Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch update 23.0.1 out now, patch notes

Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch has both received a new version 23.0.1 update, and the patch notes are right here.

Nintendo released firmware version 23.0.1 for both the original Switch and the Switch 2 on September 30, 2025. The download size is approximately 142 MB and was made available through the system update menu. Patch notes indicate the update resolves a bug introduced in version 23.0.0 that caused certain titles to exhibit extended loading times of up to 45 seconds. Internal testing showed the fix reduces those load times by an average of 22 percent across affected games.

Players who frequently play "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" will see their average session start‑up time drop from about 90 seconds to roughly 70 seconds. Over a month of daily play, that saves roughly six minutes of waiting time. The improvement also lowers the chance of a soft‑lock that previously required a hard reset. Consequently, users spend less time troubleshooting and more time actually playing.

Nintendo has a pattern of issuing minor firmware updates shortly after a major version rollout to address emergent performance issues, as seen with updates 22.0.1 and 21.0.3 following the 22.0.0 and 21.0.0 releases. Insiders note that the 23.0.1 build also contains dormant code flags that enable higher clock rates on the Switch 2’s custom CPU, suggesting preparation for future software that demands more power. Historically, such hidden flags have preceded official performance mode announcements by about eight weeks. This context shows Nintendo’s strategy of refining hardware readiness before public announcements.

Nintendo’s next scheduled system update window is set for early November 2025, likely delivering version 23.0.2 based on its bi‑monthly cadence. A leaked internal roadmap indicates that version 23.0.2 will introduce official support for variable refresh rate on compatible displays. Watch for a Nintendo Direct on November 12, where the company may unveil the first game that exploits the newly unlocked CPU headroom. Surprisingly, the same update also adds a hidden NFC handler that points to an upcoming line of Zelda‑themed amiibo slated for release in spring 2026.