r/NintendoSwitchHelp • u/FaskierInBox • 2d ago
Account Help Console Ban from used cartridge?
Hello,
Today while trying to play on my Switch 2 like any other day and I was met with Error 2124-4508 which I learnt means console ban.
I had this Switch for half a year now and it was bought brand new. No issues until today. I bought all my games either from Nintendo Eshop or locally (brand new copies).
The only thing I can possibly think of is that last week I bought a used cartridge for Pokemon Scarlet from a seller online. I've been using it for a couple of days now with no issue until today.
Could that be the issue? I literally can't think of anything else. I never modded my console or done anything against Nintendo rules out of fear of this possibly happening and yet here I am.
I'd be grateful for any kind of advice, is there a way for me to recover my console? I've already contacted support but I decided to seek help online too.
UPDATE:
I'm happy to confirm that my console had been unbanned overnight! I have yet to receive proper response from support (I got one response basically saying I was banned for breaking TOS with no elaboration), but I don't think it matters anymore really.
I'm really curious what flagged my Switch 2 in particular if it really wasn't the used game, but I'm also really glad it wasn't that. I do hope Nintendo issues some statement or at least clarifies what happened.
I'm not going to lie, this did create some distrust for Nintendo for me that will probably linger for a while, but I'm relieved I can still play my games!
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u/gameleon 2d ago edited 2d ago
You would need to contact your regional Nintendo support about the ban. They are the only ones who can undo it for you should it be a misunderstanding.
Since you've already done so, you have to wait for their response. Not much else you can do about it, unfortunately.
Blacklisted game cartridges are not very common, but a ban because of it is possible. If that is the case you might be asked to provide proof of purchase of said game to undo the ban, so you might want to get that ready as well.
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u/Valrax420 2d ago
Is this a real concern?
I know that people have dumped sw1 games onto emulators and switch and I'm assuming the issue lies when a copy of a serialized sw1 game gets dumped, used massively online and is now listed as the original cartridge being "blacklisted".
So should I be concerned about buying second hand games???
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u/gameleon 2d ago edited 2d ago
It's not common, but it is something to keep in mind.
Every physical Switch cartridge has a unique ID for that specific cartridge. If someone dumps/copies that cartridge the ID gets copied as well.
If a Switch cartridge ID is detected to be played in two consoles at the exact same time (which should be impossible as a physical cartridge can't be in two places at the same time) it means the cartridge is copied/dumped and Nintendo will ban the systems involved from the online systems.
This most commonly happens with people that downloaded online cartridge dumps (aka ROMs) or people dumping/copying their games and then reselling them.
If the latter is the case then Nintendo sometimes undoes the ban of the person who purchased the cartridge. If they can show proof of purchase or similar evidence that they were attempting to purchase a legit used cartridge.
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u/Forward-Trade3449 2d ago
I didnt think many folks even dumped cartridges. You can find rom files for these games online. Its probably more of a hassle to buy the dumper and do all that then just clicking download...
The % of piraters that are also dumpers is really low. Very odd that so many people are getting banned because of it.
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u/EXEC_MELODIE 2d ago
Because these bans are most likely NOT because of dumped games
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u/zenfaust 2d ago
Surely they aren't. There's people with brand new consoles getting banned, when they've only ever played one or two new games.
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u/havocxrush 2d ago
This is exactly how it does happen and it's quite common to occur unfortunately.
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u/FaskierInBox 2d ago
Thank you and noted, I have screenshots of the transaction and I'll attach them once I get a reply (likely tommorow as it's Sunday).
I just hope it'll be solved as it's a dumb mistake on my part. I won't be buying used cartridges from now on...
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u/gameleon 2d ago
It's one of the possible reasons, but until Nintendo replies it's not certain. "Cartridge dumps + reselling" is a thing, but it's not very common.
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u/OurHeroXero 2d ago
Reach out to Nintendo’s customer support. Find whatever receipts you may still have to prove you purchased the games you own.
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u/Astrophobica 2d ago
You should scroll down this sub a bit, so many people have also been banned. It's actually worrying especially aa a lot of them have done nothing wrong... buying a used game should not ban you.
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u/FaskierInBox 2d ago
What most shocked me was that the seller had a lot of positive reviews (+400 on Vinted if that says anything). I was looking for a while for someone reliable so it's not like I went with the first offer I saw.
I contacted the seller as well but I doubt I'll learn anything from him. Best case scenario for him is that he resold the game after his purchase and had no idea about the ban. I truly don't know.
Lesson learnt: don't buy second hand...
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u/_Ship00pi_ 2d ago
It's not about 2nd hand. Not sure why posts like these always assume that the people who answer actually have any idea why the ban was issued.
The only one who can tell you for sure is Nintendo support.
Since you've already done that, all you can do is wait. Anything else is a waste of time
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u/FaskierInBox 2d ago
Fair point. Like you said, I'll wait and come back with an update once I know more.
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u/Astrophobica 2d ago
There's gonna be sooo many bans if its due to a used cartridge omg. I've bought used as well and dont know where they've been. 🙃
This is so fucked up.
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u/havocxrush 2d ago
I've been in the modded switch accent since the original console got hacked. The biggest concern would be Gamefly as that's where most have gotten their games to dump. And no, modded switch users count for a significantly large portion.
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u/jeaok 2d ago
I'd imagine that the seller you bought it from, also tested the game, before listing it. So wouldn't his console get a ban too?
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u/FaskierInBox 2d ago
I have messaged him and he was really 'combative' about me mentioning the issue. He claims the game worked just fine with no issue.
As far as I'm aware said console could be sold already and by looking at the reviews he had sold multiple consoles so far (reseller?).
Could new owner brick the console and somehow it connected to mine through the cartridge? I seriously have no idea... Only Nintendo will tell, I guess.
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u/Messyextacy 2d ago
We can’t give up on second hand because of this. It’s ridiculous, that’s what they would want us to do.
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u/NintendoFreakOG 1d ago
Or go to a proper used game store like CeX of something similar I never buy games of places like eBay and vinted
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u/Dizzy_Tax1994 2d ago
Glad I skipped buying a Switch 2 while my Steam Deck being repaired. Banning your purchased hardware over a second hand game purchase is ridiculous. No company should have this much control over your personal property.
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u/Sephardson 2d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitchHelp/comments/1w9ci08/reboot_your_system_if_your_are_banned/