On the covered Nintendo Switch console, 2137-0240, 2137-7404, 2137-8006, 2137-8035, 2160-0202, 2160-8006, 2160-8007, 2123-1502 means a download or a connection to an online service timed out before it finished First, check that another device on the same network can browse the internet, then try the download again.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nintendo Switch console codes 2137-0240, 2137-7404 and 6 more”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A slow or overloaded internet connection
What separates it The download starts, stalls and fails with a timeout, and other devices are streaming or downloading at the same time
How to confirm Run Test Connection on the console and read the download speed; low results mean the network is the bottleneck
- 2
Weak wireless signal or interference
What separates it The console is docked far from the router, or metal objects or speakers sit nearby
How to confirm Move within 10 to 15 feet, remove the dock as a variable and move interference away; if the download continues, signal was the cause
- 3
A DNS problem
What separates it Speed tests look fine but connections still time out during downloads
How to confirm Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as the DNS and retry the download; Nintendo suggests this to test whether the current DNS is at fault
- 4
A cached or interrupted download that needs to be continued or cleared
What separates it The code is 2123-1502 and a message says the download stopped because of an error
How to confirm Select Continue to resume the download several times, then clear the cache from the console's data options
- 5
An MTU value that was changed from the default
What separates it The connection page shows an MTU other than 1400
How to confirm Set the MTU back to the default value of 1400 unless your provider told you to change it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact code and what you were downloading or connecting to
- The download speed, upload speed and NAT type from the console's connection test
- Whether other devices can browse and stream on the same network
- The MTU value on the saved connection
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
Reversiblecheck that another device on the same network can browse the internet, then try the download again.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleContinue or restart the download a few times, clear the console cache from Data-Clear Options where Nintendo says to, change DNS, improve the signal or switch to wired, and if the console still fails while other devices work, contact Nintendo for service.
Continue the download again
ReversibleIf a message says the download stopped because an error occurred, select Continue and let it resume; Nintendo says to try a few more times if the same code returns, and when the message reads Downloading data the download should complete normally.
Run the connection test and read it
ReversibleOpen System Settings, Internet and Test Connection. The results list connection name, SSID, internet connection, global IP address, NAT type from A (best for peer-to-peer) to F (unable to complete it), download speed and upload speed.
Clear the cache if the code stays
ReversibleOn a Switch 2 open System, Data-Clear Options, Clear Cache and Clear Data. On a Switch open System, Formatting Options, Reset Cache, pick the user and select Reset. This removes saved IDs, passwords, cookies and history but not games or saves.
Improve the connection
ReversibleMove within 10 to 15 feet of the router, take the console out of the dock, try the other band and, if you can, use a wired connection with a dock that has a LAN port or a USB LAN adapter.
Check DNS and MTU
ReversibleTest 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as the DNS, and confirm the MTU is at its default of 1400. Both are on the saved connection's page.
For 2257-0006, power off for 20 seconds
ReversibleCheck the network status page for maintenance, then hold POWER for 20 seconds until the console turns off, release, press POWER once to turn it on, and retry the download.
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.
- 2137-0240
- The connection has likely timed out during a download; possible causes are a slow internet connection, wireless interference or a weak router signal.
- 2137-7404
- Unable to complete a download; likely a timeout, with a wireless DNS change described and a wired branch.
- 2137-8006
- Unable to complete a download; the connection likely timed out, and Nintendo asks whether other devices can browse online.
- 2137-8035
- A likely timeout during a download; the article lists an alternate DNS, interference reduction and a different wireless band.
- 2160-0202
- The connection has likely timed out while connecting to an online service.
- 2160-8006, 2160-8007
- Unable to complete a connection test to Nintendo's services, and its twin 2160-8007; possible DNS, slow connection, interference or weak signal.
- 2123-1502
- Shown when connecting, downloading software or updates, or launching downloadable software; Nintendo asks you to continue the download several times, clear the cache and check the MTU.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a download fails on several networks, contact Nintendo Support; for 2257-0006 Nintendo says the console will need to be sent in for service after the 20-second power off
- !Clearing the console cache removes saved IDs, passwords, cookies and history but not downloaded games or save data, so back up nothing extra but expect to sign in again
- !Router firmware updates and resets belong to the router's maker
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. These articles describe downloads and connection tests that timed out. They do not cover an eShop that is down (see the eShop outage page), a full storage card (the storage pages) or a wrong password.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 2137-0240, 2137-7404, 2137-8006, 2137-8035, 2160-0202, 2160-8006, 2160-8007, 2123-1502 mean on a Nintendo Switch console?+
a download or a connection to an online service timed out before it finished
What does 2137-0240 mean on a Switch?+
Nintendo says the connection has likely timed out during a download, which may be the result of a slow internet connection, wireless interference or a weak signal from the router.
Will clearing the cache delete my games?+
No. Nintendo says clearing the cache deletes saved IDs, passwords, cookies, history and cached website data but does not affect downloaded games or save data.
What is NAT type on the connection test?+
The test reports a NAT type from A, the best for peer-to-peer communication, to F, unable to complete peer-to-peer communication.
What MTU should the Switch use?+
Keep it at 1400, the default Nintendo recommends for most home networks, unless your provider gives another value.
Why does Nintendo say to continue the download several times?+
For 2123-1502 the download can complete normally after a few retries, once the Downloading data message appears.
When should I send the console in?+
Nintendo says so for 2257-0006 when the download still fails after checking maintenance and the 20-second power off.