Tinfoil is one of the most powerful applications for a modded Nintendo Switch, but because it’s so complex, things can sometimes go wrong. An unexpected crash or a cryptic error can be frustrating, especially for beginners.

Don’t worry. Most Tinfoil issues are well-known and can be fixed with a few simple steps. This guide combines the most common problems and solutions to help you get back up and running.

The “Before You Panic” Checklist

Before diving into specific errors, always perform these basic steps. They solve over 90% of all homebrew issues.

  1. Update Everything: The Switch homebrew scene moves fast. Mismatched software versions are the number one cause of crashes. Make sure you have the absolute latest versions of:
    • Atmosphère: Your Custom Firmware.
    • Hekate: Your bootloader.
    • Sigpatches: These are crucial and must match your version of Atmosphère.
    • Tinfoil: The app itself.
  2. Check Your SD Card: A faulty or poorly formatted SD card can cause a huge range of problems.
    • Format: Use FAT32 for the best stability. The exFAT format is convenient but is notoriously prone to corruption on the Switch.
    • Check for Errors: Use a tool like h2testw (Windows) or F3 (Mac/Linux) to test your card for hidden errors.
    • Free Space: Ensure you have enough empty space for downloads and installations.
  3. Restart Your Switch: It sounds simple, but a full reboot (powering off completely and turning back on) can often resolve temporary glitches.

Common Problems and Solutions

If you’ve followed the checklist and still have trouble, find your specific issue below.

Problem: Tinfoil Crashes, Freezes, or Won’t Launch

You try to open Tinfoil, and it hangs on a black screen, immediately crashes, or shows a generic error.

  • Solution 1: Update Sigpatches. This is the most common cause. Ensure your sigpatches match your Atmosphère version.
  • Solution 2: Use the NRO Version. If you installed a “forwarder” icon on your home screen and it’s not working, try launching the tinfoil.nro file directly from the Homebrew Menu (hold ‘R’ while launching a game).

Problem: “Failed to Install NSP” or Downloads Fail

You try to install a file, but it fails midway through, or a download from a shop won’t start.

  • Solution 1: Check Sigpatches. As above, this is a primary cause for installation failures.
  • Solution 2: Check Your Internet. Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi and not in Airplane Mode.
  • Solution 3: Try a Different Shop/Source. The server you are downloading from might be down or experiencing issues. Try a different source to see if the problem persists.
  • Solution 4: Check for Corrupt Files. If installing from your SD card, the file itself might be corrupt. Try downloading it again.

Problem: Games Not Showing Up / Shops Are Empty

You’ve added a shop, but no new content appears in the “New Games” tab.

  • Solution 1: Check for DNS Blockers. Services like 90DNS will block access to shops. Use Atmosphère’s built-in exosphere.ini method to block Nintendo instead, as it doesn’t interfere with other network activity.
  • Solution 2: Rebuild Tinfoil’s Database. Tinfoil keeps a database of titles. Sometimes this can get corrupted. Navigate to /switch/tinfoil/db/ on your SD card and delete the file titles.us.en.json (or similar). The next time Tinfoil launches, it will rebuild this database.

Problem: “Corrupted Data Has Been Detected” on the Switch Home Menu

You see the Tinfoil icon on your home screen, but the Switch gives you a “corrupted data” error when you try to launch it.

  • Solution: Reinstall the Forwarder. This error is specific to the home screen icon. The safest way to launch Tinfoil is always from the Homebrew Menu. To fix the icon, delete it from your home screen and use the Tinfoil Installer .nro to create a fresh one.

Problem: Configuration Settings Are Not Saving

You change a setting in Tinfoil’s options, but it reverts back the next time you open the app.

  • Solution: Exit Tinfoil Correctly. Do not just press the Home button to close Tinfoil. You must exit the application through its own menu, which properly saves all configuration changes.

Final Troubleshooting Steps

If nothing else works, try these last resorts.

  • Check Date and Time: Ensure your Switch’s date and time are correct and set to update automatically via the internet. Incorrect time can cause issues with network protocols.
  • Reset Shop Locations: If you suspect an issue with your added shops, you can delete the locations.conf file from the /switch/tinfoil/ folder to remove all of them and start fresh.

By methodically working through this list, you can solve nearly any issue you might encounter with Tinfoil.