Files
libretro/wiki/troubleshooting.md
T
Abdessamad Derraz 9e6af0aa6b feat: serve the one-line installer from the site
The site serves install.sh at /retrobios/i and install.ps1 at
/retrobios/i.ps1. generate_site.py writes both copies with the
installer address set to install.py at the commit the site is built
from (GITHUB_SHA in CI, HEAD locally), so the pinned SHA-256 and the
downloaded installer always come from one commit, including while a
deploy is still running.

Every command a user copies names the short address. The raw form
stays on the installer page as the fallback. Deploy Site now runs on
changes to install.sh and install.ps1. The install box weight keeps
the address length its ratio was fitted on, so no console page moves.
2026-10-28 05:47:38 +01:00

3.7 KiB

level, order, terms
level order terms
start 40 bios not found, bios missing, firmware missing, bios error, check my bios folder, check bios folder

When a game does not start

Usually a BIOS file is missing or wrong.

1. Check my BIOS folder

Your emulator says BIOS not found, BIOS missing or firmware missing? Run the command with --check. It changes nothing.

curl -fsSL https://abdess.github.io/retrobios/i | sh -s -- --check

Read the count line:

  1/109 present (0 verified, 1 wrong hash)
  • wrong hash: another region or model, or damaged.
  • Fewer present than the total: files are missing.
  • A line under a file, like still zipped, says the fix.
  • 0 wrong hash, all present: go to step 3.

2. Fix the files

Without --check, it adds missing files and replaces wrong ones.

3. Check the folder and the names

  • Right folder? Get your files names it.
  • Exact name? scph5501.bin and SCPH-5501.BIN differ.
  • A bios folder inside your BIOS folder? The installer copies those files up one level.
  • BIOS setting on a subfolder, like system/dc? Point it at the BIOS folder. Emulators add their own, like dc/ for Flycast.
  • A ZIP in parts, like Pack.part1of2.zip? Unzip all parts into one folder.

An arcade game does not start

It needs its BIOS set, like neogeo.zip, and a game set for the same emulator version.

The BIOS is fine, the game still fails

  • Another emulator? Each reads the files listed on its page.
  • A BIOS setting? Some emulators can skip the BIOS. In PCSX ReARMed, set BIOS Selection to Auto.
  • The screen says "Please insert PlayStation CD-ROM"? The BIOS works. The game did not load: open its .cue or .m3u file, not a .bin.

If the command fails

  • Network error: try again later.
  • The clock reads ...: set the right date.
  • Permission denied: do what the message says.
  • No supported platform detected: name the folder. Not sure? Open RetroArch's Settings > Directory > System/BIOS.
curl -fsSL https://abdess.github.io/retrobios/i | sh -s -- --platform retroarch --dest ~/.config/retroarch/system

Other messages: When something goes wrong.

Next steps