The Nintendo Switch is a portable video game console developed for hardcore gamers that allows them to play Nintendo games on a portable device. It also allows you to play games on the big screen by connecting it with your TV. However, there may be some cases where your TV stops working or you want to travel to another place. In that case, the laptop would be an optimal solution.
You might be wondering if there is a solution to use your laptop as a monitor for your Switch. Well, this article is written to answer your question and if possible you can also see the solutions.
Use a laptop as a monitor for Nintendo Switch?
Yes, it is possible to use your laptop as a monitor for your switch and there are usually two methods to accomplish this task. Detailed discussion of these two methods is provided below:
1: Using HDMI cable to connect your Switch to laptop
This method is the easiest for users who want to connect the Nintendo Switch with your laptop. This method is simple if your laptop has an HDMI input port; however, most laptops only have one HDMI output port. Therefore, this process may seem impossible if your laptop does not have an HDMI input port. You can follow our tutorial with steps on how to change HDMI output to input on laptop.
The Nintendo Switch has an HDMI output port and you will need to insert one end of the HDMI cable into this port and the other end of the cable into the HDMI port on the laptop. Adopting this method will help you see the Nintendo Switch screen on your laptop. This is exactly the same method that you would easily use with a computer monitor or TV to display the Switch on a big screen. But keep in mind that a TV has sound and a monitor often doesn’t.
2: Using a capture card to connect your Switch to the laptop
If the first method doesn’t works for you, you can choose this method to connect your Switch to a laptop. To do this method, you will first need a capture card. Elgato is a good brand of gaming capture cards and we tested their Elgato HD60X external capture card. The advantage of using an external capture card device is that you don’t modify your existing laptop, you are just adding additional external components to play Nintendo Switch with your laptop as a display. Other capture cards might work just as well, this one is tested for illustration and demo. However, we recommend that you go with an Ellegato capture card due to its reputation for performance and compatibility. The capture card device selects the images and sound from your Nintendo Switch and transfers them to your laptop.
When you successfully shop for a capture card, make sure you have all of the following items and prerequisites:
- Two HDMI cables
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch Docking Station
- Elgato HD60X External Capture Card
- USB cable from capture card to connect capture card to laptop
- Elgato software downloaded and installed on your laptop
Here is a picture of the Elgato capture card already set up and working after completing the steps below:
Now, a Once you have the above items, you can follow the step mentioned below: step by step instructions.
Step 1: Insert your Switch into the Nintendo Switch docking station.
Step 2: Take an HDMI cable and insert Cut one end into the HDMI port on the Nintendo Switch dock and insert the other end into the HDMI input port on Elgato.
Step 3: To connect your laptop , plug one end of the HDMI cable into your HDMI input port and the other end into the capture card’s HDMI output port.
Step 4: Connect your laptop to the Elgato capture card using the provided USB connector between the laptop and the capture device.
Here is an image from steps 1-3 showing the 2 HDMI connectors connected to the card as well as the USB connection between the laptop and the capture card.
Step 4: Download and install the Elgato capture card software from the download from the Elgato website. The software to select should be called 4K CAPTURE UTILITY. Once installed, launch this software package to make it run.
Step 5 – After performing these steps, you will now be able to see and hear Nintendo Switch on your computer screen portable while using and playing the Switch.
Conclusion
Nintendo Switch is a small and mighty gaming device that gives gamers the freedom to to play Nintendo games right in your hands. . In order to connect the Switch to your laptop for a larger screen, you should get guidance from the above two methods that will allow you to easily connect the Switch to your laptop. Both methods are quite simple.
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