On the covered Nintendo Switch console, 2819-0003, 2819-0042, 2819-0006, 2819-0021, 2819-0022, 2819-0031, 2819-0001, 2819-0002, 2016-4102, 2016-4111 means play was paused because the license for the game or add-on is in use on another console, was returned, or the console could not check it online First, return to the HOME Menu and look at the message: it says whether another console is using the account, the loan expired, or the console is offline.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nintendo Switch console codes 2819-0003, 2819-0042 and 8 more”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The same account is playing the game on another console
What separates it The message says someone else may be using the account to play the software elsewhere
How to confirm Close the software on every other console that uses your account, then resume it from the HOME Menu
- 2
The virtual game card is loaded on another system
What separates it The message says the virtual game card is being used on another system
How to confirm Load the virtual game card on this console instead, so the online license is no longer needed
- 3
A loan that has expired
What separates it The message says the deadline for returning the virtual game card was reached
How to confirm Ask the owner in the family group to lend it again; loans last 14 days
- 4
The console could not check the license online
What separates it The code is 2819-0001 or 2819-0002 and the console is offline
How to confirm Connect the console to the internet and resume the paused software
- 5
The license was revoked or the owning account deleted
What separates it The code is 2819-0099 and the message says play is being suspended
How to confirm Check whether the software can be redownloaded with the account that bought it, or load a virtual game card from another user who owns it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact code and the message about the paused software
- Which consoles use the same Nintendo Account, and whether any are out of your reach
- Whether the software is loaded as a virtual game card on this console
- Whether the console is connected to the internet
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
Reversiblereturn to the HOME Menu and look at the message: it says whether another console is using the account, the loan expired, or the console is offline.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleClose the game on the other console, reconnect this console to the internet, or reload the virtual game card, whichever the message describes.
Close the game on the other console
ReversibleClose any software using your Nintendo Account on the other consoles, then resume the paused software from the HOME Menu.
Change the account password if you cannot reach the other console
ReversibleNintendo recommends this so the account cannot be used there, then sign in again on this console.
Load the game as a virtual game card
ReversibleSelect the game from the list of your virtual game cards; once it downloads, every user on the console where it is loaded can play it without needing the online license.
For an upgrade pack, start without it
ReversibleHighlight the software, press X to close it, hold Y and start it with A; the upgrade pack's content will be unavailable until you start normally.
Get a loan renewed
ReversibleFor 2819-0006, ask the family member who owns the game to lend it again. Both consoles must be close together and connected to the internet.
Reconnect the console
ReversibleFor 2819-0001 and 2819-0002, return to the HOME Menu, connect the console to the internet, and select the paused software to resume it.
Every code on this page
What Nintendo's article says about each code
Nintendo publishes a separate article for every code below, and the fix on this page is the fix all of them share. The line beside each code is what that code's own article adds: the message, the situation, or the one step that differs.
- 2819-0003
- "Suspending play. Someone else may be using this Nintendo Account to play the downloaded software on another system"; close it on the other console and resume, or load the virtual game card.
- 2819-0042
- The virtual game card is being used on another system; a virtual game card and the online license for the same software cannot be used at the same time.
- 2819-0006
- The deadline for returning the virtual game card was reached and it was returned automatically; a family member can lend it again.
- 2819-0021
- The same DLC limit as 2819-0020.
- 2819-0022
- The DLC's virtual game card is being used on another system; the online license and the virtual game card for DLC cannot be used together.
- 2819-0031
- A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack is being played on another console; start the software without the upgrade pack or load it as a virtual game card.
- 2819-0001
- The console could not go online and play was paused; connect it, or load the virtual game card to play without a connection.
- 2819-0002
- Play paused because the console could not connect online while playing software that needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- 2016-4102
- Lending or borrowing a virtual game card, or linking two consoles; bring them close together, connect both to the internet and link the account.
- 2016-4111
- The same lend, borrow and link situation as 2016-4102.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If you cannot reach the other console, Nintendo recommends changing the Nintendo Account password so the account is no longer signed in there
- !For 2819-0099 that you cannot explain, contact Nintendo Support for further assistance
- !Do not share your Nintendo Account password, even with someone who says they will remove the other console
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. These articles cover a game or add-on that was paused because its license is in use elsewhere, was returned, or could not be checked online. They also cover linking two consoles to load virtual game cards. Virtual game card rules are Nintendo's; this page summarizes them for the codes listed.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 2819-0003, 2819-0042, 2819-0006, 2819-0021, 2819-0022, 2819-0031, 2819-0001, 2819-0002, 2016-4102, 2016-4111 mean on a Nintendo Switch console?+
play was paused because the license for the game or add-on is in use on another console, was returned, or the console could not check it online
How do I stop the pausing for good?+
Load the game as a virtual game card on the console you play on most; it then does not need the online license.
How long does a virtual game card loan last?+
14 days, after which it is automatically returned and can be lent again.
Does the console need internet to play a loaded virtual game card?+
Not to play it after loading; it needs a connection only to load it, according to Nintendo.