On the covered Nintendo Switch console, 2002-2000 to 2002-2499, 2002-0001, 2002-0002, 2002-1002, 2002-2046, 2002-4802, 2002-2096, 2016-0247, 2016-0390, 2005-0004, 2005-0012, 2005-0140, 2005-0003, 2016-0891 means the console cannot read or write the microSD or microSD Express card First, power off, remove the card and check that it is a type your console supports.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nintendo Switch console codes 2002-2000 to 2002-2499, 2002-0001 and 12 more”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A card the console does not support
What separates it The card worked in another device or was bought without checking the console's list
How to confirm Compare the card's type with the list for your console: Switch 2 takes only microSD Express, Switch takes microSD, microSDHC or microSDXC within Nintendo's size ranges
- 2
A poor contact between the card and the slot
What separates it The console reports it cannot access the card and reseating it changes the behavior
How to confirm With the console off, remove the card, check the terminals for dirt, wipe gently with a soft dry cloth and reinsert
- 3
A card that is failing or fake
What separates it More than 1 GB separates the capacity on the label from the capacity shown in the console
How to confirm Read the capacity in System Settings; Nintendo says a difference of more than 1 GB is a case to take to the retailer
- 4
A damaged file system on the card
What separates it The card is recognized but downloads or launches keep failing
How to confirm Format the card after backing up captures, then redownload the software you had on it
- 5
A console fault when no card is used
What separates it The error appears with the card removed and downloads going to system memory
How to confirm If it persists with several supported cards or with no card, Nintendo says the console will need service
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact code and the message, such as "Unable to access microSD card"
- The card's brand, type and stated capacity, and the capacity the console shows
- Whether the error appears with the card removed and downloads going to system memory
- Whether the card worked before, and what changed
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
Reversiblepower off, remove the card and check that it is a type your console supports.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleReseat the card, confirm compatibility (Switch 2 accepts only microSD Express), update the system with the card inserted, and format the card as a last step after backing up captures.
Check that the card is compatible
ReversibleSwitch 2 supports microSD Express up to 2 TB; Switch supports microSD up to 2 GB, microSDHC 4 to 32 GB and microSDXC 64 GB to 2 TB. If the console's capacity differs from the label by more than 1 GB, take the card back to the retailer.
Power off and reseat the card
ReversibleHold POWER for three seconds, choose Power Options and Power Off (Turn Off on Switch), swing the stand open, press the card until it clicks, slide it out, check the terminals for dirt and reinsert it.
Update and restart
ReversibleConfirm the latest system update, then restart the console; if it will not respond, hold POWER for twelve seconds to force it off.
Format the card
ReversibleIn System Settings choose System, Formatting Options and Format microSD Card, then Continue. Everything on the card is lost, and save data is not affected because it lives in the console's memory.
Try a second card and system memory
ReversiblePut in a different compatible card and redownload the software. If that works, the first card was the fault. If not, remove the card and download to system memory.
Consider service only after those tests
ReversibleIf the error persists with multiple compatible cards or with no card, Nintendo says the console needs service; send one or two of the problem cards too.
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.
- 2002-2000 to 2002-2499
- A range 2002-2000 to 2002-2499 with "Unable to access microSD card"; remove, check compatibility and terminals, reinsert, format, try another card, or download to system memory.
- 2002-0001
- Shown at startup or at other times; remove the card, check compatibility, update the system and try a different card or system memory.
- 2002-0002
- Starting, deleting or archiving a game fails; update, scan for corrupt data, delete and redownload, try another card, and initialize without deleting save data.
- 2002-1002
- Starting a game or downloading fails; the article separates using a microSD card from not using one and starts with a system update.
- 2002-2046
- "Unable to access microSD card. Please turn off the console and reinsert the microSD card".
- 2002-4802
- A microSD card in use; confirm the system update, check the card and reseat it.
- 2002-2096
- Reseat with the console off, then format the card, try another, or download to system memory; service only if it fails with several supported cards.
- 2016-0247
- Downloading to the card fails, even if the card worked before; remove it, check compatibility (Switch 2 needs microSD Express), reinsert.
- 2016-0390
- "Unable to access microSD card"; remove, check the card is compatible, and reinsert.
- 2005-0004
- Starting a game; update and restart, and for a microSD card check compatibility, reseat and try another.
- 2005-0012
- Update and restart; if a card is used, reseat it and check whether a download failed because of the card.
- 2005-0140
- The same steps as 2005-0012.
- 2005-0003
- Cannot download software; do not remove the card until downloads finish; try another card and system memory to isolate the card.
- 2016-0891
- Unable to move data between system memory and a microSD card; restart, and remember that downloads default to the card when one is inserted.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Always power the console off before removing or inserting a card, because doing it while on or asleep prompts a restart
- !Formatting erases everything on the card, so back up screenshots and videos to a computer first; downloaded software can be redownloaded with the account that bought it
- !If the error persists with multiple supported cards or with no card, Nintendo says to send the console in; include one or two of the problem cards with the service request
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. These articles cover the console failing to read or write a microSD or microSD Express card, or a download to it stopping. The compatibility list is Nintendo's as of the download: Switch 2 takes microSD Express up to 2 TB; Switch takes microSD up to 2 GB, microSDHC 4 to 32 GB and microSDXC 64 GB to 2 TB.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 2002-2000 to 2002-2499, 2002-0001, 2002-0002, 2002-1002, 2002-2046, 2002-4802, 2002-2096, 2016-0247, 2016-0390, 2005-0004, 2005-0012, 2005-0140, 2005-0003, 2016-0891 mean on a Nintendo Switch console?+
the console cannot read or write the microSD or microSD Express card
What does 2002-2000 to 2002-2499 mean?+
A range for "Unable to access microSD card", where Nintendo's article walks through removing, checking, reinserting, formatting, replacing the card and downloading to system memory.
Which cards work in the Switch 2?+
Only microSD Express cards, up to 2 TB, according to Nintendo's list.
Will formatting delete my saves?+
No. Save data is stored in the console's system memory, but screenshots and videos on the card are lost, so back them up.
Why does Nintendo mention a 1 GB difference?+
A card whose reported capacity differs from its label by more than 1 GB should be taken to the retailer.
Can I remove the card while the console is on?+
You can, but the console will prompt you to restart. Nintendo says to power off first.