used the wrong FAT32/exFAT firmware, what are my options

nine0nine · May 30, 2026

I used daybreak today to attempt to update the switch and accidently chose the wrong file format for the firmware. I usually just update which the menu option in the switch menus, and thought this way would be beter, and..here we are.

So I chose the 'non-exFAT' firmware when my SD card is formatted as exFAT and it now boots to the error screen telling meto either reformat my SD card as FAT32 or manually flash exFAT firmware to package2.

I did a search for the issue and only found posts from 2021ish time, so hopefully there are some more recent (easier) options than the ones discussed in the search results.

Its a 1TB SD card, so backing that up and reformatting it isnt something I want to do unless I really have to, so how do I manyally flash to package2?

Oh, and the switch is a day 1 OG model.

The Real Jdbye · May 30, 2026

nine0nine said:
I used daybreak today to attempt to update the switch and accidently chose the wrong file format for the firmware. I usually just update which the menu option in the switch menus, and thought this way would be beter, and..here we are.

So I chose the 'non-exFAT' firmware when my SD card is formatted as exFAT and it now boots to the error screen telling meto either reformat my SD card as FAT32 or manually flash exFAT firmware to package2.

I did a search for the issue and only found posts from 2001ish time, so hopefully there are some more recent (easier) options than the ones discussed in the search results.

Its a 1TB SD card, so backing that up and reformatting it isnt something I want to do unless I really have to, so how do I manyally flash to package2?

Oh, and the switch is a day 1 OG model.

You don't want to use exFAT, it will corrupt sooner or later.
Please, take the time to back up and reformat as FAT32.

nine0nine · May 30, 2026

The Real Jdbye said:
You don't want to use exFAT, it will corrupt sooner or later.
Please, take the time to back up and reformat as FAT32.

this is like my 8th year of using it as exFAT without issues, but after googling a little, I am now paranoid it's on the brink of self destruction so I think I will do that.

Is it just a case of backup, format, copy back over and it'll work or do i need to do anything else?

The Real Jdbye · May 30, 2026

nine0nine said:
this is like my 8th year of using it as exFAT without issues, but after googling a little, I am now paranoid it's on the brink of self destruction so I think I will do that.

Is it just a case of backup, format, copy back over and it'll work or do i need to do anything else?

Yeah. Just be careful to not format over the emuNAND partition. I like to make an emuNAND backup in Hekate before messing with the SD, just to be safe. Then that gets copied along with everything else when you backup the files.

You can use guiformat, it shouldn't affect the emuNAND partition:
http://ridgecrop.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm

nine0nine · May 30, 2026

I dont think I set up an emunand partition, I didnt do any of the precautions to prevent banning, I was already banned before the scene figured that out.

The Real Jdbye · May 30, 2026

nine0nine said:
I dont think I set up an emunand partition, I didnt do any of the precautions to prevent banning, I was already banned before the scene figured that out.

Ok, nothing to worry about then.

used the wrong FAT32/exFAT firmware, what are my options

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