Confirmed VRR Support in Nintendo Switch 2 Dock, But Why Doesn't It Work with Switch 2?

You want games to run as smoothly as possible, but sometimes screen technology gets in the way. That's why modern TVs and portable devices are equipped with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) screens, which compensate for fluctuations in graphics when they can't consistently deliver 60 or 120 frames per second. The Nintendo Switch 2 features a VRR-supported screen. Initially, Nintendo announced that this feature would also be available for TVs, but later removed references to VRR in docked mode from the website and apologized on May 16, stating that VRR support is only possible in handheld mode. At the same time, we confirmed that the official dock for Nintendo Switch 2 supports VRR when connected to a Steam Deck. It turned out that several portable devices, such as the Lenovo Legion Go S running SteamOS and the Asus ROG Ally X, can output 4K at 120Hz, HDR, and VRR when connected to the Switch 2 dock. This was also confirmed by Reddit users who reported VRR working in this configuration. However, this method of use is not convenient — a USB-C adapter and a special platform are needed to prevent the device from disconnecting. Nevertheless, I verified that 4K VRR indeed works at speeds up to 120 frames per second, and I didn't just rely on SteamOS labels. I used the open tool VRRTest and adjusted various settings to ensure that intermediate frequencies — 48, 60, and 90 fps — remain smooth on my TV during fluctuations. So, if the Switch 2 supports VRR and the dock does too, why doesn't Nintendo offer VRR for TV mode? It would be a significant advantage for many games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, which does not run stably at 60 fps on the Switch, or for games where the frame rate sometimes drops to 55 fps, causing gameplay delays. I believe Nintendo simply thinks that the Switch 2 is not yet ready for VRR on the big screen.

Last month, Digital Foundry discovered "obvious issues" with VRR in handheld mode on the Switch 2, including stuttering in Cyberpunk 2077, 40 fps modes in No Man's Sky, and in Hitman: World of Assassination with a capped 60 fps — although Nintendo's official tour demonstrated VRR support. Rich Leadbetter from Digital Foundry noted that the feature exists and works, but its implementation in various games is still not stable enough. As for the reasons why Nintendo does not provide VRR through the official dock, he suggests that the company may have made a communication error rather than abandoning the feature. This is just one of the latest technological mysteries surrounding the launch of the Switch 2, alongside issues with USB-C video output and webcam compatibility. However, Nintendo remains silent and does not comment on the situation.