On the covered Nintendo Switch console, 2813-0039, 2813-9299, 2813-6561, 2813-6838, 2813-6835, 2813-0055, 9001-0044, 9001-0055, 9001-6838, 9001-1661 means a download code or eShop card was not accepted: mistyped, for another region, not yet activated, expired, or entered in the wrong place First, type the code again, character by character, allowing for look-alike characters.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nintendo Switch console codes 2813-0039, 2813-9299 and 8 more”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A mistyped or misread character
What separates it The code is 2813-0039 or 2813-9299 and the code has characters that look alike
How to confirm Re-enter it slowly and try similar characters, such as an 8 for a 3, a K for an X, a 5 for a 2 or a 0 for an 8
- 2
A code for a different region
What separates it The code came from a retailer or a packaging outside the Americas, and 2813-6561 or 2813-0055 appears
How to confirm Check the packaging for an ESRB rating and confirm the retailer is in the Americas; ask the retailer which region the code is for
- 3
A prepaid card that has not activated yet
What separates it The card was bought very recently and 2813-6838 or 9001-6838 appears
How to confirm Wait 24 hours, then try again; ask the retailer to confirm the card was activated at the till
- 4
The wrong place to redeem
What separates it The code belongs in a game, or an eShop card is being entered on a site that cannot take it
How to confirm Read the packaging or receipt for where to redeem, and use the eShop on the console for cards
- 5
An expired code
What separates it The code has an expiry date that has passed
How to confirm Check the expiration date printed with the code
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where the code came from: a retailer, a game box, a promotion or a gift
- The region shown on the packaging or receipt for the code
- The country set on your Nintendo Account
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
Reversibletype the code again, character by character, allowing for look-alike characters.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleCheck the region on the packaging, wait 24 hours for a newly bought card to activate, redeem in the eShop on the console, and contact the retailer or Nintendo if it still fails.
Enter the code again character by character
ReversibleSelect Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu, choose the account, select Enter Code and type the full code. If some characters are hard to read, try similar ones.
Confirm the region
ReversibleA download code works only on a Nintendo Account set to the same region as the code. Nintendo's example: a European code will not work with a North American account.
Check the expiry date and the release date
ReversibleLook for an expiration date on the code and, for a game, check the eShop page to see whether it has been released yet; software can become available at different times of day on its release date.
Wait 24 hours for a new card
ReversibleIf an eShop card was bought recently and shows 2813-6838, wait a day, and if it still fails, check with the retailer that it was activated.
Redeem in the right place
ReversibleCards are redeemed in the eShop on the console or during a Nintendo Store purchase; a code meant for a game is redeemed inside that game.
Contact Nintendo with proof of purchase
ReversibleIf the code is confirmed for the Americas and still fails, Nintendo asks you to contact them for additional support.
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.
- 2813-0039
- The download code was likely entered incorrectly; check every character, and try look-alike characters such as 8 and 3 or K and X.
- 2813-9299
- "The code you entered was not recognized"; verify the whole code and try look-alike characters.
- 2813-6561
- Unable to redeem a download code; re-enter it, then check the region (an ESRB rating means the Americas) and whether it must be redeemed inside a game.
- 2813-6838
- Unable to redeem an eShop card; check the number, and wait 24 hours for a newly bought card to activate.
- 2813-6835
- Unable to redeem an eShop card; if repeated, a temporary outage may affect cards, so try later.
- 2813-0055
- "The item corresponding to the code you entered is not currently available"; the code expired or the content is not released in your region.
- 9001-0044
- "The code you entered could not be recognized. It may no longer be valid"; contact Nintendo for assistance.
- 9001-6838
- The nintendo.com twin of 2813-6838: verify the number, wait 24 hours, then contact Nintendo after more than 24 hours.
- 9001-1661
- "This content cannot be redeemed on this site"; eShop cards are redeemed in the eShop on the console or when buying through the Nintendo Store.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a code still fails after you confirm the region and the entry, contact Nintendo Support and have the code and the receipt ready
- !Do not buy codes from unknown resellers; a code sold outside its region or already used will not redeem
- !Never post a full download code online while asking for help
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. These articles cover a download code or eShop card that was not accepted: mistyped, meant for another region, not yet activated, expired, or entered in the wrong place. Codes already redeemed are on their own page. Download codes vary by retailer, so the code's own instructions matter.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 2813-0039, 2813-9299, 2813-6561, 2813-6838, 2813-6835, 2813-0055, 9001-0044, 9001-0055, 9001-6838, 9001-1661 mean on a Nintendo Switch console?+
a download code or eShop card was not accepted: mistyped, for another region, not yet activated, expired, or entered in the wrong place
How do I know a code is for the Americas?+
Nintendo says a game box with an ESRB rating is for the Americas, and you can ask the retailer which region a code is meant for.
How long should I wait for a new eShop card?+
Nintendo says to wait 24 hours if the card may not have been activated yet.
Can I redeem an eShop card on ec.nintendo.com?+
Not on the redeem page, according to 9001-1661: use the eShop on the console or the Nintendo Store checkout.
What do I do with a Game Voucher error?+
9001-1637 means the signed-in account holds no redeemable vouchers; check the account and your purchase history.