How To Clear A Nintendo Switch Cache | What Gets Removed

The Nintendo Switch Reset Cache command removes saved IDs, passwords, cookies, history, and cached website data without deleting games or save data.

A stubborn sign-in can survive a restart because the Nintendo Switch keeps website data for each user, and the built-in menu shows how to clear a Nintendo Switch cache in five selections. Nintendo’s Reset Cache command handles the job without touching downloaded games or save data.

The reset is narrow. It targets saved IDs, passwords, cookies, history, and other cached website data for the user you choose. Nintendo states that downloaded games and game save data stay in place, so you do not need to reinstall your library or restore progress afterward.

Clearing The Nintendo Switch Cache: What Changes

Clearing the Nintendo Switch cache affects one selected user’s stored website data, not the user’s installed games or save files. The setting sits under System Settings > System > Formatting Options.

1. From the HOME Menu, select System Settings, the gear-shaped icon along the bottom row.
2. Scroll down the left side and select System.
3. Scroll down the right side and select Formatting Options.
4. Select Reset Cache.
5. Choose the user whose cached data you want to remove, then select Reset to confirm.

After confirmation, that user’s stored website data is removed. Downloaded games and game save data stay available, which is the result Nintendo documents for this command.

What Does Reset Cache Actually Remove?

Nintendo defines Reset Cache as a user-specific deletion of saved IDs, passwords, cookies, history, and other cached website data. The same support page states that downloaded games and game save data are not affected.

Nintendo’s official Reset Cache instructions list the same five steps. Nintendo lists the feature for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model.

When Should You Clear The Cache?

The Nintendo Switch cache reset is most relevant when you want to remove stored website information for a user or refresh data tied to a web-based sign-in flow. Nintendo also uses cache reset as a troubleshooting step for some Nintendo eShop errors, so it can be worth trying when an eShop problem points to stored session data.

Resetting the cache is not a factory reset, and it is not the same as deleting software or save files. Nintendo documents the command around website data rather than installed game files or general performance data, so repeated cache resets are unlikely to address an unrelated game problem.

• Use Reset Cache when you need to remove saved IDs, passwords, cookies, history, or related website data.
• Choose the affected user instead of assuming the reset applies to every profile.
• Use a different system setting if your goal is to remove installed software or erase save data.
• If one specific game is failing, troubleshoot that software rather than assuming website cache is responsible.

Why The User Selection Matters

The Nintendo Switch cache reset is performed per user, so the profile you select determines which stored website data is removed. A shared Nintendo Switch can have several user profiles, and resetting one profile’s cache does not mean every profile has been cleared.

If the problem only appears under one profile, start with that profile. If the same web-based sign-in or Nintendo eShop behavior appears under several profiles, repeat the reset for each affected user rather than changing unrelated data.

Five Screens From HOME Menu To Reset

The Nintendo Switch cache menu sequence is short enough to verify at a glance before you confirm anything. Each selection below matches Nintendo’s current Nintendo Switch instructions.

The confirmation step removes the stored website data listed by Nintendo, so make sure you can sign back into any service whose saved credentials may disappear. Your downloaded games and game save data remain intact.

Use The Reset Without Touching Game Progress

The Nintendo Switch cache reset only needs the built-in Reset Cache command; stronger reset options solve different problems. For this task, you only need the five selections below.

1. Open System Settings from the HOME Menu.
2. Select System.
3. Select Formatting Options.
4. Select Reset Cache.
5. Pick the affected user and select Reset.

After the reset, reopen the service or screen that was giving you trouble and sign in again if requested. If the issue has nothing to do with stored website data, move to troubleshooting that specific game, network connection, or Nintendo eShop error instead of repeating the cache reset.