Topic: Why is my switch asking for me to delete my memory card?

I just performed a hard reset without clearing save data and now the switch is asking me to delete my memory card why?

If you performed a hard reset of the system, and by that I'm assuming you reset it to factory settings, then the switch doesn't recognize the data the the SD card because technically the data belongs to a "different" switch.

And switch systems don't like sharing SD cards.

@Eel So is I delete the SD card what will happen?

@AOCisthebest

You'll have to redownload all your digital purchases.

And redownload all the patches for your games, digital or physical.

Yeah, assuming you plan to use, and have access to, the same Nintendo account you had, then you will be able to redownload everything.

Save data is stored in the switch itself, not the SD card, so there's no point in worrying about that. It's either already long gone, or still there. Just one way to find out!

@AOCisthebest

I think what Magician said is right.

Although, I'm not sure what led you to where you are, but, as far as I've seen, when Nintendo support uses the term hard reset, they just mean forcing a shutdown/reboot with a long press of the power button, like if the Switch won't wake from sleep mode, which isn't a big deal. Someone correct me if I'm wong. "Hard reset" is mentioned in step 1A.

https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a...

EDIT: I'm not trying to make a tangent here, though, so, I'm going to duck out of thread unless someone tags me.

Is there A fast way to redonload all my patches?

Just leave your switch suspended in the dock, it will usually try to download game updates on its own.

Thank you guys for all the answers!