Unable to Access DLC (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild)

Follow these steps if you purchased the Expansion Pass or purchased/downloaded the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild but the additional content or features are not appearing in game.

Before you start

You will need the following to complete this troubleshooting:

  • Your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch system

  • An internet connection

What to do

Which downloadable content are you having trouble with?

Important
  • The enhanced features available in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition are only available when playing on Nintendo Switch 2. Even if you have purchased the upgrade pack, it cannot be downloaded on Nintendo Switch.

  • If you are having trouble with the ZELDA NOTES service in the Nintendo Switch App, we have separate troubleshooting available.

  1. Restart the console.

  2. Ensure the has been updated to the latest system menu version.

  3. Update the software to the latest version.

  4. Open Nintendo eShop and search for the The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack to confirm that it displays as "Downloaded" (if obtained through a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership) or "Purchased" (if purchased separately).

    • "Download" and "Proceed to Purchase" options display

      • This means you have access to the upgrade pack through a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, but it isn't currently installed. Select Download to begin installing the upgrade pack on your system. Continue with the remaining steps after the download completes.

      • Only "Proceed to Purchase" option displays

  5. If you purchased the upgrade pack, check whether the virtual game card for the upgrade pack needs to be loaded on the system. Select Virtual Game Cards from the HOME Menu.

  6. Start the software again and check whether the title screen shows the updated Nintendo Switch 2 Edition logo.

Does the title screen show the updated Nintendo Switch 2 Edition logo?

If the updated logo does not appear on the title screen, then the upgrade pack is not currently downloaded on the system, or the User selected does not have access to it.

How did you obtain the upgrade pack?

The virtual game card for the upgrade pack may not currently be loaded on the system, or the data for the upgrade pack may not be downloaded on the system.

  1. Select Virtual Game Cards from the HOME Menu. Confirm that the virtual game card for the upgrade pack is loaded on the system.

  2. If it is already loaded, delete the The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild software and upgrade pack from the system, then redownload it. Save data is not lost when deleting the software. If you use a physical game card for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, this will delete the update data and you'll need to update the software again.

  3. Start the software again again and confirm that the title screen shows the updated Nintendo Switch 2 Edition logo.

Situation not resolved

If the issue persists, please contact us for additional support.

When downloaded as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, only Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can access the upgrade pack. It is not treated as a virtual game card, nor accessed through the virtual game card menu. Follow these possible solutions until the updated Nintendo Switch 2 Edition logo appears on the title screen when the game is opened:

  1. Complete an internet connection test to confirm that your console is currently connected to the internet. An internet connection is required when launching the game to verify the User is a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member.

  2. Open Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu, select your User, and confirm that you have an ongoing Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

  3. Delete the The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild software and upgrade pack from the system, then redownload it. Save data is not lost when deleting the software. If you use a physical game card for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, this will delete the update data and you'll need to update the software again.

    • How to redownload the upgrade pack as a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member

      • Select the Nintendo eShop icon on the HOME Menu to open the Nintendo eShop.

      • Select the Nintendo Switch Online menu on the left.

      • Under "Expansion Pack Content", select the icon for the The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack .

      • Under "Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Content", select Download.

  4. Start the software again again and confirm that the title screen shows the updated Nintendo Switch 2 Edition logo.

Situation not resolved

If the issue persists, please contact us for additional support.

If this information resolved your issue, you're all set!

  1. Restart the console.

  2. Make sure you have progressed far enough in the game to access the DLC features. You must free all Divine Beasts before some features become accessible.

  3. Ensure the console has been updated to the latest system menu version.

    • How to check for the latest system update

      • Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.

      • Scroll down to the bottom of the System Settings menu and select System.

      • Select System Update to start the system update process.

        • The system will check to see if an update is available.

  4. Update the software to the latest version.

    • How to update game software

      • Ensure the console is connected to the Internet.

      • From the HOME Menu, select (but do not start) the icon for the software you wish to update.

      • Press the + Button or – Button on your controller, then select Software Update followed by Over the Internet (Nintendo Switch 2) or Via the Internet (Nintendo Switch).

  5. Ensure the virtual game card for the DLC has been loaded on this system.

  6. After updating, start the software again and check whether the menu option for Downloadable Content has updated to DLC Purchased.

  7. If necessary, redownload the DLC.

Situation not resolved

If the issue persists, please contact us for additional support.