Nintendo Switch Error Code 2813-9712 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error 2813-9712 means your Nintendo eShop purchase could not be completed. Your payment was declined or a billing issue prevented the transaction. Checking your payment method and account balance usually fixes this.

Affected Models

Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch OLED

Common Causes

Your credit or debit card on file is expired or has insufficient funds
Your billing address on the Nintendo account does not match your bank's records
Your bank blocked the transaction as an unusual or suspicious charge
The Nintendo eShop servers are temporarily experiencing payment issues
You are trying to buy content not available in your account's region

How to Fix It

Check your payment method on your Nintendo account. Go to accounts.nintendo.com on a PC or phone, sign in, and go to Shop Menu > Manage Nintendo eShop Funds. Make sure your card is current.

An expired card is the most common cause. Cards expire every 3 to 4 years — easy to miss.
Make sure your billing address matches what your bank has on file. Even a small difference (like abbreviating 'Street' to 'St') can cause a payment to be rejected.

Update your billing address in your Nintendo account to exactly match your bank's records.
Try using a Nintendo eShop gift card instead of a credit card. Buy a gift card at a store or online, redeem it on your account, and use the balance to purchase.

Gift card balance bypasses payment processing entirely — a reliable workaround for stubborn payment errors.
Call your bank and ask them to allow Nintendo eShop transactions. Some banks flag gaming purchases automatically.

A quick call to your bank's fraud department can unblock the transaction immediately.
Check Nintendo's eShop status. Visit nintendo.com/consumer/network for server status. If eShop payments are experiencing issues, wait and try again later.

Payment system outages are rare but do happen, especially during major sales.

When to Call a Professional

Error 2813-9712 does not require professional help. If your payment keeps being declined and your card details are correct, contact your bank. For Nintendo account billing issues, contact Nintendo Support at support.nintendo.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be charged if the purchase fails?

No. Error 2813-9712 means the transaction did not go through. You will not be charged if the error appears. If you see a pending charge on your bank statement, it should disappear within a few business days.

Can I use PayPal to buy on the Nintendo eShop?

Yes, PayPal is accepted on the Nintendo eShop in most regions. You can add PayPal as a payment method in your Nintendo account settings. This is a good alternative if your credit card keeps being declined.

Can I share digital games I buy on eShop with family members?

Yes, through Nintendo Switch Online's family membership or by designating a Primary Console. On the primary console, all accounts can play your downloaded games. Other Switches can only play your games when you are signed in on that console.