Nintendo Switch Frame Rate Problems Caused By Automatic Wi-Fi Feature

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” for the Nintendo Switch has received stellar reviews left and right, but the console has been having some frame rate issues. It has now been discovered that the problem might in fact be caused by the Switch’s Wi-Fi feature.

The Nintendo Switch periodically scans for new Wi-Fi signals. Because of this, it puts additional strain to the Switch’s processor, according to Game Rant. This explains why games running on the console would suddenly drop its frame rate.

A Switch user and a third-party developer have provided evidence that this Wi-Fi feature is causing the frame rate problems, as reported by Nintendo Life. The process of scanning new Wi-Fi signals is actually supposed to be done in the background without the user even noticing.

Now it’s made clear that’s not the case in actual gameplay. Since this feature functions in the background, that also explains why frame rate drops only occur randomly. For users experiencing this problem, there’s nothing wrong with their copy of “Breath of the Wild” or any other game.

There’s already an easy fix for this issue, and gamers on the Nintendo Switch won’t have to wait for a firmware update. Users can simply turn of the Wi-Fi Auto Connect option under the System Settings. Another solution is by turning on Flight Mode, but this will not work when the console is docked and in TV mode.

Although Nintendo Switch gamers can fix the issue for themselves, it looks like Nintendo will be providing a more permanent solution. An anonymous developer says that Nintendo is actually working on a firmware update that will include a fix, according to VG24/7.

If Nintendo truly delivers on this firmware update, users won’t have to enable Flight Mode or disable the Wi-Fi Auto Connect to get rid of those pesky frame rate drops. Now word yet on when the new firmware update will be rolled out for the Nintendo Switch.