Move your dumped keys into that folder: cp prod.keys ~/.switch/prod.keys
Sometimes the keys exist, but they are empty or corrupted. A valid prod.keys file is a text file that looks similar to this:
: Use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select Dump from sysNAND (or Dump from EmuNAND if you're using one). hactool prod.keys does not exist
Here are the methods to fix the error, ranked by ease of use. Method 1: The Easiest Fix (Place Key File Correctly)
hactool -k "C:\Users\John\Desktop\prod.keys" "game.nsp" Move your dumped keys into that folder: cp prod
If your prod.keys file is in a different location, you must provide the full or relative path to it. For example:
Then reload: source ~/.bashrc
Once the process completes, turn off your Switch and insert your SD card into your computer.
Without these keys, hactool cannot read the encrypted contents of a game ( .nca or .xci ). Method 1: The Easiest Fix (Place Key File
The simplest fix is to place your prod.keys file into the exact same folder where your hactool.exe executable is located. When you run a command inside that directory, hactool looks locally first. Option B: The Default Home Directory (Best for Global Use)