Nintendo Switch has been the go-to handheld console for some time. Many people thought it would just be a device we would use while we were away from our homes.
But in this recent pandemic, Nintendo Switch sold more than ever, which doesn’t make sense because we cannot travel anywhere in this quarantine period. Maybe people are loving the games that Nintendo is offering, or they want to spend some chill time in Animal crossing.
While we are away, we don’t need that much storage, but we need bigger storage now that we are at home.
What does error code 2005 0003 mean on the switch?
It is a huge bummer when you cannot download games on your Nintendo Switch because of this issue.
As a fellow Nintendo Switch owner, I get it. This is why I will be helping you out with this guideline, and your issue will be fixed in no time.
So keep reading till the end to get your desired solution.
Why are games not downloading on my switch?
A digital game that would not download is often due to a lack of available storage space on the console’s hard disk. 32 GB of storage capacity is provided by the Nintendo Switch, which is absurdly insufficient.
But you probably are watching this error because of the error code 2005-0003. Despite the fact that the Nintendo Switch error code 2005-0003 is a typical issue, it causes a great deal of frustration among players. When downloading or installing software from the Nintendo e-shop on the SD card of your game console, the 2005-0003 error code may appear on your Nintendo Switch.
The micro SD card you’re using is the most typical cause of this Nintendo Switch error code. Make sure the micro SD card in your console is not faulty by physically inspecting or doing software tests to confirm it is compliant and operating correctly.
Check our separate post for Is Nintendo Switch Worth It.
If you don’t format a microSD card before using it on your Nintendo Switch, unexpected problems may arise. If you’re using a microSD card that has been previously inserted into a device, you must do this procedure.
Using a microSD card on your Switch without formatting may result in a problem when you try to save anything to it since various devices have different operating systems. Data corruption is a regular outcome of using an unformatted MicroSD card.
Older versions of the Nintendo Switch system software may cause problems. Even if you aren’t having any problems, you should make sure to maintain your software up to date.
On the other hand, it can also take place because there is no storage left in your Nintendo Switch console. Since the Nintendo Switch’s internal capacity is so little, memory cards are almost a requirement these days.
Nintendo switch standard, and the lite one came out with 32 GB of inbuilt storage. But the OLED version of the switch came with 64GB, which was released in late 2021. On a 2021 console, 64GB of storage isn’t going to be enough. If you don’t have a microSD card, you can’t play NBA on either the regular Switch or the Nintendo Switch Lite.
If you wish to play your games digitally on the Nintendo Switch, you’ll need a MicroSD card. A new system with 32GB of inbuilt memory does not include the cost of a microSD card.
Even if you prefer physical copies, keep in mind that the Nintendo Switch will need more storage space if you want to download more games or updates. There will also be a lot of room for images and video clips.
So it is better to Use a MicroSD card to store all of your downloaded entertainment and games. If you want to play a lot of games on the Nintendo Switch, you should get a microSD card with at least 128 GB of storage space.
Check our separate post on how you can fix the Nintendo Switch Controller Not Charging.
How to fix Nintendo Switch Error Code 2005-0003
Nintendo Switch isn’t flawless, but that’s to be expected from any gaming device. When it comes to the storage issue, it can be a tricky one. You need to find out why this is happening, and your SD card can be the biggest culprit behind this.
It will show up when you try to download a software update or a new game on Nintendo Switch. But it is more apparent When you try to download games with a cheap or generic SD card, the error code 2005-0003 comes up.
Nintendo Switch only accepts microSD cards. SD and miniSD cards can’t be used on a Nintendo Switch. A Switch is compatible with the following three kinds of microSD cards:
- MicroSD
- MicroSDHC
- MicroSDXC
For microSDXC cards, ensure sure the system software is updated.
If any of your SD cards are not compatible with your Nintendo Switch, you may have difficulties identifying your SD card.
Occasionally, a firmware flaw in an SD card might cause it to malfunction, resulting in errors. Rebooting, doing a factory reset, or reformatting the card may all be used to remedy difficulties caused by firmware faults inside the card itself. It is possible that a damaged SD card will not function.
If you are inserting a microSD card for the first time, check to be that it is compatible and functional before proceeding. If there is any apparent evidence of damage, it is possible that this is the cause of the problem.
All you have to do is go through our latest Long Do Nintendo Switch Charge Last.
Now that we know what are the possible reasoning. Let’s dive into the troubleshooting process.
Here are the steps to fix Nintendo Switch Error Code 2005-003:
1. Power Cycle the Nintendo Switch
A simple restart could solve this. When there are problems or errors, this is the first thing to do.
Here are the steps you need to take to restart the Nintendo switch:
- Press and hold the power button.
- Tap on power options.
- Select power off.
After the shutdown, restart the Nintendo device by pressing the power button. Then go to Eshop and download the game you were previously downloading. Hopefully, power cycling the Nintendo Switch will fix your issue. But if the problem is still there, follow the next method.
So, let’s get started by getting the latest problem fixing Nintendo Switch Not Reading SD Card.
2. Update Nintendo Switch
If you have the MicroSDXC SD card, then updating your Nintendo firmware is a must. This is also the first troubleshooting method provided by Nintendo.
Here are the steps to update your Nintendo Switch:
- Go to settings.
- Look for the system.
- Press A on System updates.
- Download the update
- Update your Nintendo Switch.
After the update, go to Nintendo eshop and try to download the game you were trying to download.
3. Reinsert the SD card
Sometimes your SD card might get displaced, which can create this issue. So it will be better if you turn the console off and reinsert the sd card.
Here are the steps to reinsert the SD card:
- Press the power button.
- Turn off the Switch.
- Open the kickstand.
- Take out the sd card.
- Clean it with a firm cloth.
- Insert The microSD card.
- Turn on the switch.
If your SD card is compatible with your Switch and there is no physical damage, then it should work by this point. If the problem is still there, then follow the next method.
Here’s a complete guide on how to solve Nintendo Switch Error Code 2137-8056.
4. Format the SD card
The SD card may need to be reformatted if your Nintendo Switch recognizes the card, but there is a problem with it that won’t go away on its own.
Here are the steps to format your microSD card on Nintendo Switch:
- Navigate to Home.
- Go to system settings.
- Scroll down to the system.
- Look for formatting options.
- Choose the microSD card to format.
After the format, the console will restart. Head over to the Nintendo Eshop and download the game you were trying to download. Hopefully, your issue will be gone following this method.
A reformat completely wipes out all of the data on the card, and the information can no longer be retrieved when the procedure is completed.
If you don’t want to lose any of the data on your SD card, you might consider creating a backup of them on your computer. Downloadable software, such as DLCs, may be redownloaded after they have been used, so you do not have to be concerned about them.
Final Thoughts
A microSD card is an absolute must for the Nintendo Switch. But as the other technology is evolving rapidly, the microSD cards are yet to match the quality of standard storage for a console.
I can only hope you solved your issue with the SD card reading this guideline. And if you still have any queries, you can always reach out to us.
