Getting on public Wi-fi, a mobile hotspot or even a hotel's wifi connection is really easy when you're connecting through a traditional web browser or PC but connecting through a gaming system can be a pain in the "you know what". Lots of hotels are guilty of having weak wi-fi signal but even the good ones provide complexity due to IP address protection and other security protocols required to run a secure hotel wifi network.
More and more guests are traveling with their gaming console, and for front desk managers, these consoles can lead to lots of headaches. Getting a PS4, Nintendo Switch, or Xbox set up on a new WiFi network – especially one that’s password-protected – is never as straightforward as it would seem. But, given the popularity of gaming consoles with Gen Z and Millennial travelers, it’s a process your team will need to master to meet guest expectations.
You've probably read the Reddit and Gamespot threads on the topic but they can be a pain to read through so we've compiled all the best info in one clear article.
This guide will cover connecting a Nintendo Switch to hotel WiFi (or, if that fails, an alternative internet connection). Nintendo Switch reportedly sold more than double the number of consoles in March 2020 in the US than in March 2019, due in part to the popularity of the game Animal Crossings. Check out the end of this guide for more on Animal Crossings, as well as recommendations for games. For how to set up other consoles, check out our guides to PS4 and Xbox.
What Do You Need to Get Your Switch Connected?
If you’re not familiar with the Nintendo Switch, check out this video to see how a Switch console is set up for the first time. Make sure your guest has all the components with them before trying to connect to your hotel’s WiFi.
Most gamers know to travel with these items, but make sure to double-check before you get started. You will need:
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HDMI cable
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AC Adapter
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Console
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Controller
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WiFi username and password
If you don't have a piece of equipment you should be able to connect with the front desk via one of these preferred methods at your hotel to request it as many hotels keep gaming gear on property:
Steps to Connect to Hotel WiFi on a Switch
If you had a contactless check-in process at the hotel you may not have had a chance to ask the front desk about connecting your device to the in room entertainment system and WiFi. The process for connecting a Nintendo Switch to WiFi is a little complicated. Here’s a video you can use to help visualize the steps as you relate them to your guest:
Try following these steps:
1. Toggle to “Settings” in the main menu
2. Under Settings, on the lefthand menu, select “Internet” and navigate to “Internet settings”
3. The Switch will start to search for a network.
4. Your hotel’s network should appear. Click the network to prompt the Switch to begin the registration process.
5. The network requires a password and will ask for registration. Hit “Next”
6. A browser window will open where the guest can submit the login details.
7. The WiFi will connect once the guest sends through the password.
Troubleshooting Nintendo Switch on WiFi
Some guests on Reddit and YouTubereport having trouble connecting to the login page (the step after you hit next to register). One hotel front desk manager noted that hotel connections are just slower. The solution he used was to set up the Switch to not go to sleep and leave it trying to connect: “After a while, the login window does pop-up. I tried it myself and it does work, it stays trying to connect for 15-20 minutes, but in the end the window does appear so that you can just use your hotel's login credentials or whatever.”
If your guest is still struggling to connect, try one of these options.
Connect Through a Different Browser Page
Sometimes, when the Switch gets stuck trying to load the registration/login page, you can prompt the page to load by trying access a different website. For instance, if you try to access Facebook, the hotel’s WiFi will redirect you to log in. Once you’ve logged in, you will be connected to the internet and able to game. Here’s how to trigger a redirect to the login page.
Tell your guest to go into user settings and then social media settings. This will take you to a browser. It’s highly likely that your hotel security system will then redirect the guest to the login page. From there, proceed as normal.
Connect Through a Laptop
One user on Reddit had success connecting to WiFi through their laptop. Here’s what they did:
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Connect to WiFi on Laptop
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Create an Ad Hoc Network on your laptop
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Connect to newly created Ad Hoc network on your Switch
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Enjoy your Switch with full internet access... albeit slightly slower due to the multiple connections.
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Do not power off or close your laptop
Use a Third-Party Hotspot
The Connectify Hotspot software app gives you a way to access WiFi through a Windows laptop. It’s not an ideal setup, as a guest needs to have the laptop and Connectify already installed. But, Connectify is free and works with Nintendo Switch. Check out this guide for more information on using Connectify with Switch.
Game Recommendations on Nintendo Switch
Looking to create a library of games at your property? Here are some must-haves that guests will be very excited to play when they come to stay.
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For nostalgia: Super Mario Odyssey. Mario is a crowdpleaser, and this version of the game is quirky, fun, and full of surprises.
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For kids: Lego City Undercover. Who doesn’t love Lego?! This version of the game takes players through Lego’s take on Grand Theft Auto. It’s good for both short sessions and longer play.
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For serious gamers: Hollow Knight. CNET calls this game a “stone-cold classic.” Explore the ruins of a fallen civilization, battle monstrous enemies, and get lost in the well-designed visuals.
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For adventure gamers: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This Zelda game is more challenging than previous iterations, according to Wired, and abandons a linear storyline, making it a bigger and better adventure.
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For everyone:Animal Crossing: New Horizons. During the pandemic, this game exploded in popularity. The storyline puts players on a deserted island that can be transformed into a whole new world through the help of DIY recipes, crafting, teamwork, and that infamous raccoon.
Need to connect an Xbox or PS4 to Hotel WiFi? Check out our other guides.