Error Message: “This User Cannot Play This Software”

Description:

  • Certain games won’t launch from the HOME Menu on Nintendo Switch.

  • Error Message: "This user cannot play this software. If you have not purchased the software, you can do so from Nintendo eShop".

Additional Information:

  • Purchases on the Nintendo Switch eShop are tied to the Nintendo Account that made the purchase.

  • You can register one primary console per Nintendo Account.

  • Once you've registered a primary console, your digital purchases can be played by anyone that uses the primary console.

  • Once you've purchased a digital game, you can use your Nintendo Account to access the game on any Nintendo Switch console (primary or non-primary).

  • When using a non-primary console, you are the only player that can access digital games that you've purchased. Other players will not be able to access your digital games on a non-primary console.

Possible Solutions:

  • This error message can occur if you are trying to play a Game Trial when you are not eligible to play it.

    • You may be trying to access the Game Trial when it is outside of the limited trial period. Check the game description in the Nintendo eShop or view our current special offers for Nintendo Switch Online members to view what dates the trial is available.

    • You may be trying to access the Game Trial with a Nintendo Account that does not have an active, paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Purchase a membership to be able to play the Game Trial, or purchase the game to have full access to it.

  • This error message may indicate that you are not using the primary console for the Nintendo Account that purchased the game. On a non-primary console, the game can only be started by the player that owns the game. The solution depends on who originally purchased the game. To determine which Nintendo Account bought the game:

    • Check the purchase history for each account on your console. The game will be listed for the Nintendo Account that made the purchase.

    • A receipt for each transaction in the Nintendo Switch eShop is emailed to the Nintendo Account that made the purchase. (For Nintendo Accounts for children, the email is sent to the parent / guardian’s email address.)

    • Check with other members of your household to see if they remember buying the game. Was the game purchased by you (or someone in your household, etc)?

Was the Game Purchased By You (or Someone in Your Household, etc)?

  1. Update your Nintendo Switch console to the latest version.

  2. Change the primary console for that Nintendo Account to the console that you're using.

    • If you are already using the primary console for that Nintendo Account, de-register the console, then make it the primary console again.

    • On the non-primary console, a digital game can only be started by the Nintendo Account that purchased the game.

  3. Use the Nintendo Account that purchased the game to redownload the game in the Nintendo eShop.

  4. Launch the game again from the HOME Menu on Nintendo Switch.

    • As long as the console is activated for the Nintendo Account that owns the game, anyone on the console will be able to play the game.

You will need to use your own Nintendo Account on your console to purchase the game for your console.

  • Because the the console is not the primary console for the Nintendo Account that originally purchased the game, games purchased with that account are not playable on the console. More info

  • If you want to remove the icon from your HOME Menu, highlight the icon and select “Options.” Select “Manage Software,” then “Delete Software” to remove the icon.

If you can't find a record of the purchase, it is likely that the game belongs to someone who no longer uses this console (previous owner, visiting friend, etc). You will need to use your own Nintendo Account on your console to purchase the game for your console.

  • Because the the console is not the primary console for the Nintendo Account that originally purchased the game, games purchased with that account are not playable on the console. More info

  • If you want to remove the icon from your HOME Menu, highlight the icon and select “Options.” Select “Manage Software,” then “Delete Software” to remove the icon.