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Unable to Access DLC (Pokémon Scarlet/Pokémon Violet)

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

Follow these steps if you purchased Pokémon Scarlet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero or Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero and the DLC is not appearing in the game.

What to do

  1. Ensure the console has been updated to the latest system menu version.
  2. Check for any available software updates for the game.
  3. Restart the console. Press the POWER Button for three seconds, and then select Power OptionsOpciones de apagadoOptions d'alimentationOpções de desligar, followed by Restart.
  4. Make sure you have progressed far enough in the game to access the DLC.
    • The New Uniform Set is available immediately after purchasing the DLC.
    • You must have unlocked the Treasure Hunt before you can access Part 1: The Teal Mask.
    • You must have completed the main story, viewed the credits, and completed the events of Part 1: The Teal Mask before you can access Part 2: The Indigo Disk.
  5. Make sure that you own the corresponding DLC for the game you own. Pokémon Scarlet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is only compatible with the Pokémon Scarlet game and Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is only compatible with the Pokémon Violet game.
    • In-game, you can check that the compatible DLC is downloaded by opening the menu with the X Button. The "Downloadable Content" icon will have a green check mark on it.
    • If the DLC isn't downloaded, when you select the "Downloadable Content" icon, it will have the option to open the Nintendo eShop.
  1. Do you own the compatible DLC for your game?
  2. Are you using a physical game card or virtual game card for Pokémon Scarlet/Pokémon Violet?

    Please contact us for additional support.

    1. Remove the game card.
      • How to remove a game card from a Nintendo Switch 2 console
        Important: Remove a game card only while on the HOME Menu, or when the console is powered off. If you have suspended a software title, make sure you have closed it before removing its game card.
        1. Open the game card slot cover located on the top right side of your Nintendo Switch 2 console.
        2. Gently push down on the inserted game card until the card clicks. A Game Card being ejected by being pushed into the Nintendo Switch 2 console until it clicks
        3. Release the game card and it will partially eject.
        4. Slide the game card out of the game card slot and close the cover.

        For more information, please see How to Insert/Remove Game Cards on Nintendo Switch 2

      • How to remove a game card from Nintendo Switch

        Important: Remove a game card only while on the HOME Menu, or when the system is powered off. If you have suspended a software title, make sure you have closed it before removing its game card.

        1. Open the game card slot cover located on the top right side of your Nintendo Switch consoleA Game Card being ejected by being pushed into the Nintendo Switch console until it clicks.
        2. Gently push down on the inserted game card until the card clicks.
        3. Release the game card and it will partially eject.
        4. Slide the game card out of the game card slot and close the cover.

        For more information, see How to Insert/Remove Game Cards.

    2. Delete the software data (not the save data) from the software menu options.
    3. Reinsert the game card.
      • How to insert a game card into a Nintendo Switch 2 console
        1. Open the game card slot cover located on the top right side of your Nintendo Switch 2 console.
        2. Hold the game card so that the label of the game card faces in the same direction as the Nintendo Switch 2 screen.A Game Card being inserted into a Nintendo Switch 2 console with its label facing the same direction as the screen
        3. Slide the game card into the game card slot until it clicks into place. If the game card seems difficult to insert, remove it and verify that it is facing in the correct direction.
        4. Once inserted, the software icon of the inserted game card will be displayed on the HOME Menu. The software icon for Mario Kart World being highlighted on the Nintendo Switch 2 HOME Menu screen

        For more information, including about the different types of game cards that are supported with Nintendo Switch 2, please see How to Insert/Remove Game Cards on Nintendo Switch 2

      • How to insert a game card into a Nintendo Switch console
        1. Open the game card slot cover located on the top right side of your console.
        2. Hold the game card so that the label of the game card faces in the same direction as the Nintendo SwitchA Game Card being inserted into a Nintendo Switch console with its label facing the same direction as the screen screen.
          Important
          • Game cards for Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive software are not compatible with Nintendo Switch. Game Cards for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games, side by side.
          • Game cards for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Nintendo Switch software can be inserted and played on Nintendo Switch. Only the Nintendo Switch version of the software will be played with none of the enhancements in the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
        3. Slide the game card into the game card slot until it clicks into place. If the game card seems difficult to insert, remove it and verify that it is facing in the correct direction.
        4. Once inserted, the software icon of the inserted game card will be displayed on the HOME Menu .

        For more information, see How to Insert/Remove Game Cards.

    4. Download any available software updates for the game.
    5. Redownload the DLC.
      • How to redownload a game or DLC

        To redownload a digital game or DLC, load the virtual game card:

        1. Select Virtual Game CardsThe Virtual Game Cards icon shown on the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu. Tarjetas de juego virtualesEl icono de tarjetas de juego virtuales se muestra en el menú HOME de Nintendo Switch. Cartes de jeu virtuellesL’icône des Cartes de jeu virtuelles affichée sur le menu HOME de la Nintendo Switch. Cartões de jogo virtuaisO ícone dos Cartões de jogo virtuais exibido no Menu HOME do Nintendo Switch. from the HOME Menu.
        2. Select your user.
        3. If prompted, enter your user verification PIN or enter your Nintendo Account password.
        4. Select the item you want to redownload from the list of your virtual game cards.
        5. Select Load on This System Cargar en esta consola Charger sur cette console Carregar neste console .
        6. The game (and any DLC for that game you have purchased) will begin downloading. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.

        For more details, including how to redownload games that are not virtual game cards, read How to Redownload Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Digital Content.

    6. Start the game and confirm the DLC is accessible. The content should now be available to play once you've progressed far enough in the game:
      • The New Uniform Set is available immediately after purchasing the DLC.
      • You must have unlocked the Treasure Hunt before you can access Part 1: The Teal Mask.
      • You must have completed the main story, viewed the credits, and completed the events of Part 1: The Teal Mask before you can access Part 2: The Indigo Disk.
    Did this resolve your issue?
    1. Delete the software data (not the save data) from the software menu options.
    2. Redownload the software and DLC.
      • How to redownload a game or DLC

        To redownload a digital game or DLC, load the virtual game card:

        1. Select Virtual Game CardsThe Virtual Game Cards icon shown on the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu. Tarjetas de juego virtualesEl icono de tarjetas de juego virtuales se muestra en el menú HOME de Nintendo Switch. Cartes de jeu virtuellesL’icône des Cartes de jeu virtuelles affichée sur le menu HOME de la Nintendo Switch. Cartões de jogo virtuaisO ícone dos Cartões de jogo virtuais exibido no Menu HOME do Nintendo Switch. from the HOME Menu.
        2. Select your user.
        3. If prompted, enter your user verification PIN or enter your Nintendo Account password.
        4. Select the item you want to redownload from the list of your virtual game cards.
        5. Select Load on This System Cargar en esta consola Charger sur cette console Carregar neste console .
        6. The game (and any DLC for that game you have purchased) will begin downloading. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.

        For more details, including how to redownload games that are not virtual game cards, read How to Redownload Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Digital Content.

    3. Start the game and confirm the DLC is accessible. The content should now be available to play once you've progressed far enough in the game:
      • The New Uniform Set is available immediately after purchasing the DLC.
      • You must have unlocked the Treasure Hunt before you can access Part 1: The Teal Mask.
      • You must have completed the main story, viewed the credits, and completed the events of Part 1: The Teal Mask before you can access Part 2: The Indigo Disk.
    Did this resolve your issue?

  4. If this information resolved your issue, then you’re all set! For information about Nintendo’s products, be sure to check out Nintendo's website for all the latest news.

    If the issue persists, please contact us for additional support.

    If this information resolved your issue, then you’re all set! For information about Nintendo’s products, be sure to check out Nintendo's website for all the latest news.

    If the issue persists, please contact us for additional support.

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