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2001-0118

Nintendo 2001-0118 on Nintendo Switch: error while using a game

Verified with sources4 sourcesReviewed Oct 4, 2026
Technician coming? See the 2 steps they must show you
Nintendo Switch (OLED model) console with white Joy-Con
PantheraLeo1359531CC BY 4.0Image source

Risk level

Low

Usually safe to check without specialist tools.

Urgency

Medium

Quick answer

2001-0118 appears on Nintendo Switch while playing or using an app. Restart from Power Options, update the console and the game, check for corrupted data and redownload; with a microSD card, format it, replace it or download without it.

Safety first

Stop and check this first

  • Do not open the console or tamper with the card slot. If the error continues after Nintendo's steps, the repair belongs to Nintendo's service centre.
  • Formatting the microSD card deletes everything on it and Nintendo warns it cannot be recovered. Back up screenshots and videos to a computer first. Downloaded software can be redownloaded with the same Nintendo Account.
  • Use the twelve second forced shutdown only if the console does not respond; the normal restart is from Power Options.

Safe checks you can perform

  • Restart the console
  • Update console and game, check for corrupted data
  • Delete the game and redownload it
  • Format, replace or remove the microSD card

Leave these tasks to a qualified professional

  • Do not attempt this professional task: Ask the microSD card maker
  • Do not attempt this professional task: Ask Nintendo customer support

What a technician must be able to justify

Technician visit

These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.

These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.

  1. Ask the microSD card maker

    What they doIf the error goes away when the card is removed and returns with it even after formatting, contact the card's maker or the shop that sold it.

    They must show youthe check they run on the card.

    In writingthe case number and whether they replace or refund the card.

  2. Ask Nintendo customer support

    What they doIf 2001-0118 still appears after every step on the page, even without a microSD card, contact Nintendo customer support and explain what you have tried.

    They must show youwhich checks they review and the next step they propose.

    In writingthe case number, the date and the fix or diagnosis they give you.

Before accepting a part or repair

Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.

Follow these steps

Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.

  1. Restart the console

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    hold the POWER Button for at least three seconds and select Power Options > Restart. If the console does not respond, hold POWER for twelve seconds to force a shutdown, then turn it on again.
    Result that matters:
    seeing whether the game shows 2001-0118 again after the restart.
    If it does not come back:
    it was a one-off fault.
    If it comes back:
    update the console and the game.
    Evidence to keep:
    which game or app you were using and when the code appeared.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support)

  2. Update console and game, check for corrupted data

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, with an internet connection.
    How:
    perform a system update and check whether the game has updates. Then open System Settings > Data Management > Software, choose the game and select Check for Corrupted Data.
    Result that matters:
    ruling out old versions and corrupted data.
    If the error goes away:
    no need to go further.
    If it continues:
    delete the game and redownload it.
    Evidence to keep:
    system version, game version and result of the check.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support) · How to Check for Corrupted Data in Downloadable Software on Nintendo Switch (Nintendo UK Support)

  3. Delete the game and redownload it

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    delete the problematic game or software and download it again. Do it only for the software that shows the error.
    Result that matters:
    seeing whether a fresh copy of the software runs without the error.
    If it works:
    the problem was the installed copy.
    If it continues and you use a microSD card:
    check the card.
    Evidence to keep:
    date of the new download and whether the error returned.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support)

  4. Format, replace or remove the microSD card

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, if you use a microSD card, after backing up screenshots and videos to a computer.
    How:
    format the card from System Settings > System > Formatting Options, or replace it with another. You can also remove it and download the game directly to the console's system memory.
    Result that matters:
    knowing whether the error depends on the card.
    If the game works with the formatted card, another card or from system memory:
    the problem was the card.
    If the error continues even without a card:
    contact Nintendo customer support with your test history.
    Evidence to keep:
    which cards you tried and the result from system memory.

    Formatting erases the whole card; back up screenshots and videos first.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support) · How to Format a microSD Card or microSD Express card on a Console (Nintendo UK Support)

Still not solved

If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.

Where this code applies

A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

Primary scope

System
Gaming and consoles
Brand
Nintendo
Product type
Nintendo Switch

Known code variants

  • 2001-0118 al jugar
  • 2001-0118 game crash
  • 2001-0118 se cierra el juego
  • 2001-0118 while playing
  • código de error 2001-0118 Switch
  • error 2001-0118 Nintendo Switch
  • error code 2001-0118 Switch
  • Nintendo Switch 2001-0118
  • Switch 2 2001-0118

What it means

Nintendo describes 2001-0118 as an error shown while running a game or other application on Nintendo Switch; the page is listed for Switch and Switch 2. Its solutions go from general to specific: restart, system and software updates, corrupted data, delete and redownload and, if you use a microSD card, format it, replace it or download the game to system memory. The code does not prove on its own that the console or the card is faulty, and the page has no repair step.

Warnings and stop conditions

  • Loweditorial warning

    Do not open the console or tamper with the card slot. If the error continues after Nintendo's steps, the repair belongs to Nintendo's service centre.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support)

  • Mediumsource verified

    Formatting the microSD card deletes everything on it and Nintendo warns it cannot be recovered. Back up screenshots and videos to a computer first. Downloaded software can be redownloaded with the same Nintendo Account.

    Evidence: How to Format a microSD Card or microSD Express card on a Console (Nintendo UK Support)

  • Lowsource verified

    Use the twelve second forced shutdown only if the console does not respond; the normal restart is from Power Options.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support)

Symptoms and causes

Probable causes · in order

  • Temporary system faultPossible

    Nintendo's first step is restarting from Power Options, or forcing a shutdown if the console does not respond; a momentary freeze clears that way.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support)

  • System or game out of datePossible

    Nintendo asks you to perform a system update and check whether the problematic game or software has updates available.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support)

  • Corrupted software dataCommon

    If the corrupted data check finds a problem, or the error continues, Nintendo says to delete the software and redownload it.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support) · How to Check for Corrupted Data in Downloadable Software on Nintendo Switch (Nintendo UK Support)

  • microSD card problemPossible

    If the issue persists and you use a microSD card, Nintendo suggests formatting it, replacing it or removing it and downloading the game to system memory.

    Evidence: Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support)

Virtual technician

Does 2001-0118 still appear after these checks?

Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.

Start diagnosis

Sources and technical references

  1. 1

    Código de error 2001-0118 de Nintendo Switch (Ayuda de Nintendo España)

    Ayuda de Nintendo España · 2026 · official_doc

  2. 2

    Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support)

    Nintendo UK Support · 2026 · official_doc

  3. 3

    How to Format a microSD Card or microSD Express card on a Console (Nintendo UK Support)

    Nintendo UK Support · 2026 · official_doc

  4. 4

    How to Check for Corrupted Data in Downloadable Software on Nintendo Switch (Nintendo UK Support)

    Nintendo UK Support · 2026 · official_doc

Sources: Código de error 2001-0118 de Nintendo Switch (Ayuda de Nintendo España) · Nintendo Switch error code 2001-0118 (Nintendo UK Support) · How to Format a microSD Card or microSD Express card on a Console (Nintendo UK Support) · How to Check for Corrupted Data in Downloadable Software on Nintendo Switch (Nintendo UK Support)reviewed 2026-10-04 · verified

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