If you’re looking for a way to play your Nintendo Switch on a larger screen but don’t have a TV, your PC monitor is a great alternative. This guide explains exactly how to connect Nintendo Switch to PC with HDMI. Using your PC monitor as a display for your Nintendo Switch requires a specific piece of hardware to bridge the connection.
It’s a straightforward process once you have the right equipment. We’ll cover everything you need, from the essential capture card to setting up the audio.
How To Connect Nintendo Switch To Pc With Hdmi
You cannot directly plug your Nintendo Switch dock into your PC’s HDMI port. A PC’s HDMI port is typically an output, sending a signal to a monitor, not receiving one from a console. To make this work, you need an intermediary device called a video capture card.
A capture card acts as a bridge. It takes the HDMI signal from your Switch dock and converts it so your PC can process it. You then use software on your PC to view the gameplay.
Essential Equipment You Will Need
Before you start, gather these items. Having everything ready will make the setup process smooth and quick.
- Nintendo Switch and its Official Dock: The dock is required as it houses the HDMI output and power for your console.
- A PC with an Available USB Port: This will be used to connect the capture card. A USB 3.0 port or better is highly recommended for performance.
- An HDMI Cable: The one that came with your Switch is perfect.
- A Video Capture Card: This is the crucial component. Options range from affordable USB dongles to internal PCIe cards.
- Capture Software (Usually Free): Most capture cards come with software, or you can use free options like OBS Studio.
- The Switch’s AC Adapter: You must power the dock to run the console in TV mode.
Choosing The Right Capture Card
Your choice of capture card will impact ease of use, video quality, and lag. Here’s a breakdown of the main types.
External USB Capture Cards
These are the most popular and user-friendly options for connecting a Switch to a PC. They are small devices that plug directly into your computer’s USB port.
- Pros: Portable, easy to install, no need to open your PC case, and often very affordable.
- Cons: Can sometimes introduce slight latency, though good models minimize this.
- Good Examples: Elgato Cam Link, AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini, and many generic “HDMI to USB” adapters.
Internal PCIe Capture Cards
These cards install directly into a slot on your computer’s motherboard. They are designed for more serious streaming and recording.
- Pros: Generally offer the highest video quality and lowest latency, with very reliable performance.
- Cons: Require opening your PC, more expensive, and you need an available PCIe slot.
- Good Examples: Elgato 4K60 Pro, AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K.
For most people wanting to play Switch on their monitor, a reliable external USB capture card is the best and simplest choice.
Step By Step Connection Guide
Follow these steps carefully to set up your Nintendo Switch with your PC monitor.
Step 1: Prepare Your Nintendo Switch Dock
- Place your Nintendo Switch console into its official dock.
- Connect the Switch’s AC power adapter to the dock and plug it into a wall outlet. This step is mandatory for TV mode.
- Take the HDMI cable and connect one end to the “HDMI OUT” port on the back of the dock.
Step 2: Connect The Capture Card
- Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the “HDMI IN” port on your capture card.
- Using a second HDMI cable (not always included), connect the “HDMI OUT” or “Pass-Through” port on the capture card to your PC monitor’s HDMI input. This allows for direct viewing with less lag, a crucial step.
- Finally, connect the capture card to your PC using its provided USB cable.
Step 3: Install Necessary Software
Your PC may need to install drivers for the capture card automatically. After that, you’ll need software to see the video feed.
- Install any dedicated software that came with your capture card from the manufacturer’s website.
- Alternatively, download and install OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software). It’s free, powerful, and works with almost every capture card on the market.
Step 4: Configure The Software And Play
- Open your chosen software (e.g., OBS Studio).
- Add a new “Video Capture Device” source.
- Select your capture card from the device list.
- You should now see your Nintendo Switch’s home screen displayed in the software window.
- Set the software window to fullscreen or use the monitor connected to the capture card’s pass-through port for the best gameplay experience.
Configuring Audio For The Best Experience
Getting the audio to play through your PC speakers or headset can be tricky. The video signal comes through the capture card, but the audio often needs separate routing.
Method 1: Audio Through Monitor Or External Speakers
The simplest method is to use the audio from the monitor connected to the capture card’s pass-through port. If your monitor has speakers or a headphone jack, you can get audio directly from there with no PC configuration needed.
Method 2: Audio Through Your PC
To hear the Switch audio through your PC’s default speakers or headset, you need to route the capture card’s audio.
- In OBS Studio, the audio is usually captured automatically with the video source. You can right-click the audio mixer, select “Advanced Audio Properties,” and set the capture card audio to “Monitor and Output.”
- Then, in your PC’s system sound settings, set OBS’s monitoring device as your default playback device while gaming.
- Some capture card software also creates a virtual audio device you can select as your playback device directly.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If things aren’t working, don’t worry. Here are solutions to the most frequent problems.
No Signal Detected
- Ensure the Switch is firmly seated in the dock and the dock is powered (the green light should be on).
- Double-check all HDMI connections are secure.
- Try using a different HDMI cable, especially the one connecting the dock to the capture card.
- Restart your PC and the capture card software.
Audio Lag Or Delay
Audio lag is a common frustration. To fix it, you need to sync the audio and video.
- In OBS, right-click your video source, go to Properties, and find the “Audio Sync Offset” setting. Adjust this in small increments (e.g., 50ms) until the audio matches the video.
- Using the HDMI pass-through to a monitor for video and PC for audio can sometimes cause this; using the monitor’s audio eliminates the problem.
Choppy Video Or High Latency
- Make sure your capture card is plugged into a USB 3.0 port (usually blue). USB 2.0 ports cannot handle HD video well.
- Close any unnecessary programs on your PC to free up system resources.
- In your capture software, try lowering the resolution or frame rate of the captured signal if your PC is struggling.
Why Not Use A Simple HDMI Cable?
A common question is why you can’t just run an HDMI cable from the Switch dock to an HDMI port on the PC. As mentioned, a PC’s HDMI port is designed to output video from the PC’s graphics card to a display.
It is not designed to accept an incoming video signal. There is no hardware or software pathway for the PC to receive and display that signal like a monitor or TV does. The capture card provides that necessary hardware interface.
Alternative Method: Using A Monitor With Multiple Inputs
If your goal is simply to play your Switch on a larger screen and you’re using a desktop PC, there is a simpler alternative that doesn’t require a capture card.
Most modern PC monitors have multiple input ports, like two HDMI ports or one HDMI and one DisplayPort. In this setup, you connect your PC to one input (e.g., HDMI 1) and your Nintendo Switch dock to another input (e.g., HDMI 2).
You then use the monitor’s input or source button to switch between your PC display and your Switch display. This method offers zero latency and perfect audio through the monitor, as the Switch is connected directly to the display. However, it only works if your monitor has spare ports and you are okay with not having the game window on your PC desktop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Connect My Nintendo Switch To A Laptop With HDMI?
The process is identical to connecting to a desktop PC. You will still need a video capture card, as a laptop’s HDMI port is also an output port. The setup uses the laptop’s screen as the display via the capture software.
Does This Setup Cause Input Lag?
There can be a small amount of lag, especially if you are viewing the game through the capture software on the same PC. Using the HDMI pass-through port on the capture card to connect directly to a monitor eliminates almost all perceptible lag, making it feel like a direct connection.
Can I Record Or Stream My Gameplay With This Setup?
Yes, absolutely. This is a primary function of a capture card. Software like OBS Studio allows you to easily record your gameplay footage or broadcast it live to platforms like Twitch or YouTube while you play.
Do All Capture Cards Work With The Nintendo Switch?
Virtually any modern capture card that accepts an HDMI input will work with the Nintendo Switch. The Switch outputs a standard 1080p signal in docked mode, which is widely supported. Just ensure the capture card you choose supports at least 1080p resolution.
Is It Possible To Connect The Switch To A PC Without A Dock?
For standard TV mode play on a monitor, the official dock is required. There are third-party portable docks and HDMI adapters that can replace the official dock, but they carry a small risk of damaging your console. Using the official Nintendo dock is always the safest recommendation.