If Sugardew Island keeps closing on Nintendo Switch, try Nintendo’s troubleshooting steps in order: restart the console, install available system and game updates, check the game for corrupt data, then—if you downloaded it—redownload it to system memory. A freeze, a failure to start, and the message “The software was closed because an error occurred” are different problems, so use the path below that matches what you see.
First, identify what the game is doing
- It closes with “The software was closed because an error occurred”: follow the unexpected-close steps below.
- It freezes or stops responding: start with a restart and updates, then see the microSD guidance.
- It will not start and says “Unable to start software. Return to the HOME Menu and try again”: Nintendo’s guidance for this message covers downloaded software. If you are using a game card, follow Nintendo’s separate game-card troubleshooting route rather than redownloading the game.
These are general Nintendo troubleshooting steps, not a diagnosis of a confirmed widespread Sugardew Island defect. RokaPlay has acknowledged Switch bugs and crashes in certain situations, but its published updates do not establish that every crash has the same cause or that a particular fix resolves every case.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Sugardew Island - Nintendo Switch | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Fae Farm - Nintendo Switch (US Version) | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Merge Games - Fresh Start Nintendo Switch | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Fix an unexpected close, step by step
After each step, reopen the game and return to the part of play where the error appeared. Nintendo’s instructions are for the exact error “The software was closed because an error occurred.” Menu labels can vary with console software or region.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →- Restart the Switch. Hold the POWER button for three seconds, select Power Options, then Restart. If the console does not respond, hold POWER for twelve seconds to force it off, then turn it on again.
- Install any system update. Open System Settings > System > System Update and follow the prompts if an update is available.
- Check for a game update. On the HOME Menu, highlight Sugardew Island without starting it, press + or −, then choose Software Update > Via the Internet.
- Check for corrupt data. Open System Settings > Data Management > Manage Software, select Sugardew Island, then choose Check for Corrupt Data.
- If you have the downloaded version and the earlier steps did not help, delete and redownload it to system memory. Nintendo advises removing the microSD card before redownloading in this unexpected-close workflow. Redownloading is for a downloaded copy; it is not the right fix for a game-card read problem.
Nintendo’s full unexpected-close troubleshooting guide provides the procedure for this error.
#1 Best Overall
- Take care of your plants, make fertilizer and sell your farm produce.
- Sell items in your shop and negotiate with the Forest Folk for prices.
- Customize your character’s look to create your perfect persona.
- Feed, interact & build bonds with animals for eggs and milk.
- Give names to pets, interact with them, and let them follow you around the island.
If Sugardew Island freezes or will not respond
For a freeze or unresponsive downloaded game, Nintendo also recommends checking whether storage is involved. After restarting and checking for updates, try downloading or installing the software to system memory, or test with another microSD card if one is available. This can help distinguish a card-related problem from an issue with the game or console, but it does not prove the card is the cause.
Formatting a microSD card is a last resort, not a routine troubleshooting step: it erases the card’s data. Back up screenshots and videos you want to keep before formatting. See Nintendo’s guidance for software that freezes, locks up, or will not respond before making storage changes.
Rank #2
- Cozy and customizable: Create your own character and customize your adventure with unlockable styles and decorations for your farm. The cozier your home, the better your experience!
- Magical Creatures: As you tend your farm, you can care for a variety of cuddly animals where you can collect eggs, wool, and more.
- Adventure is at your doorstep: Explore the realms of Azoria as you traverse the island with your skills and spells. Forage caves to gather resources and battle jumbles! Progress at your own pace as you uncover new mysteries and restore peace to Azoria.
- Budding Friendships: Azoria is home to a cast of colorful characters! As you progress through the story, you can build bonds with many islanders along the way. You can even find romance by going on dates and eventually getting married at Town Hall.
- One for all: You can play on your own or with up to 3 of your friends online or over local wireless.
What is known about Sugardew Island crashes on Switch?
RokaPlay’s project updates document Switch patches, but they do not identify the game’s current version or confirm that all reported problems are fixed. On March 13, 2025, the Sugardew Island Team said, “We’ve just released the first patch for Nintendo Switch, fixing a variety of bugs and improving overall stability.” The same update listed issues still under investigation, including a Switch-only problem in which the character could no longer be controlled and disappeared after a Harmony Tree cutscene.
On March 20, 2025, RokaPlay said it had submitted another patch to Nintendo. Its listed changes included cutscene and progression fixes, workbench-tool recovery, and “Various minor bugs & crashes fixed that caused issues in certain situations.” That update described a submitted patch at the time; it does not establish its eventual release date, the current version, or whether it fixes a particular player’s crash. Check the game’s software update screen or an official developer announcement for current version information. The dated updates are on RokaPlay’s Sugardew Island project updates.
Rank #3
- SAVE THE WORLD AROUND YOU - Wash away piles of mud and dirt from the surface of the earth using a combination vacuum cleaner/watering hose
- GROW YOUR SKILLS - As you gather experience from restoring the world, you can choose to spend them on a variety of upgrades from the skill shop
- WATER DRIED-UP PLANTS AND BRING BACK THEIR BEAUTY - Bring dry and dead plants back to life; Spray the ones just sprouting to help them bloom
- HELP OTHER AND MAKE FRIENDS – Use your skills to bring comfort and happiness back into friends’ lives and you will quickly gain their gratitude and friendship
- SEARCH FOR MYSTERIOUS ITEMS AND SOLVE PUZZLES - Quests are waiting for you in your journey; Find puzzle elements and mechanism pieces
When to contact support
If the game still crashes after the relevant Nintendo steps, contact Nintendo Support or RokaPlay. Include details that can help narrow down the issue:
- The exact error message, if one appears.
- Whether you play from a digital download or a game card.
- Your Switch model and the game version shown on the console.
- What you were doing when the game closed, and whether the crash happens at the same point each time.
- Which troubleshooting steps you have already tried.
Nintendo’s “Unable to start software” article distinguishes downloaded-software startup issues from game-card read issues.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
