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How to fix Switch, Switch Lite and Switch OLED Bluetooth audio delay/lag

Support for Bluetooth earphones, headsets, headphones and speakers were recently added to the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED systems.

When using the Bluetooth connection for audio, you may notice that there is a delay or lag in relations to what is happening on the screen.

You can check out this troubleshooting guide at Seeking Tech to see how you can fix these wireless audio latency issues.

1. The first step we recommend taking is to turn off your console and then turn it back on again.

In order to do so, you need to do the following:

  • Press and hold the power button on your Switch, Switch Lite or Switch OLED until the Power menu shows up on screen.
  • In the Power menu, select Power Options.
  • Select Turn Off.
  • Press the power button again on your system to turn it back on.

2. You can also try turning off the connected Bluetooth audio device, turn it back on again and then reconnect it you’re your Switch system.

To do so, you need to take the following steps:

  • Follow the instructions from the manufacture of the Bluetooth audio device to turn it off.
  • Follow the instructions from the manufacture of the Bluetooth audio device to turn it back on again.
  • On your Switch system, go to System Settings.
  • On the left column of the System Settings menu, scroll down and then select Bluetooth Audio.
  • On the right side of the same screen, select your Bluetooth audio device.
  • In the next screen, select Connect Device.

3. If possible, you may want to factory reset your Bluetooth audio device and then pair it to your Switch system again.

You can do so by doing the following:

  • Follow the instructions from the manufacture of the Bluetooth audio device to factory reset it.
  • Go to System Settings on your Switch system.
  • Scroll down and then select Bluetooth Audio on the left side of the System Settings menu.
  • Next, select your Bluetooth audio device on the right side of the same screen.
  • In the next screen, select Remove Device.
  • In the pop-up notification, select Remove Device again.
  • Follow the instructions from the manufacture’s Bluetooth audio device to set the device to pairing mode.
  • On the Nintendo Switch system, you should be back in the Bluetooth Audio menu. Here, you need to select Pair Device.
  • In the Pair Bluetooth Audio Device menu, select your device.
  • In the pop-up notification, select OK.

4. You can also try updating the firmware of your Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite or Nintendo Switch OLED.

You can do so by taking the following steps:

  • From the Home menu, select System Settings.
  • Inside the System Settings menu, scroll down on the left column and then select System.
  • On the right side in the same screen, select System Update.

5. If the Bluetooth audio latency issue is only happening when you play one specific game, then you can try closing the game and then opening it again.

You can also try updating the game by taking the following steps:

  • From the Home menu, navigate to the problematic game.
  • With the game highlighted, press either the + button or – button.
  • Select Software Update from the left column in the next screen.
  • On the right side of the same screen, select Via the Internet.

6. Furthermore, you can try repositioning the Bluetooth audio device to your Switch, Switch Lite or Switch OLED system.

You should try to move connected Bluetooth audio device as close as possible to the game system.

You should also make sure that there are no solid objects that may block the direct line of sight in between the audio device and your Switch.

Other wireless devices may also interrupt Bluetooth connection between the audio device and the system. Therefore, you should make sure you aren’t near any Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and any other wireless devices.

7. If none of the aforementioned potential solutions help resolve the Bluetooth audio delay and lag issues, then we recommend using a wired connection.

A wired connection will generally have less latency when compared to a Bluetooth connection.

So, if you have earphones, headsets, headphones or speakers with an audio cable, you can try connecting it to the audio jack of your Switch system. You should experience less delay and lag by doing so.