The Nintendo Switch 2 software update 21.0.0 has reportedly bricked or significantly impaired many third-party docks and related accessories, with the company stating it was unintentional and does not intend to invalidate legal third-party compatibility.

Switch 2 owners across the internet and in reports by Kotaku have stated that third-party docks either don’t work at all or have become significantly more finicky, often requiring restarts.

The issue does not appear to affect all third-party docks, though complaints span many different products.

YouTuber AustinJohnPlays tested two different Switch 2 dock dongles after the update and reported that both were non-functional.

Switch 2 update 21.0.0 introduced quality-of-life features, including the ability to disable autoplaying videos in the eShop and new icons indicating whether games are digital or physical.

Nintendo stated the issue was accidental and only impacted certain devices.

The company wrote that it “does not have any intention to hinder or invalidate legal third-party dock compatibility.”

Console firmware updates occasionally impact third-party accessories.

The original Switch experienced similar issues multiple times, requiring accessory manufacturers to perform their own software updates to restore functionality.

Third-party dock manufacturers will need to issue software updates to restore compatibility with Switch 2 firmware 21.0.0.

Users are advised to exercise caution when purchasing third-party docks until manufacturers confirm compatibility with the latest firmware.

Official Nintendo Switch 2 docks are priced at A$169.95 in Australia, while third-party alternatives typically range from A$30-$80, making them popular budget options for users seeking additional docking stations.

It remains unclear when third-party dock manufacturers will release firmware updates to address compatibility issues.

Users experiencing problems may need to revert to official Nintendo docks temporarily or wait for manufacturer updates.