Pokémon Silver Cheat Codes Not Working? Fix Them Fast

If you’ve ever typed in a Pokémon Silver cheat code, hit “Enable,” and then stared at the screen like… hello?? …same. The good news is: most cheat failures come down to three boring (but fixable) things:

1. the emulator is reading the code in the wrong “language” (format)
2. there’s a tiny entry issue (usually spaces or a sneaky typo)
3. two codes are elbowing each other in memory and your game is like “I’m out.”

Let’s get you back to playing instead of rage blinking at a frozen GBC screen.

The fastest fix (the one that works way too often)

Before you retype anything in a spiral, do this:

Go into your emulator’s cheat settings and switch the cheat type/format between GameShark and Action Replay.
Don’t change the code yet. Just flip the format.

It’s the cheat code version of “did you unplug it and plug it back in?” and I hate how effective it is.

Cheat formats, in human terms

Think of GameShark and Action Replay as two dialects. Similar vibes, but not interchangeable if your emulator is picky.

My rule of thumb:

• If the code is labeled, match the label.
• If it’s unlabeled, try GameShark first, then Action Replay.
• Only pick CodeBreaker if the code specifically says CodeBreaker (otherwise it’s probably not that).

Also: lose the spaces

A lot of emulators want cheats as an 8 character hex string with no spaces.

So this:

• 01 FF 7C D5

Becomes this:

• 01FF7CD5

Yes, it’s annoying. Yes, it matters.

Match what you’re seeing to the fix (don’t freestyle)

Here’s the quick “symptom → solution” cheat sheet:

“Invalid cheat” when you enter it

• Wrong format selected or
• Your code has spaces / weird line breaks / trailing spaces from copy paste

Fix: re enter it clean (no spaces), then toggle GameShark ↔ Action Replay using emulator cheat entry steps.

Code is enabled… but nothing happens

Usually one of these:

• The code needs a Master Code (some lists do, some don’t)
• Your ROM version/region doesn’t match the code

Fix: jump down to the ROM section below and use the “test code” trick.

Game freezes / soft locks right after enabling cheats

That’s almost always code conflict. Cheats can absolutely fight like toddlers in a toy aisle.

Fix: use my “Universal Fix Sequence” below and add codes back one at a time.

Money is stuck at 999 (or just not maxing properly)

Max money cheats are often a set, not a single code.

Fix: make sure you enabled all codes in the set (I included the 3 part one below).

Weird sprites / question marks / glitchy Pokémon

Often happens with encounter modifiers or bad values.

Fix: disable cheats, go into a normal battle, save in game, and fully restart the emulator.

You’re stuck in an NPC dialogue loop (Elm won’t shut up, etc.)

You probably left a story affecting cheat on (starter cheats are famous for this).

Fix: disable the code immediately, save in game, restart the emulator. (And maybe apologize to Elm. Kidding. Mostly.)

The Universal Fix Sequence (for freezes, soft locks, and chaos)

This is the part nobody wants to do, but it fixes like 90% of stubborn problems.

1. Disable all cheats
2. Save in game (Start → Save). Not a save state.
3. Fully quit the emulator (not just minimize)
4. Reopen emulator and load your in game save
5. Enable ONE cheat only
6. Play for a few minutes
   • If stable: save in game again and add the next cheat
   • If it breaks: congrats, you found your troublemaker

Yes, it’s slower than “enable 12 codes at once and hope for the best.”
But also: it works, and it doesn’t end with you googling “Pokémon Silver corrupted save help” at 1 a.m.

The sneaky culprits people miss

1) The Master Code thing

Some cheat lists include a Master Code (basically a key that lets other codes work). If the list you used mentions one and you skipped it, that’s a big reason nothing’s happening.

Not every emulator/code set needs it, but if you see “Master Code required,” believe it. The cheat isn’t being “optional.” It’s being needy.

2) Your ROM version/region doesn’t match

Pokémon Silver isn’t one single identical file everywhere. There are different regions (US/EU/JPN) and revisions (v1.0, v1.1, etc.), and cheats can point to memory addresses that shift between versions.

Quick checks:

• Look at the ROM filename for tags like (USA) / (Europe) / Rev / v1.1
• Check your emulator’s ROM info/properties screen (many have one)
• Try a simple “test” cheat like Casino Coins below. If that doesn’t work, your code set may not match your ROM.

3) Codes that don’t play nice together

Some codes touch the same parts of memory (encounter modifiers + shiny modifiers are common “don’t sit together” candidates). If you’re using multiple “spawn/encounter” style cheats at once, do them in separate sessions.

One wish at a time, genie.

Save file safety (because your save is the real treasure)

Here’s the thing I learned the annoying way: turning a cheat off doesn’t always undo what it already changed. It usually just stops it from writing new values.

And save states? They’re messy with cheats.

Why save states can make problems “stick”

If you make a save state while a cheat is active, then later disable the cheat and load that save state… the game may pop right back into the cheat altered memory like nothing happened.

So when you’re using cheats:

• Prefer in game saves
• Use save states sparingly (or at least don’t treat them like a magic undo button)

My “don’t cry later” routine

Before you try a new code:

• Make a fresh in game save you can roll back to
• Add cheats one at a time
• If you’re using encounter/shiny modifiers, turn them off before you catch things if you notice glitches

Basically: be a responsible chaos goblin.

A small list of Pokémon Silver cheats that actually work (US style)

A quick note on formatting:

• These are usually entered as 8 hex characters, no spaces (example: 01FF7CD5)
• If you see XX, you replace it with a valid two digit hex value (00-FF)

Verified style codes (US)

All Three Starters
0100BAD7
Enable before you go into Elm’s lab / do the starter moment, then turn it off after you’ve grabbed the third. Leaving it on is how you get the “Elm never stops talking” experience.

Maximum Money (all three required at the same time)

• 019973D5
• 019974D5
• 019975D5

Casino Coins (also a great “does my emulator accept this format?” test from my top GameShark codes list)

• 01277AD5

Johto Badges (all 8)

• 01FF7CD5

Kanto Badges (all 8)

• 01FF7DD5

Catch Any Pokémon (replace XX with the Pokémon’s hex ID)

• 01XXEDD0

Teleport/Warp (replace XX with a location code)

• 01XXEDCE

Soft lock escape trick

If you used a code that trapped you somewhere (or in a dialogue loop), a teleport code can sometimes get you out. Use it to move somewhere safe, then disable it immediately.

Cheats are like painter’s tape: helpful… until you leave them on for three weeks and everything gets weird.

If you only remember one thing next time…

Start with the boring stuff:

1. switch GameShark ↔ Action Replay
2. remove spaces
3. enable one cheat at a time using in game saves

Do that, and you’ll spend way less time troubleshooting and way more time doing what you came here to do: casually bending Johto to your will.

Now go make your emulator behave.