Introduction
Configuring your modded Switch is a labor of love, and in AtmosphereSwitch as well, so watching your custom settings vanish upon reboot is a special kind of heartbreak.
You meticulously adjust your system clocks, button mappings, or cheat preferences, only to find the console has reverted to stock defaults the next time you turn it on.
This amnesia isn’t usually a hardware defect, but a symptom of file permission errors or conflicting background processes.
By correcting the configuration file attributes and ensuring your SD card is writable, you can force Atmosphere to permanently remember your preferences.
What Causes AtmosphereSwitch Not Saving Configuration?
AtmosphereSwitch not saving configuration is primarily caused by the operating system’s inability to write new data to the specific .ini files on your SD card.
The most notorious culprit is the “Archive Bit,” a file attribute that confuses the Switch’s Horizon OS. When this bit is set incorrectly (often by macOS or faulty file transfers), the Switch treats the folder as “read-only” or invisible, meaning any changes you make in the GUI are never actually written to the disk.
Another frequent cause is file system corruption. If your SD card is formatted to exFAT, a simple crash can lock the file table into a protective state. In this state, the Switch can read games but cannot save new configuration settings, silently discarding your inputs.
Finally, user error during file editing plays a role. If you edit a config file using a rich text editor (like Word) instead of a raw code editor (like Notepad++), hidden formatting characters can break the file structure, causing Atmosphere to reject the file and load defaults instead.
How to Fix the Archive Bit Error in Hekate
The “Archive Bit” is a metadata flag that Windows uses for backups, but on the Switch, it effectively acts as a “Do Not Touch” sign for the OS.
If your settings folders have this bit set, the Switch believes it lacks permission to save changes. Hekate includes a powerful, built-in tool specifically designed to scrub this flag from your entire file system.
Steps to Fix Attributes
- Boot Hekate: Hold Volume – while sending your payload.
- Navigate: Tap Tools at the top of the screen.
- Select: Choose Arch bit • RCM • Touch from the bottom menu.
- Execute: Tap “Fix Archive Bit” and wait for the “Done” message.
This is the universal “first response” for any saving issue. It repairs the directory structure without deleting any data, often restoring your ability to save settings instantly.
Solving Read-Only File Attributes on PC
Sometimes, your computer applies a “Read-Only” lock at the file level, preventing the Switch from modifying the file later.
This often happens when you copy files from a “locked” zip archive or from a write-protected backup folder. The file carries that “Read-Only” permission over to the SD card.
checking Windows Properties
- Insert your SD card into your PC.
- Navigate to /atmosphere/config/.
- Right-click system_settings.ini (or the problematic file) and select Properties.
- Look at the “Attributes” section at the bottom.
- Uncheck “Read-only” if it is ticked.
- Click Apply.
using Command Prompt for Bulk Fixes
If you suspect multiple files are locked, use the command line to unlock everything at once.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type attrib -r /s /d X:\*.* (Replace X with your SD card drive letter).
- Press Enter. This command forcibly removes the Read-Only flag from every file on the card.
Why SD Card Corruption Prevents Saving Settings
If the underlying file system is damaged, the Switch often mounts the SD card in “safe mode,” which prevents write operations to avoid further damage.
This is extremely common with exFAT cards. If a write operation failed previously, the File Allocation Table (FAT) might be marked as “dirty.” The OS sees this and blocks all future attempts to save settings until the error is fixed.
Scanning for Errors
- Connect the SD card to your Windows PC.
- Open “This PC” and right-click your SD card.
- Go to Properties > Tools > Error checking.
- Click “Check. Windows will scan and attempt to repair the file table.
The FAT32 Solution
To permanently stop this from happening, move away from exFAT.
- Back up all data to your PC.
- Format the card to FAT32 using a tool like GUIFormat.
- Restore your files.
- FAT32 is robust and rarely locks into “Read-Only” mode, ensuring your configuration saves stick.
Auditing Configuration Files for Syntax Errors
AtmosphereSwitch is extremely strict about how configuration files are written; a single typo can invalidate the entire file.
If you accidentally deleted a semicolon or typed a value incorrectly, Atmosphere’s parser will fail. When it fails, it doesn’t tell you; it just ignores the file completely and loads the default internal settings.
Common Syntax Mistakes
- Missing Semicolons: Comments must start with a semicolon. If you remove it to enable a setting, ensure you don’t leave random text.
- Wrong Value Types: Some settings require a u8 (number), others a string.
- Correct: u8!0x1
- Incorrect: 1 or true
- Smart Quotes: Rich text editors replace straight quotes ” with curly quotes “”. The Switch cannot read curly quotes.
Using the Right Tools
Always use Notepad++ (Windows) or Sublime Text (Mac/Linux). These editors show line numbers and color-code the syntax, helping you spot errors that Wordpad or Microsoft Word would hide.
Managing Sysmodules That Revert Changes
Sometimes, Atmosphere saves your configuration, but a background plugin (sysmodule) immediately overwrites it.
Sysmodules like Sys-clk (overclocking) or SaltyNX run continuously. They have their own internal priority that supersedes manual system settings.
Identifying the Conflict
- Tesla Menu: Open the overlay menu (L + D-Pad Down + R3 usually).
- Toggle Off: Manually turn off all sysmodules.
- Test: Change a setting and reboot.
- If the setting sticks now, one of your modules was the culprit.
Configuring the Module
You don’t have to delete the module; you just need to configure it.
For example, if Sys-clk keeps resetting your clocks, don’t change clocks in the Horizon OS settings. Instead, edit the /config/sys-clk/config.ini file directly. The module will always obey its own config file over your manual inputs.
Checking the Physical SD Card Slot for Damage
In rare cases, the issue is a physical disconnect between the card and the reader pins during the “Write” phase.
The Switch SD reader is modular and flimsy. If the pins are loose, the card might maintain a connection for reading (loading games) but fail during the higher-voltage spike required for writing data (saving settings).
The “Loose Reader” Test
- Turn off the console and remove the kickstand.
- Gently press down on the SD card slot area.
- Turn on the console. Try to save a setting.
- If pressing down makes it work, your SD reader connector is loose on the motherboard.
Cleaning the Contacts
Use a Q-tip flattened with pliers, dipped in high-purity isopropyl alcohol.
Gently insert it into the SD slot to clean the internal pins. Sometimes a thin layer of oxidation prevents the “Write Enable” pin from making solid contact, causing the card to act as Read-Only.
Best Practices for Editing Atmosphere Config Files
To ensure your settings are saved and respected every time, follow a strict protocol for file management.
Consistency in how you edit and transfer files eliminates 90% of “ghost” errors.
- Edit on PC: Avoid using homebrew text editors on the Switch itself. They are often buggy and can corrupt file headers.
- Use Templates: Always start with the official system_settings.ini template from the Atmosphere GitHub repo.
- Eject Safely: Always use the “Safely Remove Hardware” function. Yanking the card corrupts the very file you just saved.
- Verify Changes: After editing, close the file and reopen it to ensure your changes are actually saved to the text file before ejecting.
FAQ’s about AtmosphereSwitch Not Saving Configuration
Why does Atmosphere revert my settings after a reboot?
This is typically due to the Archive Bit being set on the config folder. The OS treats the folder as read-only, so your changes are discarded on shutdown. Use Hekate’s “Fix Archive Bit” tool to resolve this.
Can I edit the system_settings.ini file on my phone?
It is not recommended. Mobile text editors often add hidden formatting or metadata that breaks the strict .ini syntax Atmosphere requires. It is much safer to use a PC with Notepad++.
What happens if I delete the config folder entirely?
Deleting the /atmosphere/config/ folder is safe. On the next boot, Atmosphere will simply generate a new folder with default settings. This is a good way to “factory reset” your configuration if you have messed it up.
Why is my SD card stuck in “Read-Only” mode?
This is usually a safety mechanism triggered by file system corruption. If the Switch detects a damaged file table (especially on exFAT), it locks the card to prevent further data loss. You need to repair it using Windows “Error Checking” or reformat it.
Does Tinfoil interfere with Atmosphere settings?
Generally, no, but Tinfoil has its own internal settings that can override system behaviors, such as blocking Nintendo servers (DNS). If you change DNS settings manually and Tinfoil reverts them, check Tinfoil’s “Incognito” or security settings.
How do I save cheats settings permanently in EdiZon?
EdiZon saves cheats to a specific .txt or .ini file for that game ID. If cheats aren’t saving, check that the /atmosphere/contents/[TitleID]/cheats/ folder exists and is not read-only.
Why does my custom theme disappear after a reboot?
Themes are applied via a folder in /atmosphere/contents/01000000001000/. If this folder is deleted or corrupted on reboot, the theme vanishes. This often happens if you have a “cleaner” script running that wipes the contents folder on boot.
Is there a limit to how many settings I can change?
No, there is no hard limit. However, if your system_settings.ini file becomes too large or contains conflicting commands (e.g., enabling and disabling the same feature), Atmosphere may parse it incorrectly, leading to parts of it being ignored. Keep it clean and organized.
