This guide will cover setting up the Nintendo Switch with Elgato 4K X.

Contents

• Required Items for Setup
• Setup video
• Inputs and Outputs
• Setup Steps
• Using headphones when Switch is docked

Required Items for Setup

The following are required for capturing the Nintendo Switch: 

• Nintendo Switch
• Nintendo Switch Dock with power adapter
• Desktop or laptop with USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB 3.2 Gen 1 works with reduced capture resolution)
• Elgato 4K X 
• 2 x HDMI cables.
  • One is provided with 4K X.

Setup video

Inputs and Outputs

4K X has one HDMI input, one HDMI output, one USB output, and one audio input.

HDMI In

This connects to a game console or other video source. Signals protected by HDCP can't be used.

HDMI Out

This sends the HDMI signal in real-time to a TV or display so that you can play your game normally.

Analog Audio In
This connects to an analog audio source using a 3.5mm cable.  This is the audio line-in and not a microphone port.

USB Out

This USB-C port sends the captured video to your computer via a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB 3.2 Gen 1 works with reduced capture resolution).

Setup Steps

1) Navigate to Nintendo Switch System Settings > TV Settings.

2) Set the TV Resolution to 1080p or 720p, set the TV Sound to Stereo, and disable Match TV Power State.

3) Connect your Nintendo Switch Dock to the HDMI In of 4K X via an HDMI cable.

4) Connect the HDMI Out of 4K X to your TV/Monitor via an HDMI cable.

5) Connect the 4K X to your computer via a USB cable.

6) Open 4K Capture Utility to start capturing right away, or add 4K X to your preferred streaming software such as OBS Studio, XSplit, Streamlabs Desktop, and more.

4K Capture Utility is available for download at elgato.com.

Using headphones while Switch is docked

The Nintendo Switch will not output game sound over HDMI if headphones are plugged into the headphone port.

Unplug headphones connected to the Switch headphone port to capture game sound via HDMI.

Below are some solutions for using headphones. 

Solution #1) Use the TV/Monitor headphone port

Some TVs and most computer monitors have headphone ports located at the rear. 

Connect your headphones directly to the TV or monitor instead of the Switch.

Audio will go from the Switch to the capture card, then to the display via HDMI, and then to your headphones via the headphone port. 

Solution #2) Use Elgato Chat Link Pro

Using headphones and capturing game audio can be done by using Elgato Chat Link Pro. Learn more about Chat Link Pro here.

Solution #3) Use software audio playback

Some software such as 4K Capture Utility and OBS Studio can playback capture device sound to headphones connected to a PC. 

Software sound playback will have slightly higher latency than the other two solutions. 

OBS Studio

1) Right-click inside the audio mixer and select Advanced Audio Properties.

2) Find the 4K X source and select "Monitor and Output" in the Audio Monitoring column.

3) If the audio has a slight echo, mute desktop audio in the audio mixer or the advanced audio properties, and select "Monitor only (Mute output).