Unable to Access DLC (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)

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

Important
  • The enhanced features available in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 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.

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

  1. Restart the console.

  2. Ensure the console 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: Tears of the Kingdom – 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: Tears of the Kingdom 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: Tears of the Kingdom, 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: Tears of the Kingdom 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: Tears of the Kingdom, 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: Tears of the Kingdom – 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!