Nintendo Switch consoles - get help with Switch error codes and system errors

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Select OK to close error message, then select Continue to attempt download again. Repeat a few times if needed

Retry the download

Hold the power button for 12 seconds, then restart

Restart your Nintendo Switch

Clear cache and restart

Use Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1)

Change DNS settings

Test internet connection in System Settings > Internet

Check internet connection

Initialize console (keep save data)

If installing from microSD, archive the title → redownload to internal memory

Move the game to internal storage

Game download or update failed

Not hardware-related. Triggered by region lock in account metadata. Using LAN adapter or microSD does not resolve unless region is changed.

	1.	Log in at accounts.nintendo.com → Profile → Country/Region.
	2.	Pick a territory with a live eShop (US, JP, etc.).
	3.	Re-launch eShop on the Switch.

Nintendo-Account country/region change

reboot after changing country if eShop still shows the error.

eShop not available in your region

This is almost always a network configuration or environmental issue rather than a hardware fault with the Switch. The error is related to the initial handshake between the console and the router. A faulty Wi-Fi chip in the Switch is extremely rare but possible if no networks can ever be detected on any router.

Hold the POWER button on the Switch for three seconds, select 'Power Options', then 'Restart'. Unplug your modem and router from power for 60 seconds before plugging them back in. Wait for them to fully reboot before trying to connect again.

Restart Console and Network Hardware

Bring the Nintendo Switch within 10-15 feet (3-5 meters) of your wireless router to ensure a strong signal. Remove any physical obstructions between the devices.

Move Closer to the Router

From the Internet settings, select 'Manual Setup'. You will need to enter your network's SSID (Wi-Fi name), security type (e.g., WPA2-PSK), and password. This can sometimes find networks that an automatic scan misses.

Manually Create a Connection

Log in to your router's settings and try changing the wireless band. If you are on a 5 GHz band, try switching to 2.4 GHz, as it has a longer range. The Switch is compatible with both.

Change Router's Wireless Frequency Band

Ensure your router's SSID Broadcast is enabled. If it's turned off, your Wi-Fi network will be hidden, and the Switch will not be able to find it automatically.

Check Router's SSID Broadcast Setting

Could Not Connect to Network

The code indicates a server-side handshake failure; no evidence points to faulty Wi-Fi hardware or NAND.

Slow or congested 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi channels exacerbate the timeout; tests show switching to 5 GHz eliminates the error for many users.

Users with mesh systems report success after forcing the Switch onto a node that is not doing DFS channel hopping.

Check Nintendo's network status page—if services are "red" or "orange," the only fix is to wait until they return to "green."

Check Nintendo server status; if down, wait and retry later.

Power-cycle the router (unplug 30 s; console POWER 12 s) and retry the download.

Power-cycle router and console

Switch to 5 GHz Wi-Fi or wired LAN adapter via dock; reconnect eShop.

Switch to 5 GHz Wi-Fi or wired LAN adapter

Manually set DNS to 8.8.8.8 / 1.1.1.1 (Settings → Internet → DNS Manual).

Manually set DNS to 8.8.8.8 / 1.1.1.1

Retry during off-peak hours (after midnight local) when traffic is low; downloads usually finish in minutes.

Retry during off-peak hours

Switch Error 2811-7429 – Unable to Connect to Nintendo eShop

Error is network-layer only—no evidence of Joy-Con, Wi-Fi card, or NAND failure.

Poor 2.4 GHz congestion or DFS channel hops on mesh routers commonly trigger the timeout; 5 GHz or wired links usually restore connectivity.

Move closer to your router to ensure strong signal strength before attempting to sign in again

Move the console within 3 m (10 ft) of the router and retry sign-in

Restart both your network equipment and console to refresh the connection

Power-cycle modem/router (unplug 30 s) and reboot the Switch (hold POWER 12 s)

Switch to 5 GHz wireless band or use wired connection through the dock for more stable connectivity

Change Wi-Fi band to 5 GHz or connect a USB-C LAN adapter via the dock

Configure manual DNS settings to bypass potential DNS issues with your ISP

Edit Internet Settings → DNS Manual → set 8.8.8.8 / 1.1.1.1, then test connection

Turn off any network filtering that might be blocking Nintendo's services

Temporarily disable network firewalls, ad-block DNS, or app-level blocks (Fortnite, YouTube) that can interrupt Nintendo servers

Try again during less busy times when Nintendo's servers aren't experiencing heavy load

Wait and retry during off-peak hours; large service-status outages resolve once server load drops

Unable to Sign-In to Nintendo Account / eShop

Purely a network handshake failure—no link to Joy-Con, Wi-Fi card, or NAND hardware.

DNS filtering and IPv6 mis-negotiation on certain ISPs (Comcast, BT) are common triggers.

Power cycle both your console and router, then test the internet connection in system settings

Restart Switch and router; retest Internet connection

Remove existing Wi-Fi connection and set up a new one, choosing 5 GHz frequency if available

Delete and recreate Wi-Fi profile; prefer 5 GHz band

Configure manual DNS settings in Internet settings to use Google or Cloudflare DNS

Connect via wired ethernet using a USB-C to LAN adapter through the dock

Use a USB-C LAN adapter in the dock to bypass Wi-Fi

Check Nintendo's service status and try again during less busy periods

Retry during off-peak hours or after Nintendo service-status returns to normal

Unable to Connect to eShop / Online Services

This error points directly to a problem with the microSD card's integrity. It can be caused by a low-quality or counterfeit card that cannot handle the read/write speeds, or a legitimate card that has developed bad sectors over time. It is very rarely an issue with the Switch's card reader.

Go to System Settings > Data Management > Manage Software. Select the problematic game, then choose 'Check for Corrupt Data'. The system will attempt to find and redownload any bad files.

Check for Corrupt Data

From the same 'Manage Software' menu, select 'Archive Software'. This deletes the game data but keeps your icon and save data. Then, select the game icon on the HOME Menu to redownload it.

Archive and Redownload the Game

Go to System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System / microSD Card. Try moving the problematic game from the microSD card to the system memory. If it launches correctly from system memory, the issue is with the card.

Move Data Between System and SD Card

Back up any screenshots to a PC if needed. Go to System Settings > System > Formatting Options > Format microSD Card. Follow the prompts to completely erase and reformat the card for use with the Switch.

Format the microSD Card

Corrupted microSD Card Data

This is a financial transaction and account-related error. It is completely unrelated to the Nintendo Switch console hardware.

Carefully re-enter your credit card information. Pay close attention to the billing postal code; it must match the postal code associated with your credit card statement exactly.

Verify All Credit Card Information

Link your PayPal account to your Nintendo Account. You can do this through the eShop or the Nintendo website. Purchasing through PayPal often bypasses direct credit card verification issues.

Use PayPal as a Payment Method

If you have another credit or debit card, try using it. Some card issuers have stricter online verification that may conflict with Nintendo's system.

Try a Different Credit Card

Buy a digital or physical Nintendo eShop gift card from a retailer. You can then redeem the code on the eShop to add funds to your account and make purchases without a credit card.

Purchase a Nintendo eShop Card

Call the customer service number on the back of your card. Ask them if they see a transaction attempt from Nintendo and why it was blocked. They may need to authorize the transaction on their end.

Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Issuer

Credit Card Processing Error

This is a software and network-level error. It is not caused by a hardware malfunction of the Nintendo Switch console. The problem lies in the console's ability to communicate with Nintendo's account servers.

Hold the POWER button for three seconds, then select 'Power Options' > 'Restart'. A simple reboot can clear temporary software glitches preventing the connection.

Restart the Nintendo Switch

Unplug your modem and router for at least 60 seconds. Plug them back in, wait for them to fully initialize, and then try the account linking process on the Switch again.

Power Cycle Your Home Network

Go to System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings. Select your network, choose 'Change Settings', and manually set the DNS to Primary: 8.8.8.8 and Secondary: 8.8.4.4. This can bypass local DNS issues.

Change DNS Settings

If you are on a network with active parental controls or a firewall (like a school or workplace network), they may be blocking the servers needed for account verification. Try using a different network, such as a mobile hotspot, to complete the process.

Check for Parental Controls or Firewall Blocks

Nintendo Account Linking Failure

The OSOD is a well-documented hardware failure. While any system crash can theoretically cause a colored screen, the recurring orange screen is overwhelmingly linked to a fault in the Broadcom Wi-Fi IC. When this chip fails to initialize correctly, it causes a kernel panic that manifests as the orange screen. Attempting to use the console in Airplane Mode does not prevent this, as the chip is still checked during boot.

Press and hold the POWER button on the top of the console for 15-20 seconds, until the screen turns off completely. Wait for 30 seconds, then press the POWER button again to restart the console. This is the primary official fix and may work temporarily.

Perform a Hard Reset

With the console powered off, press and hold both the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons, then press the POWER button. Continue holding the volume buttons until the Maintenance Mode menu appears. From here, you can try 'Update System' without deleting save data. This can sometimes fix it if the issue was caused by a corrupted update.

Boot into Recovery Mode (Maintenance Mode)

If the orange screen returns, it almost always indicates a hardware failure of the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth IC on the motherboard. The chip may have failed or developed cracked solder joints underneath. This requires professional micro-soldering repair to replace or re-solder the chip. Do not attempt this yourself without extensive experience.

Professional Repair (Wi-Fi Chip)

System Freezes on a Solid Orange Screen

The 2811-5001 error is almost never a hardware problem. It's a classic network communication error where the console successfully connects to your router but fails to resolve the address for Nintendo's servers. This is why manually specifying a public DNS server is the most effective fix.

First, perform a full restart of your Switch console by holding the POWER button for 3 seconds and selecting 'Power Options' > 'Restart'. At the same time, unplug your Wi-Fi router for 60 seconds and plug it back in.

Restart Your Switch and Router

Go to System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings. Select your current network and choose 'Change Settings'. Scroll down to 'DNS Settings' and change it from 'Automatic' to 'Manual'. For the Primary DNS, enter 8.8.8.8. For the Secondary DNS, enter 8.8.4.4. Save the settings.

Manually Change DNS Settings

If the Google DNS (8.8.8.8) does not work, follow the same steps to change the DNS manually, but use Cloudflare's DNS instead. Set Primary DNS to 1.1.1.1 and Secondary DNS to 1.0.0.1.

Try an Alternate Public DNS

Move the Nintendo Switch console closer to your wireless router, within 10 to 15 feet. Ensure there are no large metal objects or other electronic devices between the console and the router.

Improve Wireless Signal

eShop or Online Service Connection Error

This is a networking configuration error, not a Nintendo Switch hardware fault. The issue lies entirely with how your home router and Internet Service Provider (ISP) handle peer-to-peer connections. Some ISPs use Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT), which can make it very difficult to achieve an Open NAT type without contacting them.

First, restart your Nintendo Switch from the Power Options menu. Then, unplug your modem and router for at least 60 seconds. Plug them back in, wait for them to fully connect, and then test your connection on the Switch again.

Restart Your Switch and Home Network

Go to System Settings > Internet > Test Connection. Wait for the test to complete. The result will display your 'NAT Type'. Type A or B is ideal. Type C, D, or F will cause this error.

Check Your NAT Type

Log into your router's settings from a PC or phone. Find a setting called 'UPnP' (Universal Plug and Play) and ensure it is enabled. This allows the Switch to automatically open the necessary ports.

Enable UPnP on Your Router

This is a powerful but less secure fix. In your router's settings, find the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) page. You will need to find the IP Address of your Switch (from the Switch's Internet settings) and enter it into the DMZ field. This opens all ports to your console.

Place the Switch in the Router's DMZ

This is the most secure advanced solution. In your router's port forwarding section, create a rule to forward UDP ports in the range of 1 through 65535 to your Switch's IP address. This allows all necessary game data to reach your console.

Manually Forward Ports

Online Matchmaking Failed (Strict NAT Type)

Error 2137-8006 is primarily a network connectivity issue rather than hardware failure. However, consistent timeouts across multiple networks may indicate Wi-Fi antenna issues in the console.

Hold the POWER button for 3 seconds → select 'Power Options' → 'Restart'. Then unplug your router and modem for 60 seconds, plug back in and wait for full initialization.

Restart Console and Power Cycle Network

Place the Nintendo Switch within 3-5 meters (10-15 feet) of your wireless router. Remove the console from the dock if needed to get better signal strength.

Move Closer to Router

System Settings → Internet → Advanced Settings → DNS Settings → Manual. Set Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8, Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS).

If your router supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, connect to the other band. Create a new internet connection and select the less congested frequency.

Switch Wi-Fi Band

Move metal objects, phones, microwaves, and other electronic devices away from both the console and router to reduce wireless interference.

Remove Wireless Interference

System Settings → Internet → Internet Settings → '+' to add new connection. Set up fresh connection with optimal settings.

Create New Internet Connection

eShop Download Timeout - Large Games & Updates

Get help with Switch error codes and system errors

Nintendo Switch Error Codes

Common Nintendo Switch Error Codes

2123-1502

2813-0998

2110-1100

2811-7429

2124-8028

2811-5003

2002-4373

2813-2470

2160-8007

Orange Screen of Death (OSOD)

2811-5001

2618-0513

2137-8006