If a Nintendo Switch 2 eShop purchase or download seems missing, first check the HOME Menu and the Nintendo Account used to buy or redeem it. Do not pay again or reuse a code until you have checked whether the download is already queued, belongs to another console user, or needs its Virtual Game Card set. For payment failures, check the selected account, balance, and payment options supported in your country or region.
Start with the HOME Menu and the account that made the purchase
After a purchase completes, Nintendo says the download starts automatically and its progress can be checked from the HOME Menu. Look for the software icon and a progress indicator before attempting another purchase or entering a code again. A purchase can appear to be missing when it is downloading, belongs to a different user on the console, or needs its Virtual Game Card set.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
eCash - Nintendo eShop Gift Card $100 | Digital | Nintendo Switch | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![$50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51klpGvEKML._SL160_.jpg)
|
$50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41XOVFRcBIL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $20.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![$70 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41X4G-NILVL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$70 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $70.00 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Check the HOME Menu. Look for the game icon and any download progress. If it is there, let the download finish rather than buying the item again. A purchase that has started downloading is not necessarily a failed transaction just because the game is not ready to open yet.
- Identify the purchasing or redeeming user. On a console with multiple users, check which user’s Nintendo Account completed the purchase or entered the code. Nintendo ties redeemed software, passes, and eShop funds to the selected account; they cannot be transferred to another account. See Nintendo’s downloadable software and add-on purchase guidance and download-code instructions.
- Check that account’s Virtual Game Card section. A code may already have been redeemed and begun downloading, or the relevant Virtual Game Card may need to be set to start the download. Check the other console users’ sections as well if you are not sure which account redeemed it.
These checks are useful in order: first establish whether the download is already visible, then identify the account with the entitlement, and finally check its Virtual Game Card. That sequence helps separate a slow or ongoing download from a purchase that is attached to another user or waiting for the relevant card to be set.
Keep the distinction between console user and Nintendo Account in mind. A console can have multiple users, and the selected user’s account is the one associated with a purchase or redemption. Looking only from the user you normally play with may not show content acquired by another person using the same console. The software or funds do not become transferable simply because they are wanted by a different user.
#1 Best Overall
- eCash - Nintendo eShop Gift Card $100
Fix a download that will not start or a purchase that looks missing
Purchase completed, but no download is visible
Check the HOME Menu first. If there is no icon or progress, check the Nintendo Account used for the purchase and then its Virtual Game Card section. A different user may own the purchase, or setting the relevant Virtual Game Card may be necessary to start downloading. Nintendo’s purchase instructions describe checking the HOME Menu, while its code troubleshooting also directs users to check Virtual Game Cards when redeemed content is not apparent.
Do not treat the absence of an icon on the first screen you check as proof that you need to purchase the item again. Work through the accounts on the console and the relevant Virtual Game Card sections before taking another action that could duplicate a purchase or code entry. If the HOME Menu does show the title with a progress indicator, the next useful check is whether it is still downloading; changing accounts or repeating the transaction will not make an in-progress download finish sooner.
Previously downloaded software is missing
Use the Nintendo Account that purchased the software and check its Virtual Game Card. Nintendo Japan says redownloading may not be available if the original Nintendo Account is no longer linked to the user or if Nintendo has ended redownload distribution for that item. Its purchase-history and redownload guidance explains this path and its limits. If the purchase was made by another user, checking only your own account may not reveal it.
This means that finding an old purchase record and being able to redownload the software are related but not identical questions. The purchasing account needs to be the one you use for the entitlement, and the item must still be eligible for redownload. If either condition is not met, repeating the same download attempt from a different user is unlikely to resolve the issue.
Check purchase history when you need to verify a transaction
Nintendo Japan provides a purchase-history page for checking purchases; its web records cover the previous two years. Use the account that made the transaction, and remember that a history record helps verify a purchase but does not change which Nintendo Account owns the item. See Nintendo’s purchase-history instructions.
Purchase history is a useful verification step if you are unsure whether an order completed or which account was involved. It is not a way to move content between accounts or to bypass Virtual Game Card requirements. Check the account before drawing a conclusion from an empty history view: a different user’s Nintendo Account may have made the purchase.
Read the exact download-code error before retrying
Different error codes point to different causes. Match the displayed code rather than treating every rejection as a mistyped entry. Nintendo’s support page for using and troubleshooting download codes lists these cases:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Error code | What it indicates | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 2813-0040 or 9001-0040 | The code has already been redeemed. | Check the HOME Menu for an active download. Check the Virtual Game Card sections for the users on the console, because another account may have redeemed the code. |
| 2813-6561 or 9001-6561 | The entered code is incorrect or unsupported. | Recheck the entry and confirm that the code is supported for the intended redemption. Do not assume an already-redeemed-code fix applies to this error. |
| 2813-0055 or 9001-0055 | The content may not yet be released. | Check the item’s release timing before trying again. For a Japan-market code, Nintendo also notes that the Nintendo Account country/region must be Japan. |
For a code that appears already used, check for the download and the accounts’ Virtual Game Cards before contacting the seller or buying another code. If an entry is reported as incorrect or unsupported, verify the code itself and its compatibility rather than repeatedly submitting it. The country/region requirement above is specifically stated for Japan-market codes; it is not a universal rule for every code or region.
Rank #2
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Use the displayed code to select the branch, not just the fact that the redemption failed. An already-redeemed code can point to a download or account that you have not checked yet. An incorrect or unsupported code calls for verifying the entry and the type of code. An unreleased item calls for checking its release timing. These are different conditions, so repeating the same submission without checking the relevant detail may simply produce the same result.
If you have more than one user on the console, include each user’s Virtual Game Card section in the already-redeemed-code check. The code may have been entered on a different user’s account, in which case looking only at the currently selected user can make a successful redemption look like a failure. If the code is tied to a particular market, also make sure that the account’s country or region matches any stated market restriction. The Japan-market restriction described by Nintendo should not be generalized to codes from other markets.
Fix missing DLC or an in-game reward
Add-on content is not showing up in a game
If the game was left suspended while the add-on was purchased or downloaded, close the software fully and launch it again. Nintendo Japan’s purchase guidance says suspended software does not install add-on content. Resuming the suspended game is not the same as closing and relaunching it.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Try this after checking that the relevant purchase belongs to the account you expect. A game left suspended may not install the add-on, even if the purchase itself completed. Fully closing and reopening the game gives it the launch it needs to recognize the add-on; simply returning to the suspended session is not the recommended equivalent.
A redeemed reward is not a separate HOME Menu icon
Some redeemed in-game items need to be claimed inside the game and may not appear as standalone software on the HOME Menu. Check the game’s own claim or reward process after launching it again. This is different from missing base software, for which you should check the purchase account and Virtual Game Card.
Before looking for a new icon, identify what the code or purchase was supposed to provide. A software title, a pass, add-on content, and an in-game item can appear differently. If the redemption was for an in-game reward, the next step may be an in-game claim rather than a separate download visible on the HOME Menu. If it was add-on content, close and relaunch the game and check the account that owns the purchase.
What to check when an eShop payment is declined
Start with the transaction details and the account rather than assuming a console fault. Confirm that the intended user is selected, that the item and displayed price are correct, and that the account balance covers the purchase if you are paying with funds already added to the account. Nintendo’s Japan purchase instructions include checking the balance and adding funds when necessary.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11- Confirm the selected user and Nintendo Account. A payment or purchase made under another user will be associated with that account, not automatically shared or transferred. If several people use the console, make sure the selected user is the one intended to own the software, pass, or funds.
- Check the item and amount. Confirm you are attempting to purchase the intended software or add-on and that the available account balance is sufficient if using account funds. An insufficient balance is a reason to add funds using an option supported for that account’s region, not a reason to repeat a purchase under a different user without checking first.
- Use payment guidance for your account’s region. Available methods and rules vary by region. Nintendo Japan lists credit cards, prepaid cards, and PayPal for topping up in its Japan-specific instructions. It also says PayPal is unavailable to accounts aged 17 or younger. Do not assume that list or age rule applies in other countries.
- If using a prepaid card, match it to the account region. A Nintendo eShop card is an account-balance top-up option where that card is supported, but it does not fix an account, code, or download problem. Use a card intended for the Nintendo Account’s region; the cited prepaid-card guidance is Japan-specific.
There is no single supported payment-method list in the cited instructions for every country or region. Confirm the country/region registered to your Nintendo Account and consult Nintendo’s current local payment guidance before choosing a payment route. In particular, do not assume that a payment method available in Japan is also available for an account registered elsewhere, or that the same age rule applies in every market.
Rank #3
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
A prepaid or gift card can be a limited option when the issue is adding eShop funds and the relevant type of card is sold and supported for the account’s region. It cannot correct a wrong account selection, make an unsupported download code valid, start a missing software download, or restore content that is no longer available for redownload. Match the card region first, and keep the payment problem separate from download and entitlement checks.
The available official guidance does not establish one payment-method list for every country or region, nor does it identify a universal fix for every declined-card message. Check Nintendo support for the region registered to your account and follow the exact message displayed during payment. If a purchase appears to have gone through despite a confusing payment screen, check the HOME Menu and the relevant account’s purchase history before trying again.
For slow or stalled downloads, check the connection and file size
Nintendo says Switch 2 downloads require an internet connection and may take longer depending on the connection and the amount of data. That means a long download is not, by itself, proof that a purchase failed. Confirm that the console is connected, check the HOME Menu’s progress, and allow time for the download to proceed. Nintendo Japan’s download and payment guidance describes the internet requirement and connection/file-size caveat.
Recommended Free Tools
Separate a slow download from a download that has not started. If the HOME Menu shows the software and progress, the purchase has moved into the download stage; the time required can depend on the connection and the size of the data. If no software icon or progress appears, return to the account and Virtual Game Card checks rather than assuming the connection is the only issue.
Nintendo’s cited guidance does not establish a universal minimum download speed, a specific router setting, or new networking or storage hardware as a proven fix for these problems. Avoid buying equipment or changing advanced network settings based only on a missing progress indicator; first establish whether the purchase is owned by the expected account and whether the download has started. A larger download or slower connection can take longer, but the available guidance does not provide a guaranteed completion time or one speed threshold that applies to every setup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose the right troubleshooting branch
| What you see | First check | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase completed, download absent | HOME Menu icon and progress | Check the purchasing account and its Virtual Game Card. |
| Code reported as already redeemed | Exact code and HOME Menu | Check other users’ Virtual Game Card sections before retrying or buying another code. |
| Code reported as incorrect or unavailable | Exact displayed error | Verify the entry and supported code type; check release timing and, for Japan-market codes, account country/region. |
| DLC or reward is missing | Whether the game was suspended and what kind of content was redeemed | Close and relaunch the game; look inside the game for in-game rewards. |
| Payment does not complete | Selected user, item, price, balance, and account region | Use payment options and rules supported for that region. |
| Previously downloaded software is missing | Purchasing account and Virtual Game Card | Set the relevant Virtual Game Card to redownload, if the account remains linked and the item is still available for redownload. |
If several symptoms overlap, take them in an order that preserves what you know. Start with the HOME Menu and exact error message. Then confirm the user and Nintendo Account, because ownership affects purchases, codes, funds, and redownloads. Check a Virtual Game Card where indicated, and only then move to connection time, payment methods, release timing, or in-game claiming. This avoids treating an account issue as a network fault or a missing reward as a missing software title.
When these checks do not resolve the problem
Keep the exact error code and the account that made the purchase or redeemed the code in view when consulting Nintendo support for your region. Those details help separate an already-used code, an unsupported entry, an unreleased item, and an account-specific entitlement. For a purchase you are trying to verify, use the applicable purchase-history page; for missing software, follow the Virtual Game Card and redownload guidance. Do not share account credentials or post a complete redeemable code publicly while seeking help.
For payment questions, include the account’s country/region and the payment method you were attempting, but follow Nintendo’s support process rather than relying on a payment list from a different market. For a long download, note whether the HOME Menu shows progress; for a missing add-on, note whether the game was suspended or fully closed and relaunched. These details help identify whether the issue is with transaction completion, entitlement, installation, or the connection.
Rank #4
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check first if a Nintendo Switch 2 eShop download is not starting?
Check the HOME Menu for the software icon and progress indicator. Then confirm which Nintendo Account bought or redeemed the item and check that account’s Virtual Game Card section. Do not buy again or enter the code again until you have checked those places.
Why does my Switch 2 download code say it has already been redeemed?
Nintendo maps 2813-0040 and 9001-0040 to a code that has already been redeemed. Check the HOME Menu for a download and look at the Virtual Game Card sections for the console’s users; another account may have redeemed it.
What do error codes 2813-6561 and 2813-0055 mean?
Nintendo maps 2813-6561 and 9001-6561 to an incorrect or unsupported code entry. Codes 2813-0055 and 9001-0055 can mean the content is not yet released. Check the code entry and supported code type for the former, and release timing for the latter.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Why is my DLC not appearing in a game after purchase?
If the game was suspended when you bought or downloaded the add-on, close the software fully and launch it again; Nintendo Japan says suspended software does not install add-on content. Also check that you are using the account associated with the purchase. Some in-game rewards must be claimed inside the game and may not appear as a separate HOME Menu icon.
Which payment methods can I use for Nintendo Switch 2 eShop purchases?
Payment methods vary by country or region. Nintendo Japan lists credit cards, prepaid cards, and PayPal for adding funds in its Japan-specific guidance, and says PayPal is unavailable to accounts aged 17 or younger. Check the payment options for the region registered to your account rather than assuming those rules apply everywhere.
Can I redownload software if I cannot find it on my Switch 2?
Check the Nintendo Account that purchased it and its Virtual Game Card. Nintendo Japan says redownload may be unavailable if the original account is no longer linked to the user or Nintendo has ended redownload distribution for the item.
The Bottom Line
For a Switch 2 eShop problem, start with the HOME Menu, the Nintendo Account that owns the purchase or code, and that account’s Virtual Game Card. Match the exact code error, fully close and relaunch a game to install add-on content, and use payment guidance for your account’s region. A long download can reflect connection speed and data size; buying new hardware or repeating a purchase is not an established fix.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
