How do you connect a Nintendo Switch to your gaming monitor?

Besides the Nintendo Switch, there are the Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED. Do you already have a Switch Lite? Unfortunately, it won't work on a monitor. The Switch Lite doesn't have hardware to display the image on a larger display. The OLED does, and works in exactly the same way as a regular Switch. You'll just need an OLED gaming monitor for the same light effects. The disadvantage is that these aren't easily available yet and are pretty expensive. A regular Full HD gaming monitor is suitable too.

Before you get started with the Switch, you can connect the Switch Dock. Via this dock, you can transmit the signal to the monitor, instead of connecting the Switch directly to the monitor. Open the back of the dock and connect the HDMI cable and USB-C end of the power cable. You can recognize the USB-C port for the power supply by the text 'AC Adapter', and it's located at the top. You'll find the HDMI port at the bottom of the dock.

Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port of your monitor. Make sure to check whether you use HDMI 1 or HDMI 2, so you'll know on which source of your monitor it'll appear. Make sure the HDMI cable has enough length and isn't too tight or trapped behind the monitor. That will damage your cable, which will cause a bad signal or image loss. Make sure your Switch has enough room too. The fan is located on top of the console, which is why it's best to place it in a freestanding position. That way, the hot air can easily be exhausted.

Now that the dock and monitor have been connected, you can place the Switch into the dock. Turn on the Switch and hold your console so that the + and - buttons are at the top. You'll now carefully lower the Switch into the dock until you feel it click. When you do this correctly, the display of your Switch will move to the monitor. If the image disappears from your Switch, but doesn't appear on your monitor, you've probably selected the wrong source.

Doesn't the Nintendo Switch work after connecting and booting your console? You've probably selected the wrong source. A monitor often has more than 1 port, so you'll have to look for the right source. You can do this via the OSD of your monitor, which you can open via the buttons on your monitor. Choose the tab that allows you to select an input source, often indicated with a square with an arrow inside. Select the HDMI port you've plugged the cable into.