Ever fired up a game or file on your Nintendo Switch, only to be greeted by the dreaded message, “Corrupted Data Was Found”?
Facing this, you can’t proceed to launch the game or file on your Nintendo Switch. Wondering why this occurs and how to tackle it? Well, we’ve encountered this hiccup ourselves at Gaming Power Up, and we’re here to guide you through fixing Nintendo Switch corrupted data with ease.
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Quick Answer
Corrupt Files on Nintendo Switch appear when there’s a problem with the game file, you have turned off the console while saving your game, or your Switch’s microSD is broken. You can fix this by updating your console, formatting the microSD card, or re-downloading the game file from the beginning.
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What Is Corrupted Data on Nintendo Switch?
Corrupted Data on Nintendo Switch is a problem that happens when certain files are missing from a game software and, as a consequence, your Switch console is unable to open the game properly.
The corrupted data Switch issue affects digital games on the console, but it can also affect Game Save Files on physical games that you have in your possession.
Data corruption causes data to be unusable and readable, so, in most cases, fixing data corruption becomes a real challenge.
Why Does My Nintendo Switch Say Corrupted Data?
So, why does your Switch say corrupted data? Is there something wrong with your console’s storage?
The truth is that corrupted data problems on Nintendo Switch often appear without further notice, so it’s hard to determine the real causes behind them.
Still, there are two main reasons behind Switch data corruption that we must take into account.
1. An Unexpected Glitch Happened While Saving Game Progress
Have you ever noticed those little menu messages during the loading or saving screen of a game that says “Do Not Turn Off Console While Saving”?
Those messages are there for a reason. When gaming files are being modified because you are saving the game, you cannot turn off the console or leave the game abruptly.
Otherwise, data might get corrupted, which will cause the game file to be useless. So, the next time you see this message, try not to turn off your Switch console while saving game progress!
2. Game Files Are Missing or Are Broken
Now, there are several reasons why some game files might be missing or are now broken, but it is hard to determine them,
Unexpected glitches cause software to be damaged, and this includes Nintendo games as well.
If a glitch takes place, then the game file will not function as it should. Consequently, your Nintendo Switch will inform you about the corrupt data problem since it will become incapable of running the program.
What Causes Corrupted Data on Switch?
As mentioned above, there are two main reasons behind corrupted data on Switch. But, in order to have a more straightforward explanation, these are some of the things you must avoid doing so the corrupted data problem doesn’t appear again:
- Do not turn off your console while saving game progress on Nintendo Switch.
- Do not suddenly remove your Nintendo Switch’s SD Memory under any circumstance.
- Make sure to have a stable Internet connection before you start downloading game files.
- Never download or use unofficial game files or software on your Nintendo Switch.
- Ensure that your Nintendo Switch has enough battery before saving game progress or downloading files (so the console doesn’t suddenly turn off).
How to Check Corrupted Data on Switch
Nintendo understands that some Switch users can face corrupted data problems on their consoles.
Besides, data corruption affects other aspects of the video game world, so not only Nintendo Switch consoles are prone to this error.
So, How do I know if my Nintendo Switch has corrupted data? In order to do that, follow the Nintendo guide about how to check for corrupted data on downloaded software (Nintendo Switch):
- Open the home menu of your Nintendo Switch and go to System Settings.
- Scroll through the options until you find the one that says “Data Management.”
- Here, find the “Software” option and look for the game or file that was triggering for Corrupted Data.
- Select the Game or File, and then look for the option that says “Check for Corrupt Data.”
- You will see on the Nintendo Switch menu whether the file is corrupted or not. This will help you quickly identify corrupted files within your Nintendo Switch’s interface, even if you don’t have tech knowledge.
How to Fix Corrupted Data on Nintendo Switch
If the corrupted data problem persists on your end, then it is time to do something. There are different solutions to follow recommended by Nintendo, and we’ll simplify them for you in an easy way.
Fix 1: Restart Your Nintendo Switch
The first and simplest solution for corrupted data is to simply restart your Nintendo Switch.
Although this method doesn’t work all the time, it is a great way to determine if the corrupt data problem has been caused by small bugs or bigger problems.
Hold the POWER BUTTON of the Switch console for three seconds, and then try to re-launch the file. If the corrupt data message is gone, then you were lucky – it was just a small bug!
Otherwise, move on to the following fix.
Fix 2: Perform a Nintendo Switch Software Update
If your Nintendo Switch console is not updated to its latest version, it might start to fail without hesitation.
Therefore, Nintendo recommends their users to perform a system update whenever there’s a new version available.
You can go to the official Nintendo Website to learn how to do this, although the process is fairly easy: go to System Settings, System, and select System Update – it’s effortless.
Fix 3: Check for Game-Related Updates
If performing a general System Update on your Switch didn’t work, then perhaps the problem is related to the specific game.
Thus, look for the Corrupted Game on your Nintendo Switch’s interface, and press the + or – button.
Instead of launching the game, a new menu will open. Here, select Software Update. Your Switch will start downloading the latest game update. Once it’s downloaded, launch the file and see if the corrupted file problem is gone now.
Fix 4: Delete and Reinstall the Corrupted File
If updating both the game and the console didn’t do the trick for you, then it is time to entirely delete the game and then re-download it!
This might be a headache, but it is not the end of the world. Simply look for the game file on the main menu, press the + or – buttons on your Joy Cons (Do You Need Two JoyCons to Play Nintendo Switch?), and select Delete file.
Then, go to the Nintendo Store, and download the game again. This should be the definitive solution for you, but if it doesn’t work, then you have a last bullet.
Fix 5: Format or Replace Your Switch’s SD Card
If you are using a microSD card with your Nintendo Switch console, and the corrupt file problem doesn’t go away, then format your Switch’s SD card.
Nintendo teaches you how to easily format SD cards. The problem is that all your files will be lost forever, but if the card is damaged, you don’t have any other alternative left.
Well, you have one: entirely replace the SD card. If you determine that the problem is your Switch’s SD card, then entirely replacing the microSD card will be the only exit to this problem, sadly.
How to Fix Corrupted Data on Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch Lite consoles can also face corrupt data problems. Luckily, since the menus and interfaces are almost the same between Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite, then the solutions will also be the same.
In order to fix corrupted data on Nintendo Switch Lite, do the following:
- Restart the console (force restart it if needed).
- Update your console and the game software.
- Delete and reinstall the corrupted game.
- Format, fix, or replace your microSD card if nothing else works.
- Take your Nintendo Switch Lite to technical service.
Why Can’t I Fix Corrupted Data on Switch?
Did you follow all the previously mentioned fixes, and nothing worked to fix corrupted data on Switch? If that’s your case, then there are three reasons why you cannot fix corrupted data on Nintendo Switch:
- The game file is entirely broken. If this happens to you, it doesn’t matter what you do – the only way to fix the corrupted file is by entirely deleting it and downloading it again, which means that you will lose all the info related to it.
- Your microSD is failing. It doesn’t matter how many times you update your console or you format your SD card – if it’s broken, it’s broken. In that case, only replacing the SD card will do the trick.
- Problems with your Nintendo Switch internal storage. Although we all know that the storage of the Nintendo Switch is not the best around, if the console storage is failing, corrupt files will start to appear. Only Nintendo is capable of officially fixing this problem.
Gaming Summary: Fixing The Annoying Nintendo Switch Corrupted Data Error
Dealing with corrupted files on your Nintendo Switch can be a real headache, but the good news is that Gaming Power Up has just provided you with solutions to fix them.
Were you able to fix Nintendo Switch corrupted data? We hope so! By the way, find out why your Nintendo Switch Is Blowing Air here.
Nintendo Fans Also Ask
Does Corrupted File On the Switch Mean Virus?
Not exactly – corrupted files are just broken, damaged, or missing files. It has nothing to do with viruses, although it is known that some virus files can cause corrupted files on your device.