On the covered Nintendo Switch console, 2016-0403 means an error shown when trying to earn My Nintendo points from physical software, with the message "You cannot collect My Nintendo points for this software as the expiry date has passed." Nintendo says it means this physical software is no longer eligible for Gold Points. First, note the exact error code and message on the screen and what you were doing when it appeared.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nintendo Switch console code 2016-0403”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The one-year window has passed
What separates it Points cannot be earned
How to confirm Gold Points for physical games must be claimed within a year of release
- 2
A physical game outside the eligibility period
What separates it The error appears when you try to earn points
How to confirm It is no longer eligible
- 3
A regional difference
What separates it Points rules differ by title
How to confirm Check the title's terms
- 4
An account issue
What separates it Other points work
How to confirm Contact Nintendo Support
- 5
A misunderstanding of digital and physical
What separates it Digital purchases have their own rules
How to confirm Check how the game was bought
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The game and its release date
- When you tried to claim
- Whether the game is physical or digital
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleNote the exact error code and message on the screen and what you were doing when it appeared.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleYou're unable to earn My Nintendo points from physical software and you receive the error code 2016-0403. Gold Points for physical games must be claimed within one year of the game’s original release date. If you receive this error, it indicates the physical version of this software is no longer eligible for Gold Points.
Check the release date
ReversibleOf the physical game.
Check the claim window
ReversibleOne year from release.
Read the points terms
ReversibleFor the title.
Try other eligible games
ReversibleFor points.
Contact Nintendo
ReversibleIf the date looks wrong.
Keep the receipt
ReversibleIf you dispute it.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- One-year window
- Gold Points for physical games must be claimed within a year.
- Not a fault
- The error reflects eligibility.
- The reward window
- Gold Points for physical games must be claimed within a year of the game's release, so the error simply reports that the window has closed for this title. It is not a console fault and no setting changes it. Check the release date on the box or the eShop page to confirm.
- What still earns points
- Digital purchases and games within their eligibility window can still earn points, and the My Nintendo rewards page shows how points are earned for each. Redeeming points follows its own terms.
- If you think the date is wrong
- Keep the game's receipt and the exact date you tried to claim, and contact Nintendo Support, who can check the release date they hold for your region.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Nintendo says the physical software is no longer eligible, so there is no fix
- !Contact Nintendo Support if you think the date is wrong
- !Keep the game's details
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 2016-0403 mean on a Nintendo Switch console?+
an error shown when trying to earn My Nintendo points from physical software, with the message "You cannot collect My Nintendo points for this software as the expiry date has passed." Nintendo says it means this physical software is no longer eligible for Gold Points.
How long do I have?+
Within one year of the original release date.
Do digital games differ?+
They follow their own rules.