Problems with Download Codes (Software and Downloadable Content)

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

Steps for situations where a game download code from a retailer, prepaid card, or bundle insert is not working or cannot be read (scratched, damaged, illegible, etc.).

Important

For help with Nintendo eShop Cards, please read Nintendo eShop Card Is Not Working
For help with Pokémon Mystery Gift codes, please follow the article for the game the gift is intended for.
For help with download codes issued through My Nintendo, please read Problems with Download Codes (My Nintendo Reward).
If your download code is lost or missing, please read Download Code Is Lost or Missing.
If you see Error Code 2813-0071, you may be trying to redeem a download code for a game that is not released yet. Check the release date on Nintendo.com.

What to do

Download code was purchased from a retailer
1. Try redeeming the code again, making sure you are entering the download code correctly.
  - How to redeem a code for software or downloadable content on Nintendo eShop
    Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu.
    
    Select the account you want to use.
    
    Select Enter Code on the left side of the screen.
    
    Enter the 16-character download code.
    
    Select OK to confirm.
    
    The game icon will appear on the HOME menu, with a download status bar.
    
    For more details about redeeming a download code, please read How to Redeem a Download Code on Nintendo eShop.
  - Code is for Nintendo 3DS or Wii U
    
    The ability to redeem download codes in Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS family and Wii U ended at 9:30 PM Pacific Time on April 3, 2023. For more information, read the Wii U & Nintendo 3DS eShop Discontinuation Q&A.
  - Message: This download code is for software that includes content that is only accessible on Nintendo Switch 2.
    
    This indicates that you are trying to redeem a download code for content that is intended for Nintendo Switch 2, not Nintendo Switch.
    
    For more information, read Error Message: This download code is for software that includes content that is only accessible on Nintendo Switch 2.
  - Error Message: This Code Has Already Been Used
    
    If you see a message that your download code has already been used, please read Error Message: This Code Has Already Been Used.
2. Try redeeming the code online.
  - How to Redeem a Nintendo eShop Download Code Online
    Using a web browser, visit ec.nintendo.com/redeem/#/
    
    Sign in to your Nintendo Account.
    
    If you are already signed in, review the user name in the top-right corner to confirm you are signed in with the correct Nintendo Account.
    
    Enter your 16-digit download code and then select Next
    
    Re-enter your Nintendo Account password when prompted, then select Redeem to complete the process.
    
    For more details, please read How to Redeem a Nintendo eShop Download Code Online.
3. Check that your Nintendo eShop country setting is correct, and that it matches the country the code is for.
  - How to check Nintendo eShop Country
    
    The Nintendo eShop will always match the country setting for your Nintendo Account.
    
    A download code can only be redeemed on a Nintendo eShop set to the same region as the game. (For example, a code intended for use in the Americas cannot be redeemed with a Nintendo Account and Nintendo eShop set to Japan.)
    
    For more information, read Can I Change the Nintendo eShop Country?
  - Nintendo Account country does not match the country the code is from
    
    If you are attempting to use a download code or system from a different region (a download code for the Americas with a European Nintendo Account, for example), the download code will not work. You may wish to give the download code to someone who will be able to redeem it.
4. Check your Nintendo eShop purchase history to see if the game or downloadable content appears—if it does, this means the code has already been redeemed.
  - How to check your eShop Purchase History on Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch
    Select Virtual Game Cards Tarjetas de juego virtuales Cartes de jeu virtuelles Cartões de jogo virtuais from the HOME Menu.
    
    If there are multiple user accounts on your console, select the account with the history you want to view.
    
    Confirm your identity by re-entering your password or entering a PIN, if you are prompted to do so.
    
    All of the digital content you have purchased, including DLC, will appear in the various sections of the menu.
    
    Only software purchased with your Nintendo Account will appear. Software purchased by other Nintendo Accounts on the console will not appear.
  - How to check your eShop Purchase History Online
    Visit the Account Home website, and sign in to your Nintendo Account.
    
    Purchases can only be viewed when logged in to the Nintendo Account that made them. The purchase history of a parent account will not include purchases made on a child account.
    
    Select Funds and Payment Methods.
    
    Scroll down and select Transaction History.
    
    Here, you can view account activity dating back up to two years. This includes any promotional or bundled download codes that came with your purchases.
    
    For more details, please read How to View Nintendo eShop Purchase History
  - Game appears in purchase history
    
    If the content appears in your purchase history, you can redownload the content on your console without re-entering the code.
5. If the download code is still not working, it may not have been activated correctly at the store. Please check with the retailer that provided the code.
  - Retailer was not able to help
    If the retailer was not able to help with activating the code, please contact the game's publisher for support.
    
    The publisher's website or contact information is usually listed on the download code card or game case.
    
    You can also find the publisher by searching for the game on nintendo.com and reviewing the game details.
    
    If the game is published by Nintendo, please contact us for additional support.
Download code was not purchased (promotion, pre-order bonus, etc.)
1. Try redeeming the code again, making sure you are entering the download code correctly.
  - How to redeem a code for software or downloadable content on Nintendo eShop
    Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu.
    
    Select the account you want to use.
    
    Select Enter Code on the left side of the screen.
    
    Enter the 16-character download code.
    
    Select OK to confirm.
    
    The game icon will appear on the HOME menu, with a download status bar.
    
    For more details about redeeming a download code, please read How to Redeem a Download Code on Nintendo eShop.
  - Code is for Nintendo 3DS or Wii U
    
    The ability to redeem download codes in Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS family and Wii U ended at 9:30 PM Pacific Time on April 3, 2023. For more information, read the Wii U & Nintendo 3DS eShop Discontinuation Q&A.
  - Message: This download code is for software that includes content that is only accessible on Nintendo Switch 2.
    
    This indicates that you are trying to redeem a download code for content that is intended for Nintendo Switch 2, not Nintendo Switch.
    
    For more information, read Error Message: This download code is for software that includes content that is only accessible on Nintendo Switch 2.
  - Error code: 2811-6058
    
    Please wait a short while before trying to redeem the code again.
    
    For more information, read Error Code: 2811-6058
  - Error Message: This Code Has Already Been Used
    
    If you see a message that your download code has already been used, please read Error Message: This Code Has Already Been Used.
2. Try redeeming the code online.
  - How to Redeem a Nintendo eShop Download Code Online
    Using a web browser, visit ec.nintendo.com/redeem/#/
    
    Sign in to your Nintendo Account.
    
    If you are already signed in, review the user name in the top-right corner to confirm you are signed in with the correct Nintendo Account.
    
    Enter your 16-digit download code and then select Next
    
    Re-enter your Nintendo Account password when prompted, then select Redeem to complete the process.
    
    For more details, please read How to Redeem a Nintendo eShop Download Code Online.
3. Check that your Nintendo eShop country setting is correct, and that it matches the country the code is for.
  - How to check Nintendo eShop Country
    
    The Nintendo eShop will always match the country setting for your Nintendo Account.
    
    A download code can only be redeemed on a Nintendo eShop set to the same region as the game. (For example, a code intended for use in the Americas cannot be redeemed with a Nintendo Account and Nintendo eShop set to Japan.)
    
    For more information, read Can I Change the Nintendo eShop Country?
  - Nintendo Account country does not match the country the code is from
    
    If you are attempting to use a download code or system from a different region (a download code for the Americas with a European Nintendo Account, for example), the download code will not work. You may wish to give the download code to someone who will be able to redeem it.
4. Check to see if the code has expired.
  - How to check if a download code has expired
    
    Download codes for games or downloadable content purchased from retailers do not expire.
    
    Download codes given out for a specific promotion (pre-order bonuses, Pokémon distributions, etc.) may have an expiration date. This will usually be listed in the promotional materials.
  - Code has expired
    
    If you are attempting to use a download code that has expired, the download code will not work.
5. Check your Nintendo eShop purchase history to see if the game or downloadable content appears—if it does, this means the code has already been redeemed.
  - How to check your eShop Purchase History on Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch
    Select Virtual Game Cards Tarjetas de juego virtuales Cartes de jeu virtuelles Cartões de jogo virtuais from the HOME Menu.
    
    If there are multiple user accounts on your console, select the account with the history you want to view.
    
    Confirm your identity by re-entering your password or entering a PIN, if you are prompted to do so.
    
    All of the digital content you have purchased, including DLC, will appear in the various sections of the menu.
    
    Only software purchased with your Nintendo Account will appear. Software purchased by other Nintendo Accounts on the console will not appear.
  - How to check your eShop Purchase History Online
    Visit the Account Home website, and sign in to your Nintendo Account.
    
    Purchases can only be viewed when logged in to the Nintendo Account that made them. The purchase history of a parent account will not include purchases made on a child account.
    
    Select Funds and Payment Methods.
    
    Scroll down and select Transaction History.
    
    Here, you can view account activity dating back up to two years. This includes any promotional or bundled download codes that came with your purchases.
    
    For more details, please read How to View Nintendo eShop Purchase History
  - Game appears in purchase history
    
    If the content appears in your purchase history, you can redownload the content on your console without re-entering the code.
  - Game is not in purchase history, code still not working
    
    If the download code is still not working, please contact us for additional support.

Problems with Download Codes (Software and Downloadable Content)

Important

What to do

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