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Nintendo GameCube Error Messages

Memory Card Error Messages
Fully Corrupt
Data Area Only Corrupt
Memory Card is Damaged

System Error Messages

  • An Error has occurred:
    If you are getting the specific message, "An error has occurred. Turn the Power Off and check the Nintendo GameCube Instruction Booklet for further instructions." This means there may be an internal problem with the system.

    1. Check Individual Game Disc problems or Multiple Game Disc problems (depending upon how many games exhibit the problem) to see if the cause of the message is a dirty or damaged disc.
    2. If the disc appears fine or works properly in another system, please click here for more information.

  • System settings were lost:
    You need to reset the time and date from the Nintendo GameCube Main Menu. To access the Main Menu, turn the power ON while holding down the A button on the controller. Follow these steps to reset the time and date:

    1. From the Main Menu Screen, go to the Calendar Screen by pushing RIGHT on the Control Stick.
    2. Press the A Button to display Calendar Menu choices of Date or Time.
    3. Use the Control Stick (UP or DOWN) to highlight your menu item and press the A Button to select your choice.
    4. Use the Control Stick (LEFT or RIGHT) to highlight the number you want to change, then (UP or DOWN) to adjust the value.
    5. Press the A Button to accept your choice.
    6. Press the B Button to return to the Calendar Menu or the Main Menu.
    7. Pressing the B Button before accepting your choice with the A Button will return you to the Calendar Menu without changing the settings.

    If the same error continues to happen, it is likely you have an internal battery malfunction. Please click here for more information.

  • Wrong Game Disc:
    This message happens when a Game Disc has been removed while the system is on, and a different Game Disc is inserted. Re-insert the original Game Disc.

  • No Game Disc:
    This error can occur when the Game Disc has been removed while the system is on and then the Disc Cover is closed. Follow these troubleshooting steps:

    1. Ensure the game is inserted correctly. With the power turned off on the system, replace the Game Disc in the system, printed side up. Press down gently on the Game Disc until it locks on the center hub. Close the Disc Cover and press the power button ON to see if the game comes on the screen.

    2. Determine if this happens with more than one game by inserting a different game into the system.

    If the error occurs with all games, follow the Multiple Game Disc troubleshooting.

    If the error occurs with only one game, follow the individual game disc troubleshooting.

  • The Disc could not be read:

    1. Ensure the game is inserted correctly. With the power turned off on the system, replace the Game Disc in the system, printed side up. Press down gently on the Game Disc until it locks on the center hub. Close the Disc Cover and press the power button ON to see if the game comes on the screen.

    2. Determine if this happens with more than one game by inserting a different game into the system.

    If the error occurs with all games, follow the Multiple Game Disc troubleshooting.

    If the error occurs with only one game, follow the individual game disc troubleshooting.

  • Disc Cover open:
    Close the Disc Cover.

    If the same error continues after the Disc Cover is securely closed, please click here for more information.

Memory Card Error Messages

  • Fully Corrupt:
    When the entire save area of the Memory Card becomes corrupt, the system will inform the player that the Memory Card is corrupt and offer to format it. The card must be formatted before gameplay begins or when the game attempts to access the Memory Card. The exact message may vary from software to software.

    Follow the steps for formatting a memory card.

    For specific issues with the Memory Card 1019, please click here.

    • Suggestion: It is always a good idea to copy your most important files to a second Memory Card as a back-up.

  • Data Area Only Corrupt:
    When only the data area of a Memory Card is corrupt (not the entire Memory Card) the game may not detect this until the Memory Card is accessed. Once it is accessed, the game will inform the player that the file being accessed is corrupt and must be erased. The game will only delete the one file being accessed and will not format the entire Memory Card (Other saved game files on the Memory Card may be OK).

    Follow the steps for deleting a file.

    For specific issues with the Memory Card 1019, please click here.

  • Memory Card is Damaged:
     If the Memory Card has been physically damaged, or has been damaged beyond repair, you will get this message. The Memory Card will need to be replaced. The system may attempt to format the card, but if it cannot it will give the error Memory Card is Damaged. There is no way to recover the game data from the memory card.

    For information on locating replacements for older products, please click here.

    For specific issues with the Memory Card 1019, please click here.

    Suggestion: It is always a good idea to copy your most important files to a second Memory Card as a back-up.