Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about Ryujinx Emulator, such as setup, performance, multiplayer, mods, and more.

General FAQs

1. What is Ryujinx?

Ryujinx is a free Nintendo Switch emulator for PC that allows users to play games while simulating the Switch operating system.

2. Is Ryujinx legal to use?

Yes, as long as the game files, firmware, and keys are legally obtained from your own Nintendo Switch device.

3. Which operating systems does Ryujinx support?

Ryujinx is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, ensuring cross-platform compatibility and native performance on all systems.

4. Do I need a Nintendo Switch console?

Yes, a console is required to legally dump the firmware, product keys, and game files needed to run Ryujinx games.

5. Does Ryujinx require installation?

No installation is required. You can run Ryujinx in portable mode by extracting the folder and running the executable.

6. Can Ryujinx run commercial Switch games?

Yes, Ryujinx supports a growing number of commercial games and provides regular updates and performance improvements.

Installation & Setup

1. How do I install Ryujinx?

Download the emulator, extract the files, and then run the executable. There is no need for a complex setup or installation to get started.

2. Where do I put the prod.keys file?

To ensure that the emulator can properly decrypt and load games, save the prod.keys file to Ryujinx’s “system” folder.

3. How do I install firmware in Ryujinx?

Open Ryujinx and navigate to Tools > Install Firmware. Then, select your firmware folder or ZIP file and follow the prompts.

4. What formats of game files are supported?

Ryujinx supports untrimmed. .XCI,.NSP, and.NRO game files were extracted from a Nintendo Switch console.

5. Can I launch Ryujinx from a USB drive?

Yes, Ryujinx can be run in portable mode from a USB drive, providing a self-contained setup experience while on the go.

6. Does Ryujinx require access to the internet?

Single-player mode does not require an internet connection. It is only required for downloads, multiplayer setup, and game updates.

Performance & Errors

1. Why does my game run so slowly?

Reduce the resolution scale, enable PPTC, and make sure you meet the system requirements to improve performance and reduce lag or stutter.

2. What causes the black screen during game launch?

Black screens are frequently caused by missing firmware, bad dumps, or incompatible graphics settings such as shader cache or render backend.

3. What is PPTC, and should I enable it?

PPTC saves shader data to help reduce stuttering in future sessions. It is recommended and enabled by default to ensure smoother performance.

4. How can I resolve random crashes during gameplay?

Try clearing the shader cache, disabling mods, and ensuring that firmware and keys are properly installed and compatible with the game version.

5. Why are not my saved files working?

Saving files are profile-specific. Make sure to use the same user profile and avoid switching without backing up your saves.

6. What should I do if the firmware is not detected?

Reinstall the firmware using Tools > Install Firmware, and make sure the prod.keys file supports the version you are attempting to load.

Multiplayer & LDN Mode

1. What is Ryujinx's LDN Multiplayer mode?

LDN multiplayer emulates local wireless gameplay over the internet, allowing multiple Ryujinx users to play supported games simultaneously.

2. How can I enable multiplayer?

Go to Settings > Network, then LDN mode, and configure according to whether you are playing locally or online.

3. Can Ryujinx connect to real Switch consoles?

Yes, but only if the Switch is running custom firmware that includes ldn_mitm and the same game version as your emulator.

4. Why can not I participate in an online match?

Ensure that all players are using the same game version, that their network settings are correct, and that their firewall or router ports are open.

5. Does Ryujinx support Nintendo's online services?

Ryujinx does not support connecting to official Nintendo servers and instead uses local wireless emulation for multiplayer.

6. Is LDN stable across all games?

Not all games support multiplayer, and LDN performance varies according to the game, your internet connection, and system compatibility.

Mods & Cheats

1. Can mods be installed in Ryujinx?

Yes. To install mods, place the files in the mods/contents/<title_id>/modname folder.

2. How can I use game cheats?

Use Atmosphère-style.txt cheat files in the game’s mod folder, with the correct title and build ID.

3. Do mods and cheats cause problems?

Mods that are incompatible or out of date may cause the game to crash or degrade performance. If there are any errors while loading, disable the mods.

4. Can I combine different mods?

Yes, but avoid combining mods that affect the same files. Keep each mod in its own folder for better organization.

5. Are modifications detected automatically?

Yes. Ryujinx detects all valid mods in the folder and automatically loads them when the game launches.

6. How do I temporarily disable a mod?

To disable the mod without deleting the files, simply rename or move the mod folder out of the contents directory.

Input & Controllers

1. Which controllers work with Ryujinx?

Ryujinx’s input system natively supports Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro, Joy-Cons, and the majority of USB or Bluetooth gaming controllers.

2. How should I configure my controller?

Before you start a game, go to Settings > Input, select your device, map your buttons, and save your configuration.

3. Does Ryujinx support motion control?

Yes. Ryujinx supports motion input with tools such as BetterJoy, DS4Windows, and Steam Input for controllers that are compatible.

4. Can I use the keyboard and mouse?

Yes, Ryujinx accepts full keyboard input. Mouse input is limited but functional for certain control functions and menus.

5. Why does not my controller work?

Check the USB/Bluetooth connection, restart Ryujinx, and make sure the correct controller is selected in the Input settings for the player.

6. Can I save multiple control profiles?

Currently, settings must be updated manually. The feature of saving and loading profiles is planned for future input management improvements.

Files & Storage

1. Where are the save files stored?

Saved data is kept in the Ryujinx directory under each user profile. The location varies according to the platform and portable mode settings.

2. Can I move saved files between profiles?

Yes, but it must be done manually by copying the save folder and ensuring that the profile names match to prevent overwriting.

3. What is the use of the system folder?

The system folder contains the keys, firmware, configuration files, and other core data required for Ryujinx to emulate correctly.

4. What exactly is the cache folder used for?

Cache folders contain shader data, log files, and translation cache, which improves future performance and reduces loading times.

5. How can I reset the Ryujinx settings?

Delete the config.json file or use portable mode to start a new environment without affecting game saves.

6. Can Ryujinx support multiple user profiles?

Yes. Options > Manage User Profiles allows you to create and manage multiple profiles for various save files and game progress.