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Have you been playing a Switch and your Switch has been banned? Maybe only your system was banned and not your account.
So how do you unlink a single Nintendo Account from a banned Switch?
The best way to disconnect your Nintendo account from a banned Switch is to call Nintendo at 1-800-255-3700. They will walk you through unlinking your account from the banned Switch, or do it from their end.
Although some Nintendo Switch users may use homebrew to unlink their account, this is dangerous as some people have done this when their account or console was not permanently banned. In turn, this ended up getting them permanently banned.
If you want to know more about how to unlink a Nintendo Switch Account from a banned Switch, you will want to keep reading.
You can also watch this video if you would prefer not to read on as well.
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Things You Need To Know About Your Nintendo Account Before You Unlink It
- If a Nintendo account is linked to a user account, it cannot be unlinked. You must delete the associated user account to unlink the Nintendo account from the Switch console.
- If you delete a user account from a Switch console, all saved data and progress in the user account that has been saved into the console will also be deleted.
- If you want to retain saved data in a console despite deleting the account, the data needs to be backed up using the Save Data Cloud backup feature.
- An unlinked Nintendo account can still be actively used on a console other than the previous one. You can also re-link your account to another user and access your previous purchases and games’ progress.
- If you want to unlink your account for the sole purpose of linking it to another console, you don’t have to! Nintendo allows you to connect your account to more than one Nintendo Switch console at a time.
While unlinking Nintendo accounts has been quite a helpful feature for a long time, in 2018, Nintendo announced an update that barred users from unlinking their accounts with ease. While previously, an option to “unlink account” was available in the account settings, this was removed shortly after the announcement, leaving very few options for people who faced problems with the server that could typically be solved by simply unlinking.
This also goes for banned consoles which cannot be used through a Nintendo account anymore.
How To Unlink A Nintendo Account From Your Switch Console
A banned Switch console restricts your access to the Nintendo Store and some other features on the online gaming platform. The only way to unlink a Nintendo account after being banned is by calling Nintendo Support or using homebrew.
Due to the Nintendo account being linked on the server side, unlinking your account offline is not possible either.
This is why you will need to call Nintendo to have their help unlinking your account. They are always willing to help, and always seem to know what they are doing.
Unlinking Your Nintendo Account
Unfortunately, the loss of the original “unlink” option makes this a tough battle for banned and used Switch consoles. However, before searching for a solution, it is important that you try to understand the reason behind your ban.
Some banned users are presented with error codes and messages while trying to connect to their consoles. In case you’re confronted with a similar scenario, we suggest that you pay a visit to the Nintendo website support page online.
Here, you can enter the error code you saw into the search bar and see if Nintendo has an explanation for the error code. This can help you understand why the ban on your account was made. However, Nintendo can be quite particular regarding bans.
You may understand the reason for some, while they might decide not to give you details about other specific bans. This can make it hard for you to recover your account.
This is where telephone support comes into play. Nintendo is known for its great support team. The Nintendo Switch usually has a friendly and understanding support team and you can call them directly by finding their phone number online. Make sure to be cooperative so that they take care of your issue as well as they can.
Often, telling them that your console was simply “lost or destroyed” works best when you want them to unlink your account.
Why Do Nintendo Switches Get Banned
A Nintendo Switch is definitely a prized asset. From its compact, home-based design to its endless list of entertaining games, what’s not to like?
Imagine if that fever dream came to an end. One day, you opened your eyes and found out that there’s a price on your head and it is titled “banned Nintendo Switch”. It might sound like a nightmare, but it isn’t all that bad.
Recently, there has been a surge in console bans from Nintendo because of predatory hackers and users who use the device to spread unsupported content.
Nintendo is known for banning its consoles instead of user accounts. Creating Nintendo accounts is both easy and free. Deleting an account, thus, would barely scratch the surface of the issue.
Hackers, undeterred, would continue to make multiple accounts that infiltrate the system. To prevent this, “super-bans” are often imposed.
This is why the super bans are permanent bans that only affect the Switch console and not your account. You can log in to your account from your PC, mobile, or on your 3DS. You can make associated purchases and browse your history and re-download games.
You can also use your account on a second console with no problems on your account.
However, people other than hackers get banned too. Nintendo cites the following reasons for banning accounts:
- Breaching the user agreements
- Performing fraudulent/unauthorized transactions
- Violating the Nintendo Code of Conduct
You’ll be glad to find out that a banned console doesn’t draw the curtain over the show. No, the buying and selling of used and banned consoles is a popular thing in the Nintendo world.
Once again, this is owing to the fact that accounts are free to own and be used anywhere and everywhere. So even if your console is banned, you’re likely to find someone who will pay a good price for it.
To sell a console, it helps if your previous account isn’t inconveniencing the new owners’ time on your console. You can prevent this by unlinking your Nintendo account from your Switch console.
A Nintendo account is valuable, as we’ve already established. Your Nintendo account is usually linked to a user account, where all your gameplay data and history are saved as well as your downloaded games. If you want to continue your game progress on other consoles after your banned one is sold, it is a good idea to unlink your profile account from the banned console.
This is done so that you can continue from where you left off even on your new console without a hitch.
How Do I Unregister A Banned Switch?
If your Nintendo Switch has been banned, it means that Nintendo has identified your device as being involved in activities that violate its terms of service. As a result, your Switch will no longer be able to access Nintendo’s online services, including the eShop, online multiplayer, and any other online features.
To unregister a banned Switch, you will need to contact Nintendo customer support. You can do this by visiting the support section of the Nintendo website and selecting the “Contact Us” option. From there, you can select the specific issue you are having with your Switch and provide any relevant information to help Nintendo assist you.
Once you have contacted customer support, they will be able to help you unregister your banned Switch. This process will likely involve providing proof of ownership and answering some security questions to verify your identity. Once your identity has been confirmed, Nintendo will be able to unregister your banned Switch.
It’s important to note that unregistering a banned Switch does not mean that the device will be unbanned. If Nintendo has determined that your Switch has been involved in activities that violate its terms of service they are unlikely to lift the ban.
In this case, you may need to purchase a new Switch in order to continue using online services.
What Do I Do If My Nintendo Switch Account Is Suspended?
If your Nintendo Switch account is suspended, it means that you have violated the terms of service, and your access to online services, including online multiplayer and the Nintendo eShop, has been temporarily restricted.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand why your account was suspended and what you can do to avoid it in the future. The reasons for a suspension can vary, but common reasons include:
1. Cheating or hacking in online games
2. Using unauthorized software or devices
3. Sharing your account information with others
4. Engaging in inappropriate behavior or language in online games or on social media
If you believe that your account was suspended unfairly or by mistake, you can contact Nintendo’s customer support team to dispute the suspension and request a review. Be sure to provide any relevant information or evidence to support your claim.
However, if you are unable to dispute the suspension or if your account is suspended again after the review, it’s important to accept the consequences and refrain from any further violations. You will need to wait for the suspension to be lifted before you can access your account again.
In the meantime, you can still play your downloaded games offline and use other features of your Switch, such as local multiplayer, screen capture, and sharing your gameplay on social media. You can also use this time to reflect on your actions and make sure to abide by the terms of service in the future.
Overall, a suspended Nintendo Switch account can be frustrating and inconvenient, but it’s important to take responsibility for your actions and avoid any further violations. By following the rules and showing respect to other players, you can avoid suspension and continue enjoying the online features of your Switch.
How Do I Unlink My Nintendo Account From Another Switch?
Unlinking your Nintendo Account from another Switch is a simple process that can be done in a few steps.
1. First, go to your Nintendo Account settings on the Switch that you want to unlink. Scroll down to the “Linked Devices” section and select the Switch that you want to unlink.
2. Next, you will be prompted to confirm that you want to unlink the device. Select “Unlink” and confirm your decision.
Once the device has been unlinked, your Nintendo Account will no longer be connected to that Switch. This means that you will no longer be able to access your saved games, digital purchases, or other content on that device.
If you want to link your Nintendo Account to a different Switch, you can simply repeat the linking process on the new device.
To do this, go to the “Linked Devices” section of your Nintendo Account settings and select “Add New Device.”
It’s important to note that unlinking your Nintendo Account from a Switch does not delete your account or any of your content. Your account and all of your data will remain safe and accessible from any other Switch that you have linked to your account.
Unlinking your Nintendo Account from a Switch is a quick and easy process that can be done in just a few steps. By following the instructions above, you can easily unlink your account and access your content on a different device.
Conclusion
Now that you know the best way to unlink your account from the banned Switch, you can unlink it, and then sell your banned Switch as it does no good to you since you can’t play it online anymore. The good thing is that your account itself still has all of its games and everything saved on it, so when you buy a new Nintendo device, you can simply sign into your account and load all of your previous games.
You will need to be careful that when you sign into your new Switch, you do not make the same mistakes that got your first console banned by Nintendo. Otherwise, they will ban this console as well and you will have to repeat the process and spend more money to buy a whole new console again.
Even though no one likes to have their account banned or suspended, Nintendo is only doing what they need to do to make sure that people follow the rules and to keep the platform safe from hackers and fun to play on for people of all ages.