[7 Easy Ways] – How to Fix Nintendo Switch Game Card Error?

How to fix the Nintendo switch not reading SD card?

To fix the Nintendo switch not reading SD card, you can begin with restarting your switch and see if the issue resolves. Take out the game card and check for the damage. If it seems damaged, you can try inserting another game card. Besides, make sure the game card slot is free of debris.

The key to fixing the Nintendo Switch card read error is simple; you need to understand whether the problem is with your console or your card.

Here are the methods to fix the Nintendo switch not reading SD card:

Fix 1: Begin by restarting your Nintendo switch

First and foremost, you should know that the Nintendo Switch game error could just be from a glitch. You can fix this by restarting your Nintendo Switch. Through this, you would be able to re-initialize the various hardware components of your console. Here’s how you do it:

1. Press the Nintendo Switch power button until the power menu appears on the screen.
2. On the power menu, you’ll find two options; “Sleep mode,” and “Power Options.” Press on the second option.
3. Select the option named “restart.”
4. When the console powers up again, check if the card read error is still appearing on the screen.
5. If the problem persists then remove the game card and turn off the switch. Be sure not to select the “sleep” option instead. Also, remove the console from charging before carrying out this.
6. Reinsert the card and power the console back on. If the Nintendo Switch lite won’t read games then move on with the other solutions.

Fix 2: Next, ensure your game card and its slot is clean

Sometimes, dust and debris can enter into the card slot causing the Nintendo Switch SD card problems. The particles tend to disrupt the data from being transferred into the console.

You need to ensure that both your card and your slot are clean but use a soft cloth and q-tip to clean it. Make sure that you’re careful and no damage is done to both.

Fix 3: Now, place the game card into the slot again

Another problem may be that you failed to insert the game card properly. Remove the game card from the console and reinsert it before turning it on. Make sure that the card is placed all the way into the slot. If you still see the card read error then move on to the other solutions.

Fix 4: Check if your Nintendo switch game card is damaged

While you might think that it’s your Nintendo Switch that may be malfunctioning, there is also a chance that the card you’re using is damaged. You can make sure this is not the case by using the followings:

1. Pick up another game card and insert it into the card slot. If the card read error doesn’t appear then it’s not your console that’s the problem.
2. Ask your friends with a Nintendo Switch if you could try your game card on their console. If it shows the error then you’ll have to change the cartridge.  

The cartridge can easily be replaced once you contact the seller. 

Fix 5: Remove the headphones from your Nintendo switch

One of the problems could be caused by a short-circuiting of the auxiliary port. This is found beside the card reader slot and unplugging the headphones could usually solve the problem. Here are the s you can follow for it:

1. If you have inserted the game card then remove it. Now, unplug your headphones from the port.
2. Once the headphones are unplugged, press the “Volume down” button until the sound is turned off.
3. Reinsert the game card and check if the Nintendo Switch game card error is resolved.

Fix 6: Did you fail to update your Nintendo switch?

The Nintendo Switch card read error could also be a result of not having the appropriate updates. First, you need to try upgrading the Nintendo Switch firmware. Here are the s you can follow:

1. Go to the “Settings” icon available on the home menu.
2. On the left pane, scroll down until you find the “System” option available there.
3. On the right-hand side, you will find an option named “System Update.” Select it.
4. Your update has now started, you will have to wait until it is completed.
5. If the Nintendo Switch game card error persists then check for a software update.

In order to upgrade your software, here are the s you can take:

1. Go to the Home menu.
2. Here, you will find the game icon. Select the one you want to update.
3. You will find the -/+ button on the bottom right of your Nintendo Switch. Select it.
4. Select the “Software Update” option first. Here, you’ll be led to more options. Select the one titled “Via the Internet.”
5. Your update has now begun. Wait till the update is complete to the Nintendo Switch game card error.

Fix 7: Finally, reset your Nintendo switch

If all the other solutions have been in vain, try clearing out the Nintendo Switch cache. There is a chance that it could be corrupt leading to Nintendo Switch game card error. Here are the s you can follow to do it:

1. Select the “System” tab in the “System Settings” on your Nintendo Switch.
2. Here, you will find an option named “Formatting Options.” Select it.
3. Now, you can select the “Reset Cache” available.
4. Once you have selected your user profile, you can click “reset” to clear the cache.
5. Wait for the cache to be cleared and then check if the Nintendo Switch SD card problems is resolved.

To ensure a reset without losing data, here’s what you do:

1. Power off your console.
2. Now, hold both the volume keys along with the power button. Do not release the keys until “recovery mode” appears on the screen.
3. Now select the option named “Restore Factory Settings.” You might be required to input the parental control pin if you had added it.
4. Move on to selecting “Next > Restore Factory Settings Without Deleting Save Data.”

Conclusion

If you have exhausted all your options, your only solution now is to take your Nintendo Switch for a professional repair to ensure the Nintendo Switch game card error does not occur again.