Last Updated on January 13, 2026 by writer
If you’re using the Yuzu Nintendo Switch emulator, sooner or later you’ll run into messages like “encryption keys are missing” or “derivation components missing.” These errors stop games from booting and confuse many users, especially beginners.
The reason is simple: Yuzu needs prod.keys and title.keys to function properly.
This guide explains what these keys actually do, how they affect performance and compatibility, common mistakes users make, and how to fix key-related errors properly.
| Prod Keys & Title Keys | 100% Working Keys |
| V21.0.1 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V21.0.0 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.5.0 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.4.0 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.3.0 (NEW) | Download |
| V20.2.0 | Download |
| V20.1.5 | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.1.1 | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.0.1 | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.0.0 | DOWNLOAD |
| V19.0.1 | DOWNLOAD |
| V19.0.0 | DOWNLOAD |
| V18.1.0 | Download |
| V18.0.1 | Download |
| V18.0.0 | GET LINK |
| V17.0.0 | Get Link |
| V16.0.3 | Get Link |
| V16.1.0 | Get Link |
Firmwares
| Firmwares Version | Download Links |
| V21.2.0 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V21.1.0 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V21.0.1 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V21.0.0 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.5.0 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.4.0 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.3.0 (NEW) | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.2.0 | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.1.5 | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.1.1 | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.1.0 | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.0.1 | DOWNLOAD |
| V20.0.0 | DOWNLOAD |
| V19.0.1 | DOWNLOAD |
| V19.0.0 | DOWNLOAD |
| V18.1.0 | DOWNLOAD |
| V18.0.0 | Download |
| V17.0.0 | Download |
| V16.1.0 | Download |
| V16.0.3 | Download |
Best Nintendo Switch Games For Yuzu Emulator– NSP & XCI ROMs (Top Switch ROMs Collection)
| S.N | Nintendo Switch Game | ROM Format | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Pokémon Legends: Arceus NSP / XCI | Action RPG |
| 2 | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe NSP / XCI | Racing |
| 3 | NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 3 Full Burst | NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 3 Full Burst NSP / XCI | Fighting |
| 4 | Pokémon Brilliant Diamond | Pokémon Brilliant Diamond NSP / XCI | RPG |
| 5 | EA SPORTS FC 26 | EA SPORTS FC 26 NSP / XCI | Sports |
| 6 | JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R Deluxe Edition | JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R Deluxe Edition NSP / XCI | Fighting |
| 7 | Super Mario Galaxy | Super Mario Galaxy NSP / XCI | Platformer |
| 8 | Mario & Luigi: Brothership | Mario & Luigi: Brothership NSP / XCI | RPG |
| 9 | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom NSP / XCI | Action-Adventure |
| 10 | Hollow Knight: Silksong | Hollow Knight: Silksong NSP / XCI | Metroidvania |
Nintendo Switch ROMs include popular Switch games packaged as NSP ROMs and XCI ROMs. NSP files are eShop-style digital installs, while XCI files are cartridge dumps—both require valid Nintendo Switch prod keys and compatible firmware files to run correctly on Switch emulators or CFW consoles.
To use NSP/XCI ROMs, first install the latest prod.keys and title.keys in your emulator (Yuzu, Ryujinx, Eden, Egg NS). Then add the matching Switch firmware to decrypt and boot games. NSP files are installed via the emulator’s install option, while XCI files can be loaded directly. With correct keys and firmware, Switch ROMs run with proper graphics, updates, and DLC support.
What Are Prod Keys and Title Keys in Yuzu?
Prod.keys
Prod.keys are the core system encryption keys used by the Nintendo Switch. Yuzu relies on them to decrypt game files and system data. Without them, the emulator cannot read most commercial titles.
Title.keys
Title.keys are additional encryption keys related to specific games, updates, and DLC content, especially content originating from the eShop.
In simple terms:
- Prod.keys = system-level decryption
- Title.keys = game-level decryption
Both are required for smooth and error-free gameplay.
Why Yuzu Won’t Work Without These Keys
Nintendo Switch games are encrypted at the hardware level. Yuzu emulates the console, but encryption must still be handled.
When keys are missing or outdated, Yuzu will:
- Fail to launch games
- Show black screens
- Display encryption or NCA errors
- Crash during shader compilation
This is why users often think Yuzu is “broken” when the real issue is incorrect or mismatched keys.
Understanding Firmware and Key Compatibility
One of the biggest mistakes users make is mixing firmware versions with incorrect prod.keys.
How Compatibility Works
- Each Switch firmware update introduces new encryption changes
- Prod.keys must match or be newer than the firmware used by the game
- Older keys cannot decrypt newer games
Example
If a game requires firmware 21.0.0, you must use:
- Firmware 21.0.0 installed in Yuzu
- Prod.keys compatible with 21.0.0
Using older keys will always result in errors.
Where Prod Keys Are Stored in Yuzu
Yuzu looks for keys in a specific directory:
yuzu/keys/
Inside this folder:
prod.keystitle.keys
If the keys folder doesn’t exist, Yuzu will not detect keys at all.
After placing keys:
- Restart Yuzu completely
- Do not hot-reload while emulator is running
Common Yuzu Key Errors (And Why They Happen)
“Derivation Components Missing”
Cause:
- Missing prod.keys
- Corrupted or incomplete key file
Solution:
- Replace keys with a complete, updated set
- Restart Yuzu
“Failed to Decrypt NCA”
Cause:
- Firmware and prod.keys mismatch
- Game newer than installed firmware
Solution:
- Update firmware inside Yuzu
- Ensure prod.keys match firmware version
Game Boots but Freezes or Black Screens
Cause:
- Partial decryption
- Missing title.keys
- Shader cache conflicts
Solution:
- Clear shader cache
- Recheck keys
- Update GPU drivers
Installing Firmware Alongside Keys (Highly Recommended)
While keys handle decryption, firmware handles system behavior.
Without firmware:
- Some games won’t boot
- Online services won’t initialize
- Menus may behave incorrectly
Installing firmware inside Yuzu dramatically improves:
- Stability
- Compatibility
- Boot success rate
Keys + firmware always work best together.
Performance Tips After Installing Keys
Once keys are working, optimize Yuzu for better gameplay:
- Enable asynchronous GPU emulation
- Use Vulkan backend if supported
- Enable disk shader cache
- Keep GPU drivers updated
- Use handheld mode for unstable games
Keys don’t increase FPS directly, but correct keys prevent crashes and stutters.
Why Yuzu Is Still One of the Best Switch Emulators
Despite changes in the emulation scene, Yuzu remains popular because it offers:
- High-resolution scaling (up to 4K)
- Stable performance for many AAA titles
- Controller and keyboard support
- Frequent community improvements
- Strong mod compatibility
When configured properly, Yuzu often runs games better than original hardware.
Most Yuzu problems are not caused by the emulator itself — they come from:
- Outdated prod.keys
- Incorrect firmware
- Improper file placement
Once these are fixed, Yuzu becomes extremely reliable.
If your games won’t boot, always check:
- Firmware version
- Prod.keys compatibility
- Folder structure
- Emulator restart
Get these right, and 90% of Yuzu issues disappear.