Those that decide to hack their systems know that there's always the chance of either bricking, or banning. Many of those that installed CFW or installed unauthorized software onto their Nintendo 3DS systems faced an online ban, back in 2017. With exploits and modchips becoming the talk of the town, and the Switch scene progress in general, there's the growing question of "what about bans?".

It began with known Switch hacker Shiny Quagsire finding out that their Switch had been banned. That alone is shocking, but not only was one of their systems banned, but two. They received error code 2124-4007 on their alleged non-hacked Nintendo Switch.

Huh, 2124-4007 on my not-hacked Switch. Wonder what that's about.

— Shiny Quagsire (@ShinyQuagsire) May 19, 2018

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The screen suggests users to contact Nintendo Support with the error code, which the user in question did. Below, are two alleged chat sessions regarding the error code.

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One of the responses was that the ban would not be lifted, and that the End User License Agreement had been broken. This error code prevents those from accessing the eShop, online gaming, or the friend list and social aspects. Updating or patching one's game still functions, however.

Banned unit count is at 2, current suspicion: libnx errors getting reported.

— Shiny Quagsire (@ShinyQuagsire) May 19, 2018

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ShinyQuagsire then attempted to play Splatoon 2, and successfully voted for a team during the Splatfest, but trying to play a match brought back the same error code once more, stating that online features were restricted by Nintendo. It was then revealed that the "unhacked" Switch had once run the Homebrew Launcher, as well as PegaSwitch, the latter of which is an exploit toolkit that can write custom code to the system.

only correlation between my banned unit and the other in our group is libnx error codes being in the settings log, never did crazy save edits/cheating/weird online stuff, both had client certs dumped but I don't think it's that, they're not rejected

— Shiny Quagsire (@ShinyQuagsire) May 19, 2018

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Later, another Switch hacker, SciresM also spoke up about his own console getting banned. CDN was cited as a potential cause, though ShinyQuagsire wasn't so sure, as the last time they'd done anything regarding that was months ago, meaning Nintendo could have retroactively banned them, or is only going after them now.

This is the console cert I've been using for *all* CDN exploration since June of last year. I'm not surprised in the slightest, tons and tons of invalid requests have been sent from this one. I also updated the console to 5.0.1 when that released.

— Michael (@SciresM) May 22, 2018

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CDN, "Content Distribution Network", as described by Nintendo themselves is

Content delivery network providers enable faster video streaming and support the delivery of content you have requested, e.g. when using Nintendo eShop, by using a system of distributed servers that deliver the content to you, based on your geographic location. We may therefore share your information (including your IP address) with our third party content delivery network providers that provide content delivery network services in connection with Nintendo Account Services, Nintendo Network and the official Nintendo website, some of which may act as third-party data processors only

CDN downloaders had been used to download content directly to a computer from Nintendo services, and currently, this is what is considered to have most likely caused the bans at this time. Shiny Quagsire also knows another user who had a Switch banned, which never used the Homebrew Launcher, but did access and mess with the CDN. At this time, only Switch hackers appear to have been affected, not the average user. If more information becomes available, this post will be updated to include such.

 

[AlphaSapphire]

Do they ban the entire system or just the account

 

[brickmii82]

Not gonna take this any further off-topic after this, but you still haven’t explained how it’s off-putting, and at its core journalism is about undeniable truth which means verification. If unable to verify, “what we know” is not “what has happened.” As a journalist, you never take anyone’s word for it. The Massachusetts Diocese scandal wouldn’t have ever been brought to light if journalists just took the clergy’s words for what transpired.

Edit: I never said you didn’t have a right to critique journalism skills.

 

[Deleted User]

Can we ban people who make threads saying "Help, I've been banned. Can I get unbanned?" ?

So, a meta-ban, in other words?

 

[Xabring]

Damn, first bans came in quick. They might crack down on Switch a lot harder than 3DS.

Funny thing I updated to 5.0.2 before watching this. Now I hope that using SwitchBru doesn't count as a reason to be banned.

 

[Ryab]

hmmmm only switch hackers? dev's you mean that seems odd to me as to suppose ban anyone who hacked their switch

most likely because of CDN and the error codes when the console crashes it sends the logs to nintendo

 

[gnmmarechal]

I know 1 thing Verlisify and his legion fanbase is thrilled this is happening

That guy is an absolute idiot.

 

[MrLucariox]

Ninty is angry now

 

[chrisrlink]

welp I'll be banned pretty soon cause some brew crashed my switch (Eduke and Checkpoint)

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Do they ban the entire system or just the account

afaik both so if you have a second clean switch create a seperate NNID

 

[TunaKetchup]

Whats interesting is that you can still update your games if you get banned

I wonder if that means you would be able to update backups without having to worry

 

[AlphaSapphire]

welp I'll be banned pretty soon cause some brew crashed my switch (Eduke and Checkpoint)

How do i know the switch crashed? When its stuck at black for a long time?

 

[RedBlueGreen]

Familiar journalism thing where that kind of word is used for some reason despite things being 100% fact. I notice it often even in mass shootings, like the recent one in Texas. "Alleged shooter." Really?

Anyways it's a bit fascinating to follow this development.

In news its alleged because they haven't been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. You're innocent until proven guilty.

I assume we say alleged here as well because we can't prove whether or not that banned Switch was hacked or not. Without confirmation we can't say either way.

 

[Frexxos]

Well... it will definitly hurt when my console would get banned...
The only thing I personally used was Checkpoint for xeno and zelda save editing and this with all time in flight mode... lets see if ninti cares.
On the other side - i never played switch online. Only bought Stardew Valley at the e-shop.
But when in a few months things like "Gamecube Emulator" or different stiff will run... oh boy that would be awesome and not hurt so much anymore.

 

[Bladexdsl]

if you want to hack your console you pretty much can kiss all online features goodbye otherwise you will be at risk. that's all there is to it you can usually only have one or the other. so choose what you want online or free geames

 

[DiscostewSM]

This is why I've yet to do any sort of hacking of my system, and still on 4.1.0. Will continue waiting until it's a lot safer to deal with.

 

[Erol]

Rip those brave soldiers 400$(cad) gone hope there is a friend seed injector like for the 3ds

What do you mean „gone“? Just all this online crap is gone right? They Sti can enjoy local MP and offline MP etc.

 

[linuxares]

I'm curious if Nintendo cares about save editing in Singleplayer games. I do understand them bringing the hammer to the online games. Since this time around they shouldn't be forgiving and ban anyone who edited their multiplayer saves.

 

[AdamFX990]

Whats interesting is that you can still update your games if you get banned

I wonder if that means you would be able to update backups without having to worry

I imagine that was a deliberate decision. They won't want a repeat of ninjahax!

 

[Alternis]

Ask them how to unban at the E3 interview

 

[Deleted member 420418]

I will have to make sure that my other switch doesn't have a nintendo account or is playing online. I don't really want my legit switch to be banned.

 

[linuxares]

Ask them how to unban at the E3 interview

Better yet, ask them how their banhammer looks like. If it's Mjölnir or if it's a Hammerbros hammer