Nintendo Switch Error Code 2137-9001 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error 2137-9001 is an online multiplayer connection error on Nintendo Switch. It means you were disconnected from an online game session or could not connect to one at all. This can happen mid-match or when trying to join a lobby.

Affected Models

Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch OLED

Common Causes

Your internet connection dropped briefly during online play
Nintendo's game-matching or online services are temporarily experiencing issues
Your NAT type is set to Strict, which prevents a stable connection to other players
The Wi-Fi signal where you play is too weak to sustain a real-time online game connection
The host of the game session you were in disconnected, ending the session for everyone

How to Fix It

Check Nintendo's service status at nintendo.com/consumer/network/en_na/network_status.jsp to see if online services for your specific game are affected.

Game-specific online services can have issues independently of the general eShop or account services.
Test your connection's NAT type. Go to System Settings > Internet > Test Connection and note the NAT type shown. NAT Type A or B is needed for reliable online play.

If you see NAT Type C or D, log into your router and enable UPnP. This tells your router to automatically open the ports Nintendo Switch needs.
Move your Switch closer to the router or switch to a wired connection. Real-time online gaming requires a stable, low-latency connection that weak Wi-Fi cannot always provide.

Plug an ethernet cable into your Nintendo Switch dock for TV mode. For handheld mode, a USB-C ethernet adapter works well.
Restart your router and modem. Unplug both for 60 seconds. Reconnect the modem first, wait for it to connect, then reconnect the router.

This clears any routing issues your router may have built up and gives your Switch a fresh connection path.
Close the game and relaunch it. If you were in a session that ended due to someone else disconnecting, simply relaunching is all that is needed.

If the host of a game session disconnects, all other players in that session will also be disconnected and will see a connection error.

When to Call a Professional

Error 2137-9001 is a network connectivity issue — not a hardware fault. No repair is needed. If this error occurs constantly even with good Wi-Fi and correct NAT settings, contact Nintendo Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to play online games?

Yes, a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for online multiplayer in most games. Without it, you can still play local wireless with friends nearby, but not over the internet. You can subscribe for a monthly, 3-month, or annual fee at nintendo.com.

Why does my internet seem fine but online games keep disconnecting?

General internet browsing and video streaming can tolerate brief dropouts without you noticing. Online games are much more sensitive — even a 1-second dropout can drop you from a game session. Test your connection stability specifically — not just your speed. Look for packet loss in the network test results.

Can the other player cause me to get disconnected?

Yes. In peer-to-peer connections (where your Switch connects directly to another player's Switch), if the other player has a bad connection or quits the game abruptly, it can disconnect everyone in that session. In server-hosted games, your connection quality is independent of other players.