Is this possible to connect the Nintendo Switch video game console to a laptop? If it is, then how to connect it and use it as a screen?
There are many of you who are very keen to know about that so they can play games on a big screen. Am I right? Ok so don’t worry, this is the reason I am here to help you and guide you step by step.
Before we begin this guide, I want to share some sales stat, as per the NS’s Wikipedia page as of March 2021, the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite gaming consoles have sold over 84 million units on worldwide. And this thing is the game changer for the company. Further, this is one of the most popular gaming consoles in the United States.
One of the reasons behind its popularity is that you can easily carry this mobile size gaming console with you to play games anywhere like at your college, office, etc., you can gaming on the go. Don’t underestimate this little NS gaming console because it has an extensive gaming library which includes games like Smash Bros, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Maker 2, and many more.
And the best thing about this Nintendo Switch is that when you at home you can connect this device on your TV or desktop monitor to enjoy gaming on a large size screen. Yes, you have read/heard it right you can connect Switch to TV by using a Dock. But wait, don’t be happy because there is a chance where many of you are using an old TV that doesn’t have advanced features to run Nintendo Switch.
The next thing which comes in to your mind that is can we connect Nintendo Switch to Laptop? Am I right? So this article is specially created for this only. So let’s begin.
Table Of Contents- Can We Connect Nintendo Switch Directly To Laptop?
- What Do You Need To Connect Nintendo Switch To Laptop?
- 1. Nintendo Dock
- 2. Video Capture Card
- 3. HDMI Cable
- 4. Software
- How To Connect Nintendo Switch To Laptop?Step By Step
- Step 1:
- Step 2:
- Step 3:
- Step 4:
- Step 5:
- Any Alternative?
- Final Verdict
Can We Connect Nintendo Switch Directly To Laptop?
Well, the answer is a big NO, you can’t connect Nintendo Switch directly to your laptop but you can with extra peripherals. You can connect other devices like TV or Monitors with the help of dock and HDMI cables. But this is not the case with laptops.
Many of you might be thinking that why this is not possible with the laptop whereas the laptops also come with an HDMI port. Am I right? So, the reason is that the laptop comes with an HDMI output port and not an HDMI-in port. While the dock too has an HDMI output port.
Let’s make this more simple for you and easy to understand. With the help of a laptop HDMI output port, you can connect an external display that can out the signal from the laptop to an external device. But you can’t connect an external device to get output in your laptop and this is why you can’t connect a Nintendo console directly to your laptop.
What Do You Need To Connect Nintendo Switch To Laptop?
For connecting Nintendo Switch to a laptop we will need few things, which might be new for you. But don’t worry here we will discuss each of them and tell you about the use of that thing.
1. Nintendo Dock
The Nintendo Switch comes with a dock itself so there is no need to buy it separately.
This dock helps you to connect the console to other devices like TV or monitor and allows you to play games on a bigger screen.
And also, with the help of this Nintendo Dock and other things you can connect the Switch to a laptop and get the screen to play games.
2. Video Capture Card
For connecting Nintendo Switch to a laptop we need a device or something which comes with an HDMI input and USB output port.
Well, this kind of device is available called “Capture Card” which works for this.
Actually, this video capture card is built for live game streaming and mostly used by pro gamers because they do live to stream for their audience. If you have no idea about video capture cards and want the best one then I suggest you Elgato HD60 S, this is the best selling over on amazon.
3. HDMI Cable
Well, you don’t have to buy the HDMI (High Definition Media Interface) cable. The reason is it comes in a package of Nintendo Switch, and if you will buy a capture card then one will comes in that package also.
4. Software
To work all the things together like a laptop, Nintendo dock, and to use the capture card you will need software. That software actually captures the video from the capture card and shows you on the laptop screen. In simple term, you need a software which is used for a live stream like the video streaming on Twitch or for any other streaming services.
Anyone of you already using any of this kind of software for live streaming then you can use that. But if you are not familiar with this kind of software then I suggest you use OBS Studio software. It is free and available with all the leading operating systems which includes Windows, Mac, and Linux.
How To Connect Nintendo Switch To Laptop?
Step By Step
Now we have all the required things to connect Nintendo Switch to the laptop. So, here I will show you how to connect Switch with all these things step by step and get the laptop screen for playing games. Let’s get started.
Step 1:
Firstly, you have to connect the Nintendo Switch to the Dock. It is very easy, you just have to connect the cable of the Dock to the Type-C port of the Switch.
Step 2:
Now you have to do is connect the Dock with the Video Capture Card through the HDMI cable and make sure to connect into the HDMI-in port.
Step 3:
In this step, you have to open the software on your laptop which you have installed.
Step 4:
After connecting the HDMI cable you just have to turn on the Nintendo Switch.
Step 5:
We are on the final step. Now you have to connect the Video Capture Card to the laptop with a USB cable. And wait for a few seconds, once it’s done you will see the Nintendo Switch’s Home screen on your laptop.
Finally, you have connected your Nintendo Switch with your laptop to play switch gaming on your laptop.
Any Alternative?
Well, this is the only way and you have to follow this method if you want to connect Nintendo Switch to a laptop for playing games on a big screen. But if you just want to play Switch games on your laptop only then a few games are available on the Windows Store where you can download and play games.
Final Verdict
Here I have tried my best to make it as simple as I can do so non-techie person can also follow this guide and connect Nintendo switch to a laptop. I hope you will try this method and enjoy gaming on a big screen anywhere you want by connecting Nintendo Switch to a laptop.
At the end, I have also given you an alternative if you can’t afford a video capture card or anything else but still, you can play games on your laptop. Still, if you face any problem you can feel free to contact me.
