"2618-0516" Error Code Fix for Nintendo Switch

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

The Nintendo Switch is designed to go wherever you do, transforming from home console to portable system in a snap. So you get more time to play the games you love, however you like.

You may encounter a 2618-0516 error while trying to connect to another player. This error code generally indicates that your network is not optimal for peer to peer connections, likely due to your network's NAT (Network Address Translator) type.

Nintendo Switch 2618-0516 error code image

This guide will assist you in resolving this error.

2. Power Cycle Home Network

  1. Remove the power cable from both your modem and router.
Modem and router power cycle procedure.


  1. Verify all lights are off on the modem and router.
  2. After 30 seconds, plug in your modem and then your router.
  3. It may take a few minutes for the internet to reconnect.

3. Configure DMZ

Find Your Router's IP

For Machines Running Windows 10

  1. Using your right mouse button, right click on the Start menu.
Windows 10 Start Menu.
  1. From the menu, select Windows PowerShell.
Start menu right-click menu with Windows PowerShell highlighted.
  1. In the PowerShell window, type ipconfig, and press enter.
PowerShell with ipconfig command highlighted.
  1. Look at the information shown. Find the line that says Default Gateway, and make note of the address. Yours may be different from this example.
ipconfig output with Default Gateway highlighted.
  1. Write down the address listed for Default Gateway, you will need it in just a moment.

For Machines Running macOS

  1. Select Apple menu > System Preferences.
Apple Menu with About This Mac highlighted.
  1. Select Network.
macOS Network Preferences.
  1. On the left, select your active network connection. It will have a green dot next to it.
Network Preferences with active connection highlighted.
  1. On the right, look for Router. Make note of the number listed here. Yours may be different than this example.
Network Preferences with Router highlighted.
  1. Write down the address listed for Default Gateway, you will need it in just a moment.

Open Your Router's Administration Page

  1. Open your preferred web browser. Look for one of these icons.
Main Desktop Browsers.
  1. Type the address you found above, and press return or enter.
Browser address bar with address filled in and highlighted.
  1. Type in your router's Administrator username and password, then Log In.
Router login with username, password, and log in highlighted.
  1. If you are not sure of your router's username and password, try some of these common defaults:
  2. Username:
  3. admin
  4. administrator
  5. user
  6. blank (as in, do not put in anything)
  7. Password:
  8. admin
  9. password
  10. user
  11. blank (as in, do not put in anything)

Set Static IP for Device

Setting a Static IP on your device only refers to your internal, home network. This has no effect on your Internet service.

It is critically important you setup a Static IP for your device, before you setup port forwarding. Without doing so, you could easily lose all your port forwarding setup, and expose other devices that may not be as well-secured to malicious attack on the Internet.

  1. Locate and identify where in your router's interface you can setup an Address Reservation. In this example, it was under Advanced > Setup > LAN Setup, then scroll down to Address Reservation at the bottom.
Address Reservation on Router.
  1. Select or enter the information required to assign a static address. Make note of the IP address you set as static for your device, you will need it in a moment.
Creating an Address Reservation.

  1. Write down the address you just assigned as static, you will need it in just a moment.

Set Up DMZ

  1. Locate the DMZ section of your router's configuration. In this example, it was under Advanced > Setup > WAN Setup.
Netgear dmz setup

  1. Enter the Internal IP you just statically assigned above then Apply your changes.
Netgear DMZ

4. Port Forwarding Warning

The following steps will provide general guidance on setting up port forwarding.

This is usually not necessary with modern devices, services, and programs, and carries with it a number of rather serious security concerns.

Also, these instructions will be general, and may be difficult to follow without knowing your specific router very well. Each router is slightly different in how they setup port forwarding, as well as exactly which menu, option, and area each step is located.

If you are having problems with a specific device getting online, it's recommended to review the article specific to troubleshooting that device here, or contact the device manufacturer before trying to use port forwarding to solve the problem.

Given the huge variation in routers, these instructions will not be exact, nor will you be able to follow them exactly to enable port forwarding. It is recommend you contact your router manufacturer if you need specific direction or are unable to locate the suggested areas to look.

5. Port Forwarding

Find Your Router's IP

For Machines Running Windows 10

  1. Using your right mouse button, right click on the Start menu.
Windows 10 Start Menu.
  1. From the menu, select Windows PowerShell.
Start menu right-click menu with Windows PowerShell highlighted.
  1. In the PowerShell window, type ipconfig, and press enter.
PowerShell with ipconfig command highlighted.
  1. Look at the information shown. Find the line that says Default Gateway, and make note of the address. Yours may be different from this example.
ipconfig output with Default Gateway highlighted.
  1. Write down the address listed for Default Gateway, you will need it in just a moment.

For Machines Running macOS

  1. Select Apple menu > System Preferences.
Apple Menu with About This Mac highlighted.
  1. Select Network.
macOS Network Preferences.
  1. On the left, select your active network connection. It will have a green dot next to it.
Network Preferences with active connection highlighted.
  1. On the right, look for Router. Make note of the number listed here. Yours may be different than this example.
Network Preferences with Router highlighted.
  1. Write down the address listed for Default Gateway, you will need it in just a moment.

Open Your Router's Administration Page

  1. Open your preferred web browser. Look for one of these icons.
Main Desktop Browsers.
  1. Type the address you found above, and press return or enter.
Browser address bar with address filled in and highlighted.
  1. Type in your router's Administrator username and password, then Log In.
Router login with username, password, and log in highlighted.
  1. If you are not sure of your router's username and password, try some of these common defaults:
  2. Username:
  3. admin
  4. administrator
  5. user
  6. blank (as in, do not put in anything)
  7. Password:
  8. admin
  9. password
  10. user
  11. blank (as in, do not put in anything)

Set Static IP for Device

Setting a Static IP on your device only refers to your internal, home network. This has no effect on your Internet service.

It is critically important you setup a Static IP for your device, before you setup port forwarding. Without doing so, you could easily lose all your port forwarding setup, and expose other devices that may not be as well-secured to malicious attack on the Internet.

  1. Locate and identify where in your router's interface you can setup an Address Reservation. In this example, it was under Advanced > Setup > LAN Setup, then scroll down to Address Reservation at the bottom.
Address Reservation on Router.
  1. Select or enter the information required to assign a static address. Make note of the IP address you set as static for your device, you will need it in a moment.
Creating an Address Reservation.

  1. Write down the address you just assigned as static, you will need it in just a moment.

Set Up Port Forwarding

  1. Locate the Port Forwarding section of your router's configuration. In this example, it was under Advanced > Advanced Setup > Port Forwarding / Port Triggering.
Router interface with Port Forwarding located.
  1. Enter the Internal IP you just statically assigned above, and the Port you want to forward, then Apply your changes.
Applying a port forward.

6. How to Update Your Router

Your router may benefit from a firmware update.

Show Me How

Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

7. What's next?

8. How to Bridge Your Internet Provider's Wireless Gateway to Use Your Personal Router

How to Use Bridge Mode on a Wireless Gateway