.1.1 and Secondary: 1.0.0.1.
- Save the settings and restart your connection.
Ensure you have enough storage space
Insufficient storage space on your console's internal memory or microSD card can prevent downloads from starting or cause them to slow down significantly. Before downloading a large game, check your available space in System Settings under Data Management. If space is low, delete unused software or archive games you no longer play to free up room.
Use a wired Ethernet connection
A wired connection offers maximum stability and speed by eliminating Wi-Fi interference and signal loss. The Nintendo Switch dock includes a LAN port for this purpose. Simply connect an Ethernet cable from your router to the dock, then go to System Settings > Internet and select Wired Connection. This is the most reliable method for consistent download performance.
Optimize your Wi-Fi connection
If a wired connection isn't possible, optimizing your Wi-Fi is essential. Place your router in a central, elevated location away from walls and obstructions. Reduce interference by keeping it away from cordless phones, microwaves, and other electronics. Disconnect bandwidth-heavy devices like streaming boxes or computers during downloads, and move your Switch closer to the router to strengthen the signal.
Put your Switch in sleep mode while downloading
When your console is in sleep mode, it prioritizes network resources for downloads rather than running foreground processes. Start your download, press the Home button, then hold the power button and select Sleep. The download will continue in the background, often at faster speeds because the system isn't diverting power to other tasks.
Pause other downloads and close software
Multiple active downloads and running software can split your bandwidth, slowing each individual download. From the Home menu, select the Downloads icon and pause any other downloads or updates. Also, ensure no game software is running in the background by closing applications from the Home menu. This frees up bandwidth for your priority download.
Check and restart your internet connection
Basic troubleshooting can resolve many connectivity issues. After they fully restart, run a connection test on your Switch by going to System Settings > Internet > Test Connection. This verifies that your console is communicating properly with the network.
Power cycle your Nintendo Switch
A full restart clears temporary system glitches that can affect network performance. Hold the power button on the console, select Power Options, then choose Restart. Allow the system to fully reboot before testing download speeds again. This simple step often resolves hidden software conflicts.
Update your Nintendo Switch system software
System updates frequently include stability and performance improvements that can enhance download speeds. Go to System Settings > System > System Update to check for available updates. If one is found, follow the on-screen prompts to install it while keeping the console connected to power. After updating, test your download speed again.
Bonus tip for Nintendo Switch 2: disable IPv6
For Nintendo Switch 2 users, disabling the IPv6 Connection setting has been reported to improve download speeds for some. To do this, go to System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings, select your network, choose Change Settings, then scroll to IPv6 Connection and set it to Disable. This may resolve compatibility issues with certain networks.
If you're still experiencing slow downloads after these steps, remember that your overall internet plan matters too, and knowing what is a good internet speed to upload & download files helps set realistic expectations. For context, similar optimizations can also help you make PlayStation download faster on other consoles.
