Nintendo Switch Error Code 2155-0002 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error 2155-0002 means your Nintendo Switch cannot read the game cartridge you inserted. The cartridge may be dirty, damaged, or not fully seated in the slot. Cleaning the cartridge contacts usually fixes this.

Affected Models

Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch OLED

Common Causes

The game cartridge's metal contacts are dirty or covered in dust or fingerprints
The cartridge is not fully inserted and is making poor contact with the reader
The cartridge has been physically damaged — bent pins or a cracked board
The Switch's cartridge slot has dust or debris inside it blocking the connection
The cartridge itself has a manufacturing defect or has developed a fault

How to Fix It

Remove the cartridge and blow gently into the cartridge slot on the Switch. Then gently blow on the gold contacts at the bottom of the cartridge. Reinsert it firmly until it clicks.

Dust inside the slot or on the contacts is the most common cause of read errors.
Clean the cartridge contacts. Lightly dampen a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) and gently wipe the gold contacts at the bottom of the cartridge. Let it dry completely before reinserting.

Do not use water or household cleaning products — only isopropyl alcohol.
Try the cartridge in a different Nintendo Switch if you have access to one. If it works in another Switch, your Switch's cartridge reader may need cleaning or repair. If it does not work in any Switch, the cartridge is faulty.

This one test immediately tells you whether the problem is the cartridge or the console.
Restart your Switch after reinserting the cartridge. Hold the power button for 3 seconds, select Power Options > Restart, then try loading the game again.

Sometimes the Switch needs a fresh boot to properly detect a cartridge after reinsertion.
Check if the cartridge is a genuine Nintendo product. Counterfeit cartridges look nearly identical to real ones but use different chips that the Switch cannot read. Look for inconsistencies in the cartridge's print quality or weight.

Genuine Nintendo Switch cartridges have a small notch in the top-right corner of the cartridge.

When to Call a Professional

If the cartridge works on another Switch but not yours, your Switch's cartridge slot may be damaged. Nintendo authorized repair centers can replace the cartridge slot. Do not attempt to clean the slot with liquids — this can cause permanent damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a replacement cartridge if mine is faulty?

Yes — if the cartridge is genuinely faulty and within warranty, the game publisher or Nintendo may replace it. Contact the game publisher's customer support with proof of purchase. For Nintendo first-party games, Nintendo Support can help with replacements.

Is it safe to clean my cartridge with alcohol?

Yes — isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) is safe for cleaning electronic contacts. Apply it to a cotton swab, not directly to the cartridge. Let the contact area dry fully — usually just a minute or two — before inserting.

My Switch is reading some cartridges but not others. What does that mean?

This usually means the problem is with the specific cartridge, not your Switch. Different cartridges have slightly different tolerances — one may work while another does not. Try cleaning the contacts on the cartridge that is failing — this almost always resolves selective read errors.