Nintendo bans a number of Switch 2 consoles over the weekend, internal server error reportedly to blame

linuxares · 2026-09-07T14:18:56+0100

SDA said:
Missed opportunity to ban ALL of the Switch 2 consoles in the world.

That would be hilarious not gonna lie

Skv0ra · 2026-09-07T14:25:35+0100

Xzi said:
Hmm, in addition to getting the Duskbloods release date trailer during the Direct, there are rumors flying around for the reveal of several very notable multiplayer-focused games too. Possibly a test for a new anti-cheat system, in which case we better be getting rollback netcode along with it.

Funny thing is, seems like swatch 2 is actually the perfect system to house GTAO, but just imagine driving anything without the analog triggers....

Post automatically merged: Today at 2:26 PM

Kingofknights said:
Steam also has a kill switch. If they ban you then you cannot access their service, sure you have other options if you're on pc but the point still stands, any company can deny their service to you.

literally most steam games have been cracked, so no worries there.

The Catboy · 2026-09-07T15:07:06+0100

The Big N just reminding everyone that they can just do this

VioletRose · 2026-09-07T15:59:53+0100

LokeYourLord said:
I mean, anyone who buys a console with a kill switch in it deserves the inevitable outcome of the idea pushed to its logical conclusion.

How stupid. This can happen with ANY electronic device.

Snintendog · 2026-09-07T16:22:50+0100

VioletRose said:
How stupid. This can happen with ANY electronic device.

GBA... It just works.

kuro0628neko · 2026-09-07T16:23:38+0100

x65943 said:
This will be really fun for people who have an entire collection of games in the form of keycards

Unironically why I'm digital only at this point. I know it's a hot take, but these companies are moving this way no matter what the industry talking heads say. You vil own nahsing und be happy.

SS4 · 2026-09-07T16:27:05+0100

There is a reason why the PS3 and Wii were the last consoles i ever bought rofl
PC gaming is where its at nowadays, the golden age of console was the 90s and its long gone . . .

lordelan · 2026-09-07T17:09:04+0100

An employee was fired and went like "As my last action, I take you all with me to hell!"

LokeYourLord · 2026-09-07T17:39:40+0100

Kingofknights said:
Steam also has a kill switch. If they ban you then you cannot access their service, sure you have other options if you're on pc but the point still stands, any company can deny their service to you.

Since when exactly can Valve completely brick my PC again? Oh right, since never.
Also, no other console has had it before that has a kill switch in the form of a complete brick. Banned from service doesn't mean you can't play what you still own, and especially on PC you can crack the games, play offline, use other launchers, etc. When you use a walled garden console, you're done for. Do I... really need to explain logic as simple as this?

Scarlet · 2026-09-07T18:28:22+0100

LokeYourLord said:
Since when exactly can Valve completely brick my PC again? Oh right, since never.
Also, no other console has had it before that has a kill switch in the form of a complete brick. Banned from service doesn't mean you can't play what you still own, and especially on PC you can crack the games, play offline, use other launchers, etc. When you use a walled garden console, you're done for. Do I... really need to explain logic as simple as this?

I do think people made too big a deal out of the console bricking. Nintendo have had similar language in most of their modern systems.

3DS:
After your Nintendo 3DS System is updated or changed, any existing or future unauthorized modification of the hardware or software of your Nintendo 3DS System, or the use of an unauthorized device in connection with your Nintendo 3DS System, will render the system permanently unplayable.

Wii U:
After your Wii U System is updated or changed, any existing or future unauthorized modification of the hardware or software of your Wii U System, or the use of an unauthorized device in connection with your Wii U System, will render the system permanently unplayable.

Wii:
If we detect unauthorized software, services, or devices, your access to the Wii Network Service may be disabled and/or the Wii Console or games may be unplayable.

I'm not saying it's great, but I do wonder why it was only with the Switch 2 people kicked up such a fuss. They've never (as far as I know?) remotely bricked a console. I imagine it's just to cover their ass if people mod their things and them downloading an official update bricks the system for whatever reason.

RyanTheArchivist · 2026-09-07T18:51:47+0100

Scarlet said:
View attachment 589396

Over the weekend a number of Switch and Switch 2 related subreddits came alive with people reporting bans on their Switch 2 consoles out of nowhere. The error code shown, 2124-4508, completely restricts a console's ability to interact with Nintendo's online services. This most importantly means no access to the eShop, along with any kind of online play. On the various posts floating around, posters claimed to have had nothing to do with piracy, with many stating they have never so much as bought a pre-owned game for the system, adding further confusion as to what exactly might have triggered the error.

Today these bans appear to have been reversed, with affected users advised to reboot their console if they were affected. One poster stated that, after a conversation with a Nintendo support representative, they were told that this was all a result of an internal server error.

Were you affected over the weekend, or know somebody who was? Let us know below.

Source, Source

These bans also acted quite different than the current ones. You still got the exact same error code and message but, instead of not loading the eShop at all and getting the popup it was actually loading the eShop and just giving an error on the webpage. Makes me think these weren't bans in the traditional sense they normally do. Hell good chance these werent even actual bans and its just falling back to that message. But, seeing it was fixed within a day of it happening is good to see.

Post automatically merged: Today at 6:52 PM

linuxares said:
Probably AI code

With how much Nintendo locks down their OS there is no way they are doing that. That would probably be one of the easiest ways to open an entrypoint. And with HOS it is VERY clear they not only have programmers but, also people reviewing their code for additional precautions.

linuxares · 2026-09-07T19:09:38+0100

RyanTheArchivist said:
These bans also acted quite different than the current ones. You still got the exact same error code and message but, instead of not loading the eShop at all and getting the popup it was actually loading the eShop and just giving an error on the webpage. Makes me think these weren't bans in the traditional sense they normally do. Hell good chance these werent even actual bans and its just falling back to that message. But, seeing it was fixed within a day of it happening is good to see.

Post automatically merged: Today at 6:52 PM

With how much Nintendo locks down their OS there is no way they are doing that. That would probably be one of the easiest ways to open an entrypoint. And with HOS it is VERY clear they not only have programmers but, also people reviewing their code for additional precautions.

This sounds more like a server issue than a Switch issue.

RyanTheArchivist · 2026-09-07T19:23:51+0100

linuxares said:
This sounds more like a server issue than a Switch issue.

Bingo

Ettino · 2026-09-07T19:46:46+0100

Kingofknights said:
Steam also has a kill switch. If they ban you then you cannot access their service, sure you have other options if you're on pc but the point still stands, any company can deny their service to you.

Yeah, but it was Nintendo. So, it's bad!

Lemme tell you something about GBAtemp's double standard. :teach:

raxadian · 2026-09-07T20:16:31+0100

So now is not even buying used games.

Thanks Nintendo and Sony, you have made me abandon modern console gaming.

thekarter104 · 2026-09-07T20:57:53+0100

raxadian said:
So now is not even buying used games.

Thanks Nintendo and Sony, you have made me abandon modern console gaming.

The reason why using used games is get you banned is just because someone dumped the cart, used it on their Switch. Sells the cartridge. You buy it. Seller uses MIG switch or something similar. Game also starts up with the same cartridge ID at the same time on the other system. Nintendo's anti-piracy automated systems bans both Switches.

Oh, and it can even happen when that cartridge is dumped, uploaded on the internet and someone else using it...

So Nintendo's automated systems are flawed. There is a video explaining how to get your Switch 2 unbanned with all the proof that you bought the cartridge.
It's a hassle...

I can't find that video, but it's useful.

Edit. Found a video that's explaining it all.

Can't find the other video that shows the whole process.

handy333 · 2026-09-07T21:54:44+0100

Seems like drama bait.

ChibiMofo · 2026-09-07T22:16:35+0100

handy333 said:
Seems like drama bait.

Welcome to GBATemp. Please enjoy your stay.

Moogley · 2026-09-07T23:12:11+0100

Most people don't understand that getting banned includes losing the ability to download files from game key cards.

There is a non-zero chance that when you buy a used game, you will lose access to your "physical" library too.

But if you bought a console with a known kill switch in it, you can't really act surprised now.

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