Switch game card error [Complete Guide]

The world has all gone digital. We do not buy physical disks anymore. All the games have gone more or less digital. For the same reason, we don’t see disk drive on pc anymore.

It is not just the PC; consoles are also going digital. The PlayStation 5 has a digital version also launched their series s which doesn’t have any optical disk drive. Except for that one console, yes, you have guessed it right. The Nintendo Switch!

The game card or the cartridges are still relevant in the world of Nintendo, and I don’t think they are going anywhere anytime soon.

Can switch cartridges get damaged?

People have been getting switch game card errors for some time, and it is pretty annoying when you pay 60$ for a game, and you cannot even play it.

As a fellow Nintendo switch user, I will be explaining how you can fix this problem with some simple steps.

So keep reading till the end to get your desired fix.

Why can’t my switch read my game card?

It happens from time to time. It might be because of the continuous removal and reinstallation of the cartridges. I’d be concerned if it refused to recognize the cartridges after many attempts, but otherwise, it’s not a significant matter and doesn’t require bringing the complete machine in for repair.

Defective or damaged game cards could be the source of this problem. If this occurs with more than one game, it may be potentially a problem with the console’s game card reader, which should be checked. Many folks recommend that you try blowing into the console and on the cartridge to see if it helps to solve game card read issues. People have been doing it since the NES days.

Though breathing into the console is strictly discouraged since the moisture in your breath may induce corrosion on the card and console contact points, which can ultimately lead to irreparable damage.

It is important to determine if the issue is with the console or with the game itself as your first step. Whether you have another game, check to see if it is compatible with your device. For testing reasons, if you don’t have many games, ask your friends who own a Switch if you may borrow one of their games.

The console is most likely the source of the issue. The cartridge slot can be cleaned using compressed air if there is any junk in it. As a last resort, you should follow Nintendo’s troubleshooting instructions and, if necessary, get your console repaired.

All you have to do is go through our latest Long Do Nintendo Switch Charge Last.

Check the cartridge’s contacts to make sure there are no obstructions and clean them as necessary. The only way to tell whether there is an issue with the system is to play the game on a different Switch. Ask if any of your friends have a Switch so that you may play the game on their system. As an alternative, if you don’t have a console of your own, you may always visit your local used-game shop, where you can play the game before trading it in.

If it doesn’t function on any console, you’re out of luck unless you’re still inside the return window for the merchant who sold it to you. You can contact Nintendo about the problem, but you’ll probably want to replace the game. You could find a good price at a secondhand gaming shop.

It’s conceivable that anything on the cartridge or within the switch is interfering with the cartridge’s ability to be read, making the cartridge difficult to read. This is something I’ve experienced previously.

Clean it off using a shirt or any other kind of cloth that is gentle. Remove the cartridge and clean the contacts of the game card with a soft, unused toothbrush gently moistened with a little amount of rubbing alcohol before replacing it. Reinsert it and retry. If it doesn’t work, clean the cartridge slot.

Restarting Nintendo Switch also helps. Keep your Switch up to date since outdated system firmware may cause gaming errors. This works with Wii U and other discs. Reinstall it and test it. If not, contact Nintendo Support.

How to fix switch game card error

As we all know, Nintendo is still yet to release a console that is all digital, quite an exception as all the other big companies have already released an all-digital console.

A Nintendo Switch game may be installed in one of two methods. Purchasing a digital game via Nintendo Switch Online is one option while purchasing a physical card is another.

Owning a physical game cartridge has the disadvantage, as you’ve undoubtedly already learned, of being susceptible to damage or becoming unusable. Damage, scratches, or exposure to the environment might cause the card to malfunction.

When there is a game card error, you will see things like “The program was unable to start. Return to the menu and try once again” or ‘The game card slot is empty,” and worse you will see is “The System Does Not Recognize the Entry of a Game Card.”

I have already discussed why this error shows up, so let’s just dive into the troubleshooting methods.

Check our separate post for Is Nintendo Switch Worth It.

Here are the steps to fix switch game card error:

1. Update the Nintendo Switch

Sometimes you need to update your Nintendo Switch in order to play some games. Because the game requires the latest version of the Nintendo Switch, and if you don’t update the console, then the console cannot read the game card.

Here are the steps to update Nintendo Switch:

1. Go to settings.
2. Scroll down to the system.
3. Press A on update system software.
4. Download and install the update.

After the update, turn off the console and then insert the game card again. Hopefully, it will work.

Check our separate post on how you can fix the Nintendo Switch Controller Not Charging.

2. Restart Nintendo Switch

Every time there is a minor issue with your switch first thing you should do is to restart the console. Rebooting the console will clear out the minor glitches on its own. The Nintendo Switch should be restarted with the game card still in place. When the Switch is restarted, the card put in the slot will be recognized. Several people have benefited from this method. You should try out your luck as well.

Here are the steps to restart the Nintendo switch:

1. Press and hold the power button.
2. Select power options.
3. Press A on restart console.

When the console boots up again, click on the game you have been facing trouble with. It should work if the problem is still there, follow the next method.

3. Reset Cache

If there is possible data corruption, it can prevent your console from reading the game card. If the cache on your Nintendo Switch is faulty, you may get the game card error, and emptying the cache on your Switch may fix the issue.

Here are the steps to reset the cache of Nintendo switch:

1. Navigate to settings.
2. Look for the system.
3. Press A on formatting options.
4. Select reset cache.
5. Press reset to clear out the cache.

After clearing the cache, turn off your console and reinsert the game card; hopefully, it will fix the problem.

So, let’s get started by getting the latest problem fixing Nintendo Switch Not Reading SD Card.

4. Clean the game card and slot

Try cleaning out the game card slot of any dirt or dust. Dust particles may prevent data flow between the game card and the Nintendo Switch, causing this error. Consider cleaning your game card or game card slot.

To begin, shut off the Nintendo Switch. To get a good view of the game card reader slot, place your Switch in an upright posture. Mix rubbing alcohol with water in a bottle. Then apply it with a cotton swab. Make certain that the cotton is not dripping with the solution.

Insert the cotton swab into the Nintendo game card reader slot and carefully clean it. Make sure you don’t scratch the metal pins. Allow the slot to dry fully before closing it.

After cleaning the slot and the game card and then fully drying them out, reinsert the game card into the slot and turn on your Nintendo switch. This should fix the problem. If you are certain that the game card is working fine in other consoles, then do take your Nintendo to a repair shop and replace the card slot or claim a warranty from Nintendo.

Follow our guide on Can a Nintendo Switch Be Blacklisted.

Final Thoughts

Game cards are still relevant in the world of Nintendo. And using them, again and again, can wear out the reading capability of the cartridge. Nintendo, at this point, should glorify going all digital and handier as the switch is all about portability.

Hoping you can fix your issue with this guideline, and for future queries, do reach us out.