Nintendo Switch Error Code 2813-1601 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

2813-1601 means your Nintendo Switch was disconnected from an online game session. The connection to the game's server or another player was lost mid-session. This is usually caused by network instability or a weak Wi-Fi signal.

Affected Models

Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch OLED

Common Causes

Your Wi-Fi signal dropped momentarily during the online session
Your home internet connection experienced a brief outage or packet loss
The game's server experienced an issue and dropped the connection
Another player in the session had a poor connection that caused the entire session to fail
Your router's session table was full and dropped the gaming connection

How to Fix It

Move the Switch closer to your router. Bring the console within 2 to 3 meters of the router and check if disconnections stop. If they do, your Wi-Fi signal was too weak.

Weak Wi-Fi signal is the most common cause of 2813-1601. Walls, microwaves, and other electronics all interfere with Wi-Fi signals.
Use a wired ethernet connection when docked. Connect a Nintendo LAN adapter to the Switch dock and plug in an ethernet cable from your router. Wired connections are far more stable for online gaming.

Even a moderate Wi-Fi signal can experience micro-drops that break game connections. A wired connection eliminates this entirely.
Restart your router. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Wait for all lights to stabilize, then reconnect the Switch and try the online session again.

Router session tables fill up over time, especially with many connected devices. A restart clears these tables and restores stable gaming connections.
Check your internet connection speed. On the Switch, go to System Settings > Internet > Connection Status > Run a Connection Test. Look at the Download Speed and Upload Speed results.

Online gaming requires at least 3 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload for a stable session. If speeds are consistently lower, contact your ISP.
Enable Quality of Service (QoS) on your router. Log into your router admin panel and look for a QoS or Gaming Mode setting. Enable it and set the Switch as a priority device using its MAC address.

QoS tells your router to prioritize gaming traffic over other internet use in your home. This reduces the chance of being disconnected when other family members are streaming or downloading.

When to Call a Professional

If disconnections happen multiple times per hour across all online games, your router or internet connection may need professional attention. Contact your internet service provider about unstable connections. You can also contact Nintendo Support at support.nintendo.com for guidance on Switch-specific network settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 2813-1601 result in a penalty in ranked or competitive games?

Some games do penalize disconnections in ranked modes, regardless of the cause. Unexpected disconnections from your side — even due to internet issues — may count as a loss or result in a temporary matchmaking ban. This is a game-by-game policy decided by the developer, not by Nintendo.

Why does my Switch disconnect but my laptop stays connected fine?

Laptops and game consoles handle Wi-Fi differently. A laptop may tolerate brief signal drops and reconnect seamlessly. A real-time gaming session on Switch cannot tolerate any interruption — even a fraction-of-a-second drop triggers 2813-1601. Stable, consistent signal matters more for gaming than raw speed.

Does using a Wi-Fi extender help with 2813-1601 disconnections?

It can, if your signal is genuinely weak. A Wi-Fi extender or mesh network node closer to where you play improves signal strength. However, cheap extenders sometimes introduce extra latency that can cause different connection problems. For the best results, a wired connection via ethernet remains the most reliable solution.