When launching a game, it fails to launch and displays a box message stating the format is not supported.

Page Navigation

<aside> 📔 TABLE OF CONTENTS

• General
• Multiplayer
• Windows
• Steam Deck
• Android
• Help Center

</aside>

Error Details

Error Message:

Error while loading ROM!

The ROM format is not supported.

Cause

This message is a bit misleading - what is actually happening is that it could not load the ROM, and throws this generic “Format not supported” error, even when using a supported format.

• Invalid Game Format
• Missing Both Key files
  • If this is the case, you will also likely see the My Games do not Appear in Citron issue.
• Missing Firmware
  • f this is the case, you will also likely see the My Games do not Appear in Citron issue.
• Invalid Game File
• Missing Entries in your Keys Files

Resolution Steps

<aside> 🚨

WARNING: Asking for or distributing these files on the Discord server will result in an immediate ban.  Additionally, it is expected that you have already obtained the files and the server will NOT assist you in how to do so through any means.

</aside>

Issue: Invalid Game Format

Citron currently only supports cartridge dumps (.xci) and digital dumps (.nsp) file formats for games. Trying any other file formats will result in Citron being unable to read the file and throw the error.

1. Open your computer’s file explorer and navigate to the directory containing the game.
2. Observe the file extension, if it is not .nsp or .xci - it is not a supported file format. You will need to get the game from your console again in a supported format.
   1. If it is in a supported file format, proceed to the next Issue for further help.

Issue: Missing Keys Files

Later versions of Citron require that you supply both key files from your console. Supplying only 1 key file will result in Citron being unable to properly read the game to launch it.

1. Open Citron and go to File > Open Citron Folder.
2. In the resulting File Explorer window, navigate to the user folder, and then the keys folder.
3. There should be 2 files ending in .keys, if there are not - you will need to obtain the keys from your console once again and install them using the Tools tab.
   1. If there are both keys files, proceed to the next Issue for further help.

Issue: Missing Firmware

Some games and updates rely on firmware in order to work properly. Citron introduced the requirement to install firmware in order to avoid these issues. This is one of the symptoms of it.

1. Open Citron and go to File > Open Citron Folder.

2. Look in the bottom right corner of the screen. You should see your firmware version displayed here. If you do not see any numbers it means that the firmware is not installed or recognized. If you have valid firmware detected, skip the rest of this section.

   

3. Obtain the firmware from you console once again, and install the firmware using the Tools tab.

   1. If there is a valid firmware version detected, proceed to the next Issue for further help.

Issue: Missing Entries in the Keys files

In order for the key files to have the entry for the Game/Update/DLC you are trying to play, it needs to have been played on the console itself.  So if you just download from the console’s store, put the game cartridge in, etc. - and don't play it on the console, there is a chance that the key entry for it did not generate.  Luckily, that issue is easily remedied.

1. Launch the content on your console.
2. Obtain the keys from your console once again.
3. Open Citron and go to File > Open Citron Folder.
4. In the resulting File Explorer window, navigate to the user folder, and then the keys folder.
5. Backup your current set of keys files somewhere safe, just in case.
6. Go back to Citron and install the new set of keys using the Tools tab.
   1. If you have done this and it still does not launch, proceed to the next Issue for further help.

Issue: Invalid Game File

This one is the most annoying, but luckily rarest of the causes to show up - where you have everything set up but the game does not load and throws that error. In this situation it means that the game file itself has an issue (bad header, corruption, etc.). Unfortunately there is not a 100% clear way to know this is the issue since there is not repository of known working game hashes or something, but here are some good indicators:

• Other games can load/launch just fine.

  <aside> 🚨

  WARNING: Be careful in assuming this is the cause, if the game launches without Updates or DLC, it is probably the Missing Entries issue instead.

  </aside>

• The same game file doesn't play on your console.

1. Try to verify that it is in fact a bad copy of the file by playing it on your console.
2. Re-obtain the game from your console.

If the above steps do not help, it is possible that there is a new resolution or cause that has not been reflected in the guides. Additional help can be found in the Citron discord

Resources

Citron Website

Download Citron

Citron Source Code

Citron Discord