[WARN]: Failed to match key "bis_kek_source" [WARN]: Failed to match key "bis_key_00"
If the file is not there, hactool reports the error.
Hactool requires a keyset file (typically named prod.keys ) to function. Without this file, it cannot perform decryption or verification tasks on NCA (Nintendo Content Archive) or XCI files. The error persists even if you have the file if it is in the wrong location or the software isn't pointed to it correctly. How to Fix the Error To resolve this issue, follow these troubleshooting steps: 1. Obtain Your Keys hactool prodkeys does not exist
Without these keys, hactool cannot decrypt the .nca files (the core files inside a game dump), making it impossible to read or modify the content.
There are two ways to make hactool see your prod.keys file: the or the Home Directory Method . Method A: The Local Directory (Easiest) [WARN]: Failed to match key "bis_kek_source" [WARN]: Failed
By following the steps above—dumping keys from your own Switch using Lockpick_RCM and placing prod.keys in the correct directory—you can resolve the error and unlock the full power of hactool for legitimate reverse engineering, modding, or backup extraction.
Still stuck? Use this table to diagnose your issue: The error persists even if you have the
Replace path/to/prod.keys with the actual file path on your computer. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
However, these tools ultimately rely on the same prod.keys file. Fixing the core issue is unavoidable.
However, one of the most common stumbling blocks for beginners and even experienced users is the dreaded error:
... and still see: [WARN] prod.keys does not exist.