On a Nintendo Switch 2, open Nintendo eShop from the HOME Menu, select the user linked to the Nintendo Account that should receive the purchase or balance, choose Enter Code, type the 16-character code, review what will be added, and confirm. The balance, game, add-on, or Nintendo Switch Online membership is permanently assigned to that Nintendo Account, so choose it carefully before submitting.
If redemption fails, first identify the code type, check that its country or region matches the account, and verify that the content has been released. Errors such as 2813-0040, 2813-6561, and 2813-0055 each point to different fixes; an “already used” message can mean the redemption already succeeded.
| # | 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 these details before entering the code
A Nintendo code is not a universal voucher. The printed product, the account that is signed in, the code’s market, and the release status of the content all affect whether redemption works. Spending a few minutes on these checks can prevent assigning a card to the wrong family member or repeatedly entering a code that is valid but intended for another market.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIdentify what the code redeems
Nintendo groups the commonly used codes into three categories:
#1 Best Overall
- eCash - Nintendo eShop Gift Card $100
- Prepaid or eShop cards: add funds to the Nintendo eShop balance of the selected Nintendo Account.
- Download cards: start the download of a specified game or add-on. They do not function as general wallet credit.
- Nintendo Switch Online membership cards: redeem or extend a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
These categories are not interchangeable. A download card cannot normally be converted into wallet balance, and a membership card is not a substitute for either a prepaid card or a game download code. Read the product description, the title or membership term, and any market label on the card before opening eShop. If you bought a digital code online, distinguish the Nintendo code from an order number, activation reference, or a PIN for another service.
Choose the permanent destination account
On the console, select the user whose Nintendo Account should own the result. Nintendo states that a redeemed balance, download, or membership cannot later be transferred to another account. If several family members use the same Switch, do not assume that choosing a different local user later will move the purchase. A parent who wants a child to receive the game should select the child’s linked Nintendo Account before entering the code, not after the download starts.
Match the code market to the account region
Nintendo’s Japan support instructions say Japan-market prepaid and download codes require a Nintendo Account whose country or region is set to Japan. A code bought for another market may be rejected by an account set elsewhere. The detailed region rule cited here is Japan-specific; readers in other countries should follow their local Nintendo support instructions and purchase codes intended for the country or region on their Nintendo Account.
Recommended Free Tools
Do not change an account’s country or region merely as a guess. The support pages establish that market compatibility matters, but they do not establish every eligibility condition or consequence of changing that setting. Resolve the code’s intended market first. If a seller supplied the wrong country version, asking the seller about an exchange is usually safer than making an account change that could affect other account features.
Check whether the item is available yet
A game or add-on code can be valid but unusable before the product’s release date. If the error says the content is unavailable, check the announced release date as well as the account region before trying the code again. This is especially relevant for a download card sold ahead of a launch: the characters can be correct, but Nintendo may not activate redemption until the stated date.
Redeem a code on Nintendo Switch 2
These are Nintendo Japan’s current console steps for Switch 2. Menu wording can differ slightly by system language or software version, but the path is the same.
- Connect the console to the internet and open Nintendo eShop from the HOME Menu.
- When prompted, select the user linked to the Nintendo Account that should own the balance, game, add-on, or membership.
- In eShop, choose Enter Code.
- Enter the code’s 16 characters. Check each character against the card or receipt before continuing. Enter the characters from the Nintendo code itself, not a barcode number or retailer order ID.
- Review the item, amount, or membership shown on screen. Stop if the displayed product is not what you expected. This review is your last practical opportunity to catch the wrong account or wrong product before assignment.
- Confirm the redemption and follow any download prompt. A game or add-on may begin downloading immediately or be queued for download.
What to check after confirmation
For a prepaid card, open the account’s eShop balance and verify that the funds were added. For a game or add-on, return to the HOME Menu and look for the software or its download progress. If the title is not visible, open the eShop account’s redownload or software area and check the other users on the console. For an in-game item, launch the relevant game; some items are delivered through an in-game mailbox, menu, or claim screen rather than appearing as a separate HOME icon.
If a download is queued, leave the console connected to the internet and check its progress rather than entering the code again. A second entry after a successful redemption commonly produces an “already used” response, which can be confusing when the original download is still pending.
Redeem through Nintendo Store on a phone or computer
Nintendo also documents redemption through Nintendo Store in a web browser. This is useful when the console is unavailable, but it does not remove the account, market, or release-date requirements.
- Open Nintendo Store on a phone or computer and sign in to the Nintendo Account that should receive the code.
- Open the page for entering a prepaid or download code.
- Type the 16-character code exactly as printed.
- Verify the account and the item or balance presented by the store.
- Confirm redemption. The result remains attached to that Nintendo Account and cannot be moved to another one.
After web redemption, start the console with the same Nintendo Account. A game or add-on may need to download, while a balance increase should be visible the next time that account opens eShop. If the code is for an in-game item, start the game and use its item-claim process. If the web page shows an unexpected account, sign out and stop rather than confirming; the code cannot be reassigned afterward.
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.
Code types at a glance
| Code type | What it provides | Account and market checks | Typical availability check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid/eShop card | Funds added to the selected Nintendo Account’s eShop balance | The account must match the code’s market; Japan-market cards require a Japan-region account under Nintendo Japan’s instructions | Balance is normally available after confirmation |
| Download card | A specified game or add-on download | The intended account is permanent; the code must be valid for that store and market | The title must have reached its release or redemption date |
| Nintendo Switch Online membership card | A new or extended Nintendo Switch Online membership | Redeem while signed in to the membership’s intended account and use a code for the correct market | Membership status should update after successful confirmation |
When comparing two cards, compare what they redeem, the country or region they support, the account currently signed in, and whether the content is available. Do not treat denominations or prices from one country as universal. A higher-value prepaid card is not automatically better than a download card: one adds flexible balance, while the other is tied to a named title or add-on.
Fix error 2813-0040 or 9001-0040: the code was already used
Nintendo describes these errors as indicating that the entered download code has already been used. That does not always mean the purchase is lost; redemption may have completed earlier on the same account or on another user of the console.
- Return to the HOME Menu and look for the game or add-on icon and its download status.
- Open the virtual game-card area and check whether the title is assigned there.
- Check every user on the console and the Nintendo Accounts linked to those users.
- If the code was for an in-game item, launch the game and look for its mailbox, item menu, or claim screen.
- Check the account’s eShop purchase or redownload area before contacting support.
Also verify that you are looking at the same Nintendo Account used during redemption. Families often have several users on one console, and a title assigned to one account will not necessarily appear in another user’s software list. If the content is present, the error is evidence that the code was accepted, not a reason to buy another copy.
Do not repeatedly give the code to other people or publish the full code while asking for help. A code that has been redeemed cannot be made unused again. Keep the receipt and card privately in case Nintendo or the retailer needs transaction details.
Fix error 2813-6561 or 9001-6561: invalid number or wrong code type
Nintendo says these errors can occur when the number is invalid for Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store, or when it was entered incorrectly. Accepted codes include prepaid, download, and Nintendo Switch Online codes, along with other codes explicitly designated for those Nintendo stores.
PC 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 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWork through the entry carefully
- Confirm that the product is a Nintendo redemption code, not a code for a third-party service, game publisher, or website.
- Compare the printed characters with what appears on screen and re-enter them slowly.
- Remove spaces or punctuation unless the entry screen specifically requests them.
- If the code came from a receipt or email, use the complete code and not an order number, PIN for a different service, or barcode reference.
- Check that you are redeeming it in Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store rather than in a game’s separate code field.
Nintendo says the letters O, I, and Z are not used in Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store codes. If a printed character looks like one of them, compare it with the surrounding type and the original receipt. Do not substitute a visually similar character at random; recheck the card or ask the retailer to clarify the printing.
If the same error remains after a careful re-entry, keep the receipt and the card or message. Do not post an unused code publicly; support may need proof of purchase, but the full code should be shared only through Nintendo’s official support process. A retailer’s activation failure and a Nintendo typing error are different problems, so retain evidence of where and when the code was obtained.
Fix error 2813-0055 or 9001-0055: unreleased content or region mismatch
Nintendo associates these errors with two main possibilities: the item is not yet released, or the Nintendo Account country or region does not match the code’s market.
Check the release date
For a download card tied to a future game or add-on, wait until the product’s stated release or redemption date. Entering the code earlier can produce an unavailable-content error even when the characters are correct. Check the product listing or card packaging for the date, then try again after release rather than repeatedly changing account settings.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Check the account country or region
Review the country or region on the Nintendo Account that you selected in eShop. Under Nintendo Japan’s guidance, a Japan-market code cannot be redeemed on an account set to another country or region. The safest correction is to obtain a code intended for the account’s existing market or consult the support instructions for that 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.
Changing the country or region is not a guaranteed fix. The cited Nintendo pages explain the compatibility requirement but do not promise that every account, balance, membership, or purchase remains eligible after a region change. Confirm the consequences with Nintendo before altering the account setting. Never assume that a code bought while traveling will work simply because the console itself is being used in another country.
When a card appears to contain O, I, or Z
Nintendo says those letters are not used in Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store codes. They are easy to confuse with similar-looking characters on a printed card or receipt. Recheck the original printing, lighting, and font before trying another entry.
If the code genuinely contains O, I, or Z, verify that it is not intended for a third-party service. Entering a non-Nintendo service code in eShop will not work and can lead to an invalid-number error. Do not “correct” the code by guessing; ask the seller which Nintendo product was purchased.
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 →Other symptoms and the right next check
The balance did not change
Confirm that you selected the intended Nintendo Account before redemption. Then close and reopen eShop and inspect the balance for that account. Do not redeem the code a second time until you know which account received it; a second attempt can return an “already used” message. If another family member’s account was selected, the balance remains assigned there.
The game is not on the HOME Menu
Check download progress, available storage, the virtual game-card area, and every local user. A successful web redemption can still require the console to download the title. If the code was for an add-on, open the base game and check its downloadable-content section. An add-on may not display as a separate HOME Menu icon even though it is installed.
An in-game item is missing
Start the game with the account that redeemed the code and follow the game’s delivery or claim instructions. Downloadable items are not always separate HOME Menu software. Look for the game’s mailbox, item menu, or claim screen before concluding that redemption failed.
The code came from another country
Stop before entering it repeatedly. Confirm the code’s market and the Nintendo Account country or region. A Japan-market code, for example, requires a Japan-region account under Nintendo Japan’s support guidance; readers elsewhere should apply the equivalent rule for their own market. If the markets do not match, contact the seller or use a correctly matched code rather than exposing the code online.
Buying a replacement or another card safely
Buy a code explicitly intended for the country or region of the receiving Nintendo Account. In Japan, Nintendo’s prepaid-code information lists denominations of ¥500, ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000, and ¥9,000, and names Amazon among online purchase channels. Those denominations and that channel are Japan-market information, not a guarantee of current stock, availability in another country, or universal card values. If you search Amazon, use the phrase “Nintendo eShop gift card” and verify the market label before paying.
Keep the receipt, order confirmation, and the original card until redemption is visible on the correct account. A seller’s activation problem, a mistyped code, and a Nintendo account-region mismatch require different support routes, so preserve the evidence that identifies where the transaction occurred. Never send a photograph that exposes the complete unused code in a public review, forum, or social post.
A quick decision checklist
- What is it? Prepaid balance, a specific game or add-on, or Nintendo Switch Online membership?
- Who should own it? Select that Nintendo Account before entering the code; ownership cannot be transferred later.
- Which market? Match the card’s country or region to the account. The explicit Japan requirement applies to Japan-market codes under Nintendo Japan’s instructions.
- Is the content available? Check the release date for unreleased games and add-ons.
- What does the error say? Treat “already used,” “invalid number,” and “unavailable or region mismatch” as separate cases.
- Where should the result appear? Balance in eShop, software in the HOME Menu or virtual game-card area, membership in account status, and some in-game items inside the game.
- What evidence do you have? Keep the receipt, order confirmation, card, and the exact error without publishing the full code.
The official mappings and procedures above come from Nintendo Support Japan’s Using a Download Code (Redeem) and How to Purchase Nintendo Prepaid Codes pages, accessed October 11, 2026. Their detailed market instructions are Japan-specific; use your local Nintendo support site for country-specific rules.
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
How many characters is a Nintendo eShop code?
The redemption steps described by Nintendo use a 16-character code. Enter the characters from the Nintendo code itself, not a retailer order number, barcode reference, or another service’s PIN.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Can I move a redeemed Nintendo eShop balance or game to another account?
No. Nintendo says the balance, download, or membership belongs to the Nintendo Account selected during redemption and cannot later be transferred. Verify the account before confirming.
Why does Nintendo error 2813-0040 say the code was already used?
The code may have been redeemed successfully earlier. Check the HOME Menu, virtual game-card area, every user on the console, the account’s redownload area, and the relevant game’s item-claim screen before contacting support.
What does Nintendo error 2813-6561 mean?
Nintendo associates it with an invalid number, a mistyped entry, or a code that is not valid for Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store. Confirm the code type, recheck every character, and make sure it is not for a third-party service.
Why am I seeing Nintendo error 2813-0055?
The item may not be released yet, or the Nintendo Account country or region may not match the code’s market. Check both the release date and account region before retrying.
Can I use a Japan Nintendo eShop card on an account from another country?
Nintendo Japan says Japan-market prepaid and download codes require a Nintendo Account set to Japan. Readers elsewhere should follow their local Nintendo support rules and buy a code intended for their account’s market.
What should I do if the card seems to contain O, I, or Z?
Nintendo says those letters are not used in Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store codes. Compare the printing with the original card or receipt and confirm that the product is actually a Nintendo code rather than a third-party service code.
Where does a redeemed add-on or in-game item appear?
An add-on may be listed with the base game or in its downloadable-content area rather than as a separate HOME icon. In-game items may arrive through the game’s mailbox, item menu, or claim screen.
The Bottom Line
Choose the correct Nintendo Account first, match the code’s market, and confirm that the content is released. Then redeem the 16-character code through Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store and verify where the result appears. For errors, separate an already-used code (2813-0040/9001-0040), an invalid or mistyped code (2813-6561/9001-6561), and an unreleased or region-mismatched item (2813-0055/9001-0055). Keep purchase evidence private and never post a complete unused code.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →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.
