Forgetting your Nintendo Switch Parental Controls PIN can be frustrating, especially when you need to change a restriction, adjust settings, or access a feature that’s currently locked. The good news is that you don’t have to factory-reset your Nintendo Switch just because you’ve forgotten the PIN.
Nintendo provides an official way to recover or reset the Parental Controls PIN. The exact method depends on whether your Switch is connected to the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on a smartphone or tablet.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the process step by step. Whether your Switch is linked to the app or you’re managing Parental Controls directly from the console, you’ll find the appropriate method below.
Reset Nintendo Switch Parental PIN [Complete Guide]
To reset a forgotten Nintendo Switch Parental Controls PIN, open the Parental Controls screen on your Switch and select Help by pressing the + or – button. Choose Forgot PIN, write down the displayed Inquiry Number, and use Nintendo’s official PIN reset process to obtain a reset key. If your Switch is linked to the Parental Controls app, you can also view the current PIN directly in the app.
Before you start, it’s important to determine whether your Nintendo Switch is connected to the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. This matters because the app can display the current PIN, while an unlinked console requires you to use the Forgot PIN process.
Also, don’t keep guessing random PINs. Nintendo states that entering an incorrect PIN six times within 30 minutes temporarily blocks additional attempts for 30 minutes.
Step 1: Check Whether Your Switch Is Linked to the Parental Controls App
The first thing to check is whether your console is connected to the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. You can do this directly from the Switch without knowing the existing PIN.
Go to HOME Menu > System Settings > Parental Controls.
Look at the options displayed on the screen. If you see “Sync with Nintendo Switch Parental Controls App” and “Unregister App”, your Switch is linked to the smartphone app. If you see “Parental Controls Settings” or “Change Settings”, the console isn’t currently linked to the app.
Once you’ve confirmed the setup, continue with the method that matches your situation.
Step 2: Check the Current PIN in the Parental Controls App
If your Nintendo Switch is linked to the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app and you still have access to the smartphone or tablet that has the app installed, you may not need to reset anything.
Open the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your iPhone or Android device. From there, open the settings for the appropriate console.
Go to Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app > Console Settings > PIN.
The app should display the current Parental Controls PIN associated with that console. If you simply forgot the PIN, this is the easiest solution because you can retrieve the existing PIN instead of creating a new one.
If you’ve linked multiple Nintendo Switch consoles to the app, make sure you’re viewing the settings for the correct console before using the displayed PIN.
Step 3: Open the Forgot PIN Screen on Your Nintendo Switch
If you don’t have access to the linked smartphone or your Switch isn’t connected to the Parental Controls app, you can begin the PIN recovery process from the console.
Go to HOME Menu > Parental Controls icon > Enter PIN screen.
When the console asks for your PIN, select the option that lets you access Help. On a standard Nintendo Switch, you can press the + Button or – Button to open the Help screen.
Next, scroll down until you find the Forgot PIN section.
This screen is important because Nintendo will display an Inquiry Number that is needed for the PIN reset process.
Step 4: Write Down the Inquiry Number
After opening the Forgot PIN section, carefully record the Inquiry Number shown on your Switch.
Don’t close this screen or go back to another menu after recording the number. Nintendo specifically warns that leaving the Inquiry Number screen and returning later can cause a new Inquiry Number to be generated. The previous number will then no longer work for the reset process.
It’s a good idea to double-check every digit before continuing. A single incorrect digit can prevent the reset process from working correctly.
Step 5: Use Nintendo’s PIN Reset Process
Once you have the Inquiry Number, use Nintendo’s official Parental Controls PIN reset process.
The reset process uses the information displayed by your console to generate the necessary reset credentials. An email address is required for the online reset service.
Enter the requested information carefully, including the Inquiry Number from your Switch. Follow the instructions provided by Nintendo to complete the verification and receive the information needed to reset your PIN.
This is the recommended method if you’ve forgotten the PIN and can’t retrieve it through the smartphone app.
Step 6: Create a New Parental Controls PIN
After completing the reset process, return to your Nintendo Switch and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new Parental Controls PIN.
Choose a PIN that you can remember, but that isn’t obvious to someone who shouldn’t have access to the parental settings.
The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls system supports a 4- to 8-digit PIN, so you have flexibility when creating the new code.
Enter the new PIN when prompted and confirm it. Your new PIN will then be used whenever the console requires authorization to change Parental Controls settings.
Step 7: Verify the New PIN
After setting the new PIN, don’t immediately leave the settings menu. Take a moment to verify that the new code works.
Go to HOME Menu > System Settings > Parental Controls > Change Settings.
When prompted, enter the new PIN you just created.
If the console accepts it, your PIN has been successfully changed. You can now modify the available Parental Controls settings without going through the recovery process again.
If the PIN doesn’t work, avoid repeatedly entering random numbers because Nintendo temporarily blocks PIN attempts after too many incorrect entries.
Step 8: Secure Your New PIN
Once everything is working, make sure you don’t forget the new Parental Controls PIN.
If you’re using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app, keeping the console properly linked can make future PIN management easier because the app can display the current PIN.
You should also avoid using extremely predictable combinations such as 1234, 0000, or a simple birthday. The purpose of the PIN is to prevent unauthorized changes to the restrictions you’ve configured.
If multiple adults manage the console, make sure the people who legitimately need access know where the PIN is securely stored.
What If You Don’t Have Access to the Email Address?
If you cannot provide an email address required by Nintendo’s PIN reset process, Nintendo recommends contacting its support team for additional assistance.
In this situation, don’t rely on unofficial PIN generators or third-party websites claiming they can instantly unlock your Nintendo Switch. Use Nintendo’s official recovery process instead.
What If My Switch Is Linked to the App but I Can’t Access My Phone?
If the Switch is linked to the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app but you no longer have access to the linked smart device, you can use the console’s Forgot PIN process.
Go to HOME Menu > Parental Controls icon > Help > Forgot PIN.
Record the Inquiry Number and continue with Nintendo’s official PIN reset process. Remember that you should stay on the Inquiry Number screen because leaving it can invalidate the number you’re using.
Faqs
Can I reset my Nintendo Switch Parental Controls PIN without factory resetting the console?
Yes. A factory reset isn’t necessary simply because you’ve forgotten the Parental Controls PIN. Nintendo provides a dedicated recovery and reset process using the Inquiry Number.
Can I see my forgotten PIN?
Yes, if your Nintendo Switch is linked to the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app and you still have access to the linked device. Open the app and navigate to the console’s PIN settings to view the current PIN.
How many times can I enter the wrong PIN?
Nintendo states that entering an incorrect PIN six times within 30 minutes will temporarily prevent additional attempts for 30 minutes. A countdown timer will appear on the screen.
Will resetting the Parental Controls PIN delete my games?
No. Resetting the Parental Controls PIN is not the same as performing a factory reset. The PIN recovery process is designed to restore access to Parental Controls without requiring you to erase the console.
What is the Inquiry Number?
The Inquiry Number is a temporary number displayed by the Nintendo Switch when you select the Forgot PIN option. Nintendo uses it as part of the process for resetting a forgotten Parental Controls PIN.
Can I choose a new PIN after recovering the old one?
Yes. Once you regain access to your Parental Controls settings, you can change the PIN to a new 4 to 8 digit code.
Summary
Forgetting your Nintendo Switch Parental Controls PIN doesn’t mean you’re locked out permanently, and you don’t need to jump straight to a factory reset.
If your Switch is connected to the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app, check the app first because it can display the current PIN. If you don’t have access to the app or the console isn’t linked, open the Parental Controls screen, select Help, choose Forgot PIN, and record the Inquiry Number.
From there, use Nintendo’s official PIN reset process to recover access and create a new PIN. Most importantly, don’t leave the Inquiry Number screen before completing the recovery process, and avoid repeatedly guessing the PIN because Nintendo temporarily blocks attempts after too many incorrect entries.
Following these steps gives you a straightforward way to reset your Nintendo Switch Parental Controls PIN while keeping your console and personal data intact.