Guides
Eden "Encryption Keys Are Missing" or "Firmware Installation Failed"? Fixes for Every Install Error
Key points
- "Encryption keys are missing" (Android) and "Decryption keys are missing. Install them now?" (PC) both mean prod.keys isn't installed yet. Install it, then restart Eden on PC.
- "Firmware installation failed" on Android: if the firmware ZIP contains anything that isn't a .nca file, including an extra folder, Eden rejects it. The .nca files must sit at the root of the ZIP.
- "Keys failed to initialize" means the keys file is invalid, incomplete or too old, so re-dump it. "Verify your keys file has a .keys extension" means the file name is wrong. Rename it to prod.keys.
- On PC, install keys, restart Eden, then install firmware. Keys must not be older than the firmware, or the Home Menu reports "Firmware Corrupted".
- A "Fatal Error" while installing firmware on Android is usually a storage permission issue, according to user reports. "Error during Fetch" in the driver manager means Eden can't reach GitHub.
On this page
Most Eden key and firmware install errors come down to three things: prod.keys isn't installed yet (Encryption keys are missing on Android, Decryption keys are missing on PC), the keys file has the wrong name or bad content (Verify your keys file has a .keys extension, Keys failed to initialize), or the firmware ZIP on Android has the wrong layout (Firmware installation failed). The fixes: install prod.keys and restart Eden; rename the file to prod.keys or re-dump it if the content is bad; repack the firmware ZIP so it holds nothing but .nca files at the root. Every message is listed below, verbatim from Eden's source code as of November 1, 2026.
Quick lookup
| Error message | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Encryption keys are missing | Android: prod.keys not installed | Install prod.keys in setup or settings |
Decryption keys are missing. Install them now? | PC: prod.keys not installed | Click Yes, pick prod.keys, restart Eden |
Keys failed to initialize / Decryption Keys failed to initialize | Keys file is invalid, incomplete or too old | Re-dump prod.keys |
Verify your keys file has a .keys extension and try again. | Wrong file name | Rename it to prod.keys |
Firmware installation failed | Android: the ZIP contains non-.nca entries | Put only .nca files in the ZIP |
Install decryption keys and restart Eden before attempting to install firmware. | PC: firmware before keys | Keys first, restart, then firmware |
Firmware Corrupted | Keys older than firmware, or bad firmware | Newer keys; re-dump firmware if needed |
Fatal Error (while installing) | Android: extract or copy failed | User reports: grant storage permission |
Error installing file(s) to NAND | Update/DLC install failed: no keys or bad file | Install keys first; re-dump the file |
Error during Fetch | Driver manager can't reach GitHub | Change network, wait, or import the zip manually |
Errors that only show up when you launch a game are covered elsewhere: Android's "Your ROM is encrypted" in Your ROM is encrypted: what it means, and the PC "Error while loading ROM! (0007-XXXX)" codes in the 0007 error code list.
Eden for PC (Windows, Linux, Mac, Steam Deck)
Eden checks for keys every time it starts, so a missing keys file triggers a prompt right away, before you open any game.
| Message | When | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
Derivation Components Missing / Decryption keys are missing. Install them now? | Every launch | No keys installed | Click Yes and pick prod.keys (it's the only file Eden takes). Later you can use Tools > Install Decryption Keys |
Install decryption keys and restart Eden before attempting to install firmware. | Installing firmware | Keys missing, or installed without a restart | Install keys, close and reopen Eden, then Tools > Install Firmware |
Verify your keys file has a .keys extension and try again. | Installing keys | Wrong extension, such as prod.keys.txt | Show file extensions and rename it to prod.keys |
Decryption Keys failed to initialize. Check that your dumping tools are up to date and re-dump keys. | Installing keys | The file loads, but its content is invalid, incomplete or too old | Re-dump a fresh prod.keys |
Unable to read key directory, aborting / One or more keys failed to copy. | Installing keys | Eden can't read the folder or copy the file, usually a permission or path issue | Move prod.keys to a normal folder such as Documents and pick it again |
Unable to locate potential firmware NCA files | Installing firmware | No firmware .nca files in the folder or ZIP you picked | Make sure you picked the firmware itself. Tools > Install Firmware has From Folder and From ZIP; use the one that matches |
Firmware installation cancelled, firmware may be in a bad state or corrupted. Restart Eden or re-install firmware. | During firmware install | Install was cancelled or interrupted | Restart Eden and install again |
Firmware Corrupted / Firmware reported as present, but was unable to be read. Check for decryption keys and redump firmware if necessary. | Opening the Home Menu or an applet | Keys don't match the firmware (keys older than firmware), or the firmware is damaged | Use keys at least as new as the firmware; re-dump the firmware if that fails |
No firmware available / Firmware missing. Firmware is required to run certain games and use the Home Menu. | Opening the Home Menu or an applet | No firmware installed | Install firmware |
Game Requires Firmware / This game may require firmware to function properly, and you don't have any installed. Please install firmware before launching, or press "OK" to launch anyways. | Before a game starts | No firmware installed | Install firmware. OK launches anyway, but many games crash |
Firmware integrity verification failed! | Verifying firmware | Firmware files are damaged | Re-dump the firmware |
Eden stores keys in the keys folder of its data directory (%AppData%\eden\keys on Windows). If the cause isn't clear, open File > Open Eden Folders > Log Folder and check eden_log.txt. Attach it when you ask for help.
Eden for Android
| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Encryption keys are missing / Firmware and retail games cannot be decrypted | No keys installed | First-run setup, or Settings > Manage Eden data > Install prod.keys |
Skip adding keys? / Valid keys are required to emulate retail games. Only homebrew apps will function if you continue. | You skipped keys in setup | Go back and install them. Without keys only homebrew runs |
Failed to Install Keys / Keys failed to initialize. Check that your dumping tools are up to date and re-dump keys. | Keys file is invalid, incomplete or too old | Re-dump prod.keys |
Verify your keys file has a .keys extension and try again. | The name became prod.keys(1), prod (1).keys or similar | Rename it to prod.keys. With several keys files in one folder, it's easy to pick the wrong one |
Firmware installation failed / Make sure the firmware nca files are at the root of the zip and try again. | The ZIP contains entries that aren't .nca files (see below) | Repack the ZIP |
| Fatal Error (flashes up while installing firmware or keys) | Extracting or copying failed | See the Fatal Error section below |
Error installing file(s) to NAND / Please ensure content(s) are valid and that the prod.keys file is installed. | Keys missing while installing an update or DLC, or the file is invalid | Install keys first; re-dump the file if it still fails |
Installation of base games isn't permitted in order to avoid possible conflicts. | You tried to install a base game to NAND | Add base games through a game folder. NAND install is for updates and DLC only |
System Archive Not Found / %s is missing. Please dump your system archives. Continuing emulation may result in crashes. | A firmware component the game needs is missing: no firmware, or firmware too old | Install or update firmware, along with matching keys |
| Game Requires Firmware | No firmware installed | Install firmware |
Fatal Error / A fatal error occurred. Check the log for details. Continuing emulation may result in crashes. | Unknown error while a game runs | Settings > Share Debug Logs and read the log |
The Android messages above are Eden's. Citron Neo for Android comes from the same yuzu code, but some wording may differ.
Why the firmware ZIP keeps failing
Eden's source (InstallableActions.kt) shows what happens: Android Eden extracts the ZIP into a cache folder and counts the top-level entries. If the total count doesn't match the number of .nca files, it fails. A subfolder counts as one entry. So all of these fail:
- An extra folder inside the ZIP (for example
Firmware 21.2.0/xxxx.nca) - A readme,
.txt,.urlor any other file mixed in - A ZIP inside a ZIP
Fix: select all the .nca files themselves and zip them, so the first level of the ZIP is nothing but .nca files. Pick that ZIP file in Eden; don't extract it first. On success, Eden replaces the old firmware entirely with the new one.
"Fatal Error" while installing firmware or keys on Android
Eden shows "Fatal Error" when extracting or copying throws an exception. The dialog gives no reason.
User reports (Samsung S22, Galaxy Tab S9 and similar; not confirmed for every phone) point to storage permission. In system settings, find All files access (the menu name varies by phone), show system apps, and allow the system component named External storage. Then install again in Eden.
"Error installing file(s) to NAND" and base games
Eden's docs describe Install Files to NAND (File > Install Files to NAND on PC) as the way to add separate update and DLC files. Base games go straight into the game list. Trying to install a base game this way gets rejected with Installation of base games isn't permitted in order to avoid possible conflicts.
If an update or DLC fails with Error installing file(s) to NAND, confirm prod.keys is installed first. If keys are fine, the file is probably incomplete, so re-dump it.
Citron Neo for PC
Citron Neo for PC still uses the old yuzu wording when keys are missing:
Derivation Components Missing
Encryption keys are missing.
For support, please visit Help > Get Support (Discord) in the main emulation window.
That's why searching "encryption keys are missing" brings up yuzu, Citron Neo and Eden Android results together. They all mean the same thing: prod.keys isn't installed. The fix matches Eden on PC: install the keys, then restart.
Keep versions matched: keys can't be older than firmware
- Keys must be at least as new as the firmware. With older keys, firmware installs but can't be read. Eden reports "Firmware Corrupted", and games hit decryption errors. After a console system update, replace keys and firmware together.
- Newer firmware isn't always better. As of November 1, 2026, Citron Neo's site lists support up to 21.2.0. No emulator has officially announced full support for 23.x firmware, and Eden's issue #4414 about 23.x firmware is still open.
- For the basics and where each emulator keeps these files, see prod.keys, title.keys and firmware explained.
Android driver manager: "Error during Fetch" and failed installs
The GPU driver manager in Eden for Android throws its own errors. They have nothing to do with keys or firmware, but you hit them during the same first-time setup:
| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Error during Fetch / Failed to fetch | Fetch calls api.github.com directly. Your network can't reach GitHub, or you hit GitHub's unauthenticated limit of 60 requests per hour | Switch networks or wait an hour. Or take the driver zip from the author's GitHub releases page and use Install (don't extract it) |
Downloaded driver is empty, check your internet | The transfer was cut off | Retry on another network |
Driver installation failed / Failed to install %1$s driver, does your system support it? | Not a Snapdragon phone (Mali and Xclipse can't run Turnip), or the wrong zip | MediaTek and Exynos phones can only use the system driver. On Snapdragon, pick the driver zip itself |
Unsupported GPU / Your GPU does not support driver injection. Attempting to set custom drivers is not recommended. | Your GPU can't swap drivers | Use System Driver |
For choosing and switching drivers, see Turnip drivers for Android. If a game then says "An error occurred initializing the video core", see Vulkan and video core errors.
FAQ
How do I fix "Encryption keys are missing" in Eden?
Eden for Android shows this when prod.keys isn't installed. Use Install prod.keys in the first-run setup, or under Manage Eden data in settings, and pick your prod.keys file. Eden only accepts that one file. On PC the same problem shows "Decryption keys are missing. Install them now?". Click Yes, pick prod.keys and restart Eden.
Why does Eden Android say "Firmware installation failed"?
Eden extracts the ZIP and fails if any top-level entry isn't a .nca file. An extra folder inside the ZIP counts. Repack it so the .nca files sit directly at the root with nothing else, then pick the ZIP itself without extracting it.
Eden won't accept my prod.keys. What does "Keys failed to initialize" mean?
Check the exact message. "Verify your keys file has a .keys extension" means the name is wrong, often prod.keys.txt or prod (1).keys. Rename it to prod.keys. "Keys failed to initialize" means the content is bad: incomplete, corrupted or too old. Re-dump a fresh prod.keys.
Why do I get "Fatal Error" when adding firmware to Eden on Android?
Eden shows Fatal Error when extracting or copying the files throws an exception. Users with Samsung S22 and Tab S9 devices reported a storage permission cause. In system settings, open All files access, show system apps and allow the External storage component. This is a user report and may not apply to every phone.
What does "Install decryption keys and restart Eden before attempting to install firmware" mean?
Eden needs keys loaded before it can install firmware. Use Tools > Install Decryption Keys, pick prod.keys, close and reopen Eden, then use Tools > Install Firmware.
How do I fix "Error installing file(s) to NAND" in Eden?
It appears when installing an update or DLC fails. Most often prod.keys isn't installed yet, or the update or DLC file is invalid. Install keys first. If it still fails, re-dump that file. Base games can't be installed to NAND. Add them to the game list instead.
What does "Error during Fetch" mean in Eden's GPU driver manager?
Fetch calls the GitHub API directly to list drivers. If your network can't reach GitHub, or you hit GitHub's limit for unauthenticated requests (60 per hour), it fails. Switch networks or wait an hour. You can also take the driver zip from the driver author's GitHub releases page and use Install without extracting it.
What does "Firmware Corrupted" mean in Eden?
Eden sees installed firmware but can't read it. Usually your keys are older than the firmware, or the firmware files are damaged. Use keys at least as new as the firmware, and re-dump the firmware if that doesn't help.