How to Fix “The Game Card Could Not be Read” Error on Nintendo Switch?

You may encounter the Game Card error on Nintendo Switch if the firmware of the Nintendo Switch is outdated. Moreover, the corrupt cache of the Nintendo Switch may also cause the issue at hand. The issue arises when a user encounters the following error during a game or when the Switch is b brought out of sleep (either in the dock or out of it):

The game card could not be read. Please remove it and reinsert it.

If this message appears repeatedly, please check the following page on your smart device or PC.

support.nintendo.com/switch/gamecarderror

You can fix the Nintendo game switch card error by updating the firmware or clearing the cache of the Nintendo Switch as discussed below:

Update Firmware of Your Nintendo Switch to the Latest Build

Your Nintendo switch may show the game card issue if the firmware of your switch is outdated and updating the firmware of your Nintendo Switch to the latest build may solve the problem.

1. Open System Settings on the Home screen of your Nintendo switch and steer to the System tab.

   

2. Now select System Update and let the update install (if an update is available).

   

3. Once updated, check if the Switch is clear of the game card error.

Reset the Cache of the Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch might show the game card error if the switch’s cache is corrupt and clearing the cache of the Nintendo Switch may solve the problem.

1. Launch the System Settings of Nintendo Switch and head to its System tab.
2. Then open the Formatting Options and select Reset Cache.

   

3. Now choose the user profile for which you want to clear the cache and click Reset.

   

4. Once the cache is reset, click OK and check if it is clear of the game card issue.

   

Clean and Reinsert the Game Card

The game card issue of the Nintendo gaming console could be the result of a temporary malfunction of the Switch and reinserting the card may solve the problem.

1. Remove the Game card from the Switch and insert back the card to check if the issue is resolved.

   

2. If not, then check if slowly reinserting the card with a slight angle solves the issue.
3. If not, remove the card from the Switch and clean the card’s connections with rubbing alcohol.
4. Then blow the air from a compressed can to the card slot of the switch.
5. Now slowly reinsert the game card and check if the game card issue is resolved.
6. If that did not work, then remove the problematic game card from the slot and insert another game card in the Switch.
7. Then check if the newly inserted card is working fine.
8. If so, then insert back the problematic game card and check if it is operating fine.

Unplug Headphones from the Nintendo Switch

If the headphones of Nintendo Switch are short-circuiting the auxiliary port (next to the game card reader), then unplugging the headphone may solve the problem.

1. Remove the Game Card from the Switch and unplug your headphones from the switch.

   

2. Now press the Volume Down button till the switch sound is off.

   

3. Then insert the Game Card into the Switch and check if the Game Card issue is resolved.

Restart the Nintendo Switch

If the Nintendo Switch is showing the game card error even after reinserting the card a couple of times, then restarting the Nintendo Switch (as it will reinitialize different hardware components of the switch) may solve the problem.

1. Press the Power button of the Nintendo Switch and when the Power menu is shown on the screen, open Power Options.

   

2. Then select Restart and once the Switch is powered on, check if it is clear of the Game Card issue.

   

3. If not, then remove the Game Card from the Switch and Turn off (not sleep) the Switch. If the Switch is connected to a charger, then remove the Switch from the charger.
4. Now reinsert the Game Card and power on the Switch to check if it is clear of the Game Card error.

If the issue persists, then either your Game Card is faulty (especially if it does not work with another Switch or PC) or the slot of the Nintendo Switch is malfunctioning (especially, if other Game Cards are also not working with the Switch).