Error message

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In the Pokémon games, there are several error codes which can appear when the game is not functioning properly. These error codes are likely used internally to identify what the problem with the game is.

In Generation I

In Pokémon Red and Blue, there are several error codes that appear when the game is not functioning correctly. Problems such as these sometimes crop up when the game's memory access is corrupted and can occasionally appear when experimenting with glitches such as the Mew glitch. Usually, when an error code appears, the game does not freeze and the player is allowed to continue playing the game without resetting. Currently, there are 15 known error codes in the Generation I Pokémon games:

Number Text that appears on screen Possible reason for error
0 0 Error. The text that is currently in the text box is wrong and should normally be in a different place. Sometimes this error causes strange or glitchy characters to appear.
1 1 Error. The game is unable to complete an event. For example, this error message can appear when the player is talking to someone and the game does not have anything valid to say. This can be seen in Pokémon Yellow when the player finishes the game with 152 entries in the Pokédex.
01 I Error. This error can occur when the game confuses battle events with regular events; sometimes when the player switches Pokémon beyond the sixth slot or incorrectly performs the Dokokashira door glitch, this can lead the player into a fight with a glitch Pokémon, or freeze the game.
2 2 Error. There is an error displaying in-game text when reading objects such as signs and TVs.
02 The file data is destroyed! This error can appear when the player has damaged the game data to a point of no repair, sometimes through the use of glitches which can alter the game save, or when a cross-region trade is attempted.
4 4 Error. Text error
5 5 Error. The current position of the player character is unrecognized. This can cause strange or glitchy characters to appear. [1]
6 6 Error. Text error
7 7 Error. The game is unable to display the correct/required text.
9 9 Error. This error message can appear when a game attempts to perform an event but the Pokémon in the player's party is unrecognized. For example, when the player attempts to trade a non-hybrid glitch Pokémon with a non-playable character.
20 20 Error. Text error
40 40 Error. The sound clip that is playing is unrecognized, this can sometimes play random Pokémon cries.
48 48 Error. When this error occurs, the screen will turn white and the words "48 ERROR" pop up before quickly reverting back to whatever the player was previously doing. This error can be caused by the glitch Pokémon a for unknown reasons.
56 56 Error. The game is unable to display the correct/required text. The glitch Pokémon 'Ng'Mp's Pokédex entry triggers this error.
59 59 Error. This error is similar to a 5 Error, however it has also been seen after text such as "This is my graThe trainer blocked the ball! I2"
98 98 Error. This error can occur when data transferred between two cartridges via link cable is damaged, corrupted, or otherwise glitched.
99 99 Error. This error can occur when data transferred between the Game Boy Tower and the Game Boy game is damaged, corrupted, or otherwise glitched by the Transfer Pak.

Mixed errors

Sometimes the game will seem to mix error codes in between text; for example "9" with 2 Error. This would display "92 Error." but this is not an official error code.

Gallery

In Generation II

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal feature a more detailed method of handling errors compared to Red, Blue and Yellow, although error messages are uncommon in-game without the use of a cheating device.

Name Cause/Description
'Object Event' This text appears when the player attempts to talk to a character who normally cannot be talked to and thus has no talk event defined. [2]
'No windows avail-able for popping.' This text appears when an event attempts to bring up a message window yet the specified text/function is undefined - notably appears when HM06 is used outside of the TM/HM pocket [3]
'The window save area was exceeded.' Theoretically would appear when too many overlapping popup windows are displayed. [4]
'Corrupted Event!' It is currently unknown when this may appear. A possible error regarding an event which has invalid data. [5]
'BG Event' Theoretically would appear when the player triggers a hidden event (such as leaving New Bark Town without a Pokémon) which has no script defined. [6]
'The save file is corrupted!' This error message commonly appears when the player attempts to select Continue but the game has no valid data to load. For example, the game may give this message when data has been corrupted by a cross-region trade. This may also occur if the internal battery inside the game cartridge is dying or has died. [7]

Related articles



Multiple
generations
Transform glitchesGlitch TrainersCloning glitchesError messagesArbitrary code execution
Generation I GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
--0 ERRORBroken hidden itemsCable Club escape glitchDual-type damage misinformation
Experience underflow glitchFight Safari Zone Pokémon trickGlitch CityItem duplication glitchItem underflow
Mew glitchOld man glitchPewter Gym skip glitchPokémon merge glitchRhydon glitchRival twins glitch
Select glitches (dokokashira door glitch, second type glitch) • Super Glitch
Time Capsule exploitWalking through wallsZZAZZ glitch
Generation II GlitchesBattle glitches
Bug-Catching Contest glitchCelebi Egg glitchCoin Case glitchesExperience underflow glitch
Glitch dimensionGlitch EggTeru-samaTime Capsule exploitTrainer House glitchesGS Ball mail glitch
Generation III GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
Berry glitchDive glitchPomeg glitchGlitzer Popping
Generation IV GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
Acid rainGTS glitchesPomeg glitchRage glitch
Surf glitchTweakingPal Park Retire glitch
Generation V GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
Charge Beam additional effect chance glitchCharge move replacement glitchChoice item lock glitch
Frozen Zoroark glitchSky Drop glitch
Generation VI GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
Charge Beam additional effect chance glitchCharge move replacement glitchChoice item lock glitch
Lumiose City save glitchSymbiosis Eject Button glitchToxic sure-hit glitch
Generation VII GlitchesBattle glitches
Charge Beam additional effect chance glitchCharge move replacement glitchChoice item lock glitch
Toxic sure-hit glitchRollout storage glitch
Generation VIII Glitches
Charge Beam additional effect chance glitchCharge move replacement glitchChoice item lock glitch
Toxic sure-hit glitchRollout storage glitchParty item offset glitch
Generation IX Glitches
Glitch effects Game freezeGlitch battleGlitch song
Gen I only: Glitch screenTMTRAINER effectInverted sprite
Gen II only: Glitch dimension
Lists Glitches (GOMystery DungeonTCG GBSpin-off)
Glitch Pokémon (Gen IGen IIGen IIIGen IVGen VGen VIGen VIIGen VIII)
Glitch moves (Gen I) • Glitch types (Gen IGen II)


Project GlitchDex logo.png This article is part of Project GlitchDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on glitches in the Pokémon games.