If the Nintendo Switch’s firmware is out of current, you may see the Game Card error. The Nintendo Switch’s faulty cache could possibly be to blame. The problem occurs when the user receives the following error message while playing a game or after waking the Switch from sleep (in or out of the dock).

The game card was unreadable. You need to take it out and put it back in.

If this message keeps showing up, please visit the following website on your computer or mobile device.

support.nintendo.com/switch/gamecarderror

Please make sure your Nintendo Switch is running the most recent firmware version by following these instructions.

Support.Nintendo/Switch/Gamecarderror

Contents

Method 1: Bring Your Nintendo Switch Up to Date By Installing The Most Recent Firmware Update.

If your Nintendo Switch is running outdated firmware, you may have the game card issue, although updating the firmware to the most recent build may fix the problem.

  1. Navigate to the System tab in System Settings via the Home screen of your Nintendo switch.
  2. Click System Update now to begin the update process (if an update is available).
  3. After the update, you should see if the game card issue has been fixed on the Switch.

Method 2: Nintendo Switch Cache Reset

When the Switch’s cache becomes corrupt, the game card error may appear; deleting the Switch’s cache may fix the issue.

  1. To access the System menu in Nintendo Switch’s System Settings, launch the menu.
  2. After that, go to File > Formatting Options > Reset Cache.
  3. Now select the profile you wish to erase the cache for, and then click Reset.
  4. After the cache has been cleared, confirm that it is working properly by clicking the OK button.

Method 3: Please Wipe The Game Card And Re-Insert It.

It’s possible that the Switch is temporarily malfunctioning, and that reinsertion of the game card will fix the issue.

  1. Take out the Switch’s Game card, then put it back in to see if it fixes the problem.
  2. If that doesn’t work, try inserting the card slowly at an angle to see if that works.
  3. In that case, take the card out of the Switch and wipe out its contacts with some rubbing alcohol.
  4. Then, direct the air from the can into the switch’s card slot.
  5. Carefully re-insert the game card and see if the problem still persists.
  6. If it doesn’t work, try swapping out the affected game card with a different game card and reinserting it into the Switch.
  7. Then you must ensure the newly inserted card is functioning properly.
  8. If so, try using the faulty game card again.

Method 4: If You’re Using Headphones With A Nintendo Switch, Please Remove Them.

If your Nintendo Switch is having issues with the auxiliary port (located next to the game card reader), you may be able to fix it by removing the headphones.

  1. Take out the Game Card and disconnect the headphones before attempting to play on the Switch.
  2. Next, lower the volume until the click of the switch is no longer audible.
  3. Next, try using the Game Card again to see whether the Switch no longer displays any errors.

Method 5: Power Down the Nintendo Switch And Let it Boot Back Up.

Restarting the Nintendo Switch (which will reinitialize different hardware components of the switch) may fix the problem if the game card error persists after many reinsertions.

  1. Once the Switch’s Power menu has loaded, which you can access by pressing the Power button, select Power Options from the submenu that appears.
  2. Once the Switch is back up and running, select Restart to see if the Game Card problem has been resolved.
  3. If not, then you should take out the Game Card and power down the Switch completely. Unplug the Switch from its charging source if it is currently connected.
  4. To see if the Game Card problem has been resolved, please reinsert the Game Card and turn on the Switch.