Ryujinx is one of the most popular Nintendo Switch emulators, allowing users to play their favorite games on PC. However, many users encounter the dreaded “Ryujinx has encountered an error” message, causing the emulator to crash or fail to launch games.
This error can be caused by several factors, including missing firmware, outdated GPU drivers, incompatible settings, or Vulkan rendering issues. If you’ve encountered this issue, don’t worry—there are multiple ways to troubleshoot and fix it.
This guide will explain why this error occurs, how to diagnose it, and the best fixes to get Ryujinx running smoothly again.
Why Does Ryujinx Show the “Has Encountered an Error” Message?
Ryujinx crashes usually stem from software conflicts, incorrect settings, or hardware-related issues. The error message can appear at different points:
- At startup – Ryujinx fails to launch due to missing files, corrupted configurations, or driver problems.
- During game boot – The emulator crashes when loading a Nintendo Switch game, often due to missing prod. Keys or firmware files.
- Mid-game crashes – Performance instability or shader issues may suddenly cause the emulator to stop working.
Understanding the root cause is key to fixing the problem. The most common reasons for this error include:
- Missing or outdated GPU drivers – Running outdated NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel drivers can cause rendering problems.
- Incorrect settings in Ryujinx – Certain configurations, like Vulkan vs. OpenGL, may not be compatible with your system.
- Corrupt or missing firmware and keys – Ryujinx requires Nintendo Switch firmware and prod.keys to boot games.
- Incompatible game files – Some game ROMs may be corrupt, modified, or not supported by the emulator.
- Memory allocation issues – Systems with low RAM or insufficient VRAM may experience instability.
- Shader cache errors – Corrupt shader caches can cause graphical glitches and emulator crashes.
Once you’ve identified the likely cause, follow the steps below to fix the issue.
How to Fix “Ryujinx Has Encountered an Error”
If you are experiencing frequent Ryujinx crashes, follow these troubleshooting steps. Each method targets a specific issue that may be causing the error.
Check for the Latest Ryujinx Version
Ryujinx is actively developed, and frequent updates fix bugs and improve compatibility. Running an outdated version may cause crashes.
- Go to the official Ryujinx website or GitHub page.
- Download the latest stable or nightly build.
- Extract the new version and replace the old files (make a backup first).
- Launch Ryujinx and check if the error persists.
Verify Your Firmware and Prod.Keys Files
Ryujinx requires valid Nintendo Switch firmware and prod.keys to run games. If these files are missing or incorrect, the emulator may crash.
- Check that your prod.keys file is in the correct directory:%appdata%/Ryujinx/system
- Ensure you have installed the latest Nintendo Switch firmware under:%appdata%/Ryujinx/bis/system/Contents
- If your keys or firmware are outdated, update them and restart the emulator.
Update Your GPU Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers can cause compatibility issues with Ryujinx, especially if using Vulkan.
- Download the latest Game Ready Drivers from the NVIDIA website for NVIDIA users.
- For AMD users: Install the newest Adrenalin drivers from AMD’s official site.
- For Intel users: Update your graphics drivers from Intel’s support page.
After updating, restart your PC and relaunch Ryujinx.
Switch Between Vulkan and OpenGL Rendering
Ryujinx supports both Vulkan and OpenGL, but some games work better with one over the other.
- Open Ryujinx and go to Settings > Graphics.
- Try switching from Vulkan to OpenGL or vice versa.
- Restart the emulator and check if the error is resolved.
Delete and Reset the Shader Cache
Corrupt shader cache files can cause graphical glitches and crashes. Clearing the cache may help.
- Navigate to the shader cache folder:%appdata%/Ryujinx/cache
- Delete all files inside this folder.
- Restart Ryujinx and allow the emulator to regenerate the shader cache.
Run Ryujinx as Administrator
Permission issues can prevent Ryujinx from accessing necessary system files. Running the emulator with admin rights can fix this.
- Right-click the Ryujinx.exe file.
- Select Run as Administrator.
- Try relaunching your game.
Check for Conflicting Applications
Specific applications running in the background can interfere with Ryujinx, leading to crashes. Programs known to cause issues include:
- Rivatuner Statistics Server (RTSS) – Disable it before launching Ryujinx.
- MSI Afterburner – Try closing it while running the emulator.
- Third-party overlay apps (Discord, GeForce Experience, etc.) – Temporarily disable them and see if it helps.
If the error disappears after closing these applications, they were likely the cause.
Preventing Future Ryujinx Errors
To avoid running into Ryujinx errors in the future, follow these best practices:
- Keep Ryujinx updated by checking the official GitHub repository for new versions.
- Use only verified firmware and prod. keys to prevent compatibility issues.
- Regularly update GPU drivers to maintain optimal performance.
- Monitor GitHub issues for known bugs and fixes.
- Adjust emulator settings based on system hardware to optimize performance.
- Avoid downloading modified or unofficial game files, as they can cause crashes.
Following these steps will help keep Ryujinx stable and prevent recurring errors.
Final Thoughts
The “Ryujinx has encountered an error” message can be frustrating, but it is usually fixable with the right approach. Whether it’s a missing firmware file, outdated graphics drivers, or incorrect settings, troubleshooting the issue step by step will restore emulator functionality.
If Ryujinx is still crashing after applying these fixes, consider reporting the issue on GitHub with log files attached. This allows developers to analyze the problem and suggest specific solutions.
If this guide helped, share your experience in the comments or let us know which fix worked for you. If you know someone struggling with Ryujinx errors, share this article to help them troubleshoot effectively.