Abstract:
A modding enthusiast mkopec modified the firmware to allow a Cable Matters 7-in-1 USB-C docking station, which costs about 40 euros or about 45 US dollars, to support Nintendo Switch 2 TV output. A regular USB-C docking station can charge the console, but cannot output images because the Switch 2 first checks whether the dock can respond to Nintendo's proprietary communication handshake.
mkopec used a USB-C protocol analyzer to listen to the communication between the official dock and the host, and added approximately 540 bytes of code to the dock's VIA Labs VL103 power management chip, allowing it to respond to Nintendo's manufacturer-specific messages and copy the official dock's complete device identity information. Simply pretending to be a Nintendo manufacturer number was not enough. The Switch 2 did not enter TV mode until the patch provided complete identity information. After completing the version query response, the connection process was shortened by about 3 seconds.
After connecting to the TV, the modder found that the HDR picture was gray. He also wrote about a 108-byte patch for the Realtek RTD2142 display conversion chip of the docking station to correct the color space marking of HDMI output and solve the HDR color problem. The modified docking station can simultaneously power the host and output TV images and HDR content via HDMI; it can still connect to computers and mobile phones as before.
However, this package is not a complete replacement. Switch 2 will open the variable refresh rate (VRR) option because the docking station pretends to be an official device, but this docking station cannot handle VRR correctly, and the screen may freeze after it is turned on, so modders recommend turning it off. There are still color issues with HDR output via the dock's DisplayPort interface, and the USB port and Ethernet functionality haven't been fully tested. The patch will also reduce the reserved power supply of the docking station itself from 7 watts to 3 watts. It is not suitable to connect USB devices that consume large amounts of power in dock mode.
The patch is currently only applicable to the specific model Cable Matters 201031-BLK and its corresponding original firmware. Other docking stations with similar appearance may also use different chips and cannot be directly applied. The operation requires a Linux computer and a firmware flashing tool. Flashing errors may cause damage to the docking station; the developer has only tested on one docking station, specific chip firmware, and the November 2026 version of Switch 2 system software. Nintendo's past system updates have caused multiple third-party docks to lose video output, so future updates may also disable this modification.
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