System Transfer Connect an AC Adapter
System Transfer Connect an AC Adapter
⚠️ Important Warning
Apply these solutions with caution.
Refer to official manufacturer website for authoritative information. For reference only.
Official Solution
Use the official Switch 2 AC adapter (HAC-023); third-party USB-C cables often charge but are not recognised by the transfer app.
When "Connect the AC Adapter" appears, plug that same official adapter into the console showing the prompt; once the warning clears, move the adapter to the other console when it shows the same prompt — one adapter is enough.
Make sure both systems have the latest firmware and have opened Settings → System → System Transfer before starting.
If the message persists, reset the adapter: unplug both ends for 30 s, then reconnect.
Common Symptoms
- Switch 1 shows "Connect the AC Adapter before starting the system transfer" despite battery ≥ 90 % and a charger icon on-screen
- Prompt disappears only when the official Switch 2 brick is used, not with phone chargers or USB-A-to-C cables
- Some users fix it instantly by docking the old Switch for 1 s, proving the AC check is adapter-type, not battery level
Hardware Information
The transfer program runs a USB-PD handshake; it looks for Nintendo's 15 V / 2.6 A power profile, absent on many generic chargers.
No evidence of port failure—old Switch charges on other cables, but fails AC check because the handshake flag isn't set.
If debris in the USB-C port blocks the CC pins, the console may never detect any adapter; cleaning the port can solve rare cases.