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The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom update 1.4.3 fixes the Black Hinox medal bug

21 February 2026
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
12 min.
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The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom update 1.4.3 fixes the Black Hinox medal bug

Summary:

Nintendo pushed fresh updates for both The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in mid-February 2026, and the most important takeaway is refreshingly simple: one stubborn progression hiccup has been removed from Tears of the Kingdom. Version 1.4.3, released on February 17, 2026, fixes an issue where the Black Hinox in Hyrule Castle could keep showing as “undefeated” even after you already won the fight. That one glitch had a surprisingly sharp knock-on effect, because it could block you from obtaining the Hinox Monster Medal. If you care about finishing monster-related milestones, collecting medals, or just keeping your save file tidy, that kind of roadblock feels like tripping on the last step of the stairs.

After installing the update data, the path to the Hinox Monster Medal should behave properly again, meaning your victory can actually count the way it was always meant to. Nintendo also notes that several other issues were addressed to improve the gameplay experience, without listing every single change. On the Breath of the Wild side, the latest update is version 1.9.0, also dated February 17, 2026, and it adds Thai as a supported text language when playing on Nintendo Switch 2 under the Thai or English system language setting, with audio remaining in English. Put together, these updates are less about flashy new features and more about removing little points of friction, so your time in Hyrule feels smoother, cleaner, and less likely to be derailed by something that is not your fault.

The February 2026 Zelda Tears of the Kingdom update

Patch days are usually a mixed bag. Sometimes we get a neat quality-of-life surprise, and sometimes we get a single-line fix that still matters more than it looks. In February 2026, Nintendo issued updates for both The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the practical impact lands in that second category. This is not about rewriting the adventure or changing how Hyrule works. This is about making sure the games properly recognize what you have already done, and adding one language support improvement on Switch 2 for Breath of the Wild. If you are the kind of player who likes checking off goals, collecting medals, and leaving no loose ends behind, these small-sounding fixes are the difference between “finished” and “almost finished.”

Tears of the Kingdom moves to version 1.4.3

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s update brings the game to version 1.4.3, released February 17, 2026. The headline fix targets a very specific enemy-related issue tied to Hyrule Castle, but the reason it got attention is easy to understand. When a game tracks monster progress, it is basically keeping receipts on your accomplishments. If the receipt machine jams, you do not just lose a number in a menu – you lose proof that your time and effort counted. Nintendo also notes that several other issues were addressed to improve the gameplay experience, but the only fully detailed change in the official notes is the Black Hinox fix. So if you are updating for one clear reason, this is the reason.

The Black Hinox problem in Hyrule Castle

The issue was straightforward and frustrating at the same time. The Black Hinox in Hyrule Castle could appear as undefeated even after you defeated it, which prevented players from obtaining the Hinox Monster Medal. That kind of bug feels especially rude because it is not a skill check. You can win the fight, do everything right, and still get stuck behind a progress gate that refuses to open. For players chasing completion markers, it is like stamping your passport at the border and then being told the stamp is invisible. Version 1.4.3 specifically fixes that behavior so the game no longer treats that Black Hinox as an unbeaten target after it has been defeated.

What changes once the update is installed

Nintendo’s note is clear about the practical outcome: by downloading the update data, players will be able to obtain the Hinox Monster Medal. That wording matters because it signals a direct relationship between installing the patch and restoring proper progress recognition. In other words, the update is not just a background tweak – it is the key that unlocks the medal path if you were previously blocked by this specific problem. It also means you do not need to start over, rebuild your save, or do anything dramatic to “reset” your file just to make your earlier victory count. Once you are updated, your next steps are about confirming the version and then checking whether the medal condition registers as intended.

Why the Hinox Monster Medal matters to completion

Monster medals are a special kind of motivation because they sit right at the intersection of challenge and closure. A lot of players do not chase 100 percent because they want bragging rights – they chase it because it turns a sprawling open world into a set of personal stories. You remember the fight that went sideways, the clutch recovery, and the moment you finally figured out a clean approach. The Hinox Monster Medal fits that vibe, because it represents a clear “yes, we handled the Hinox problem” stamp on your save. When one specific Black Hinox refuses to be recognized as defeated, it does more than block a medal. It leaves an annoying question mark hanging over your run, and it can make the whole completion chase feel unfair. The 1.4.3 fix brings that sense of fairness back.

How to confirm your game is on version 1.4.3

Before you do anything else, it helps to make sure the update actually took. If you have ever thought you updated a game and later discovered you were still one version behind, you know the feeling – it is like showing up to a party a day early and wondering why the lights are off. The cleanest approach is to check the software version on your system after applying the update. Once the game is on version 1.4.3, you can trust that the Black Hinox fix is part of your installed build. This matters because if the medal still does not register, you want to troubleshoot from a solid starting point, not from a version mismatch.

A quick post-update checklist for the medal

After updating, the goal is to get the game to correctly reflect that the Black Hinox is defeated and allow the Hinox Monster Medal to be obtained. A sensible first step is to load the save file where you already defeated the Black Hinox and then check the relevant medal progress where the game displays it. If you have not fought the Black Hinox yet, updating first is still the smartest move, because it ensures the fight will count properly when you do it. If you already fought it and were blocked, revisit the situation with the updated version installed and verify whether the undefeated state has cleared. The main idea is simple: the patch is meant to make the win count again, so your checklist is really about confirming the game’s “memory” of that fight matches reality.

Breath of the Wild also received an update

Tears of the Kingdom is not the only one getting a tune-up. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild also received an update, and while it is less about a progression fix and more about system-level support, it still matters to real players. The latest update is version 1.9.0, dated February 17, 2026, and it includes a language support change specifically described for Nintendo Switch 2 play. If you are someone who jumps between both games depending on mood, it is nice to see Nintendo keeping the older classic maintained alongside the newer blockbuster. It keeps the whole modern Zelda era feeling like a living shelf, not a museum display.

Breath of the Wild version 1.9.0 on Switch 2

According to Nintendo’s update notes, the Breath of the Wild changes described for version 1.9.0 are framed around playing on Nintendo Switch 2. The key addition is Thai as a supported text language when the Nintendo Switch 2 system language is set to Thai or English in the specific Thai or English configuration described by Nintendo. That is a meaningful accessibility improvement, and it is the kind of change that can bring an entire adventure closer to a player’s natural reading comfort. Nintendo also clarifies an important limitation: the audio language does not support Thai, so audio remains in English under the related in-game option behavior. It is not flashy, but it is practical – and practical is often what keeps long sessions feeling smooth.

Thai language support and what it affects

Language support is one of those upgrades that is easy to overlook until it is for you. If Thai is your preferred reading language, seeing the on-screen text in Thai can change the entire feel of exploration, quest details, and item descriptions. Nintendo’s note makes it equally clear that this is text-focused, not full audio localization, which keeps expectations grounded. So the most accurate way to think about it is this: the world, menus, and written details can display in Thai under the specified Switch 2 system language setting, while spoken audio remains in English. It is a small bridge that still gets you across the river, even if it is not a full highway interchange.

How to install the updates without friction

Updates should be boring in the best way. You want a couple of button presses, a short download, and then you are back in Hyrule before your snack gets cold. Nintendo’s official support instructions focus on updating through standard system methods, which is helpful because it keeps the process consistent across games. The only real trick is making sure your system is connected to the internet and that you are applying the update to the correct software icon if you have multiple Zelda titles installed. If you are updating Tears of the Kingdom to fix the Black Hinox medal issue, it is worth taking the extra moment to confirm the version afterward, because that is how you know the fix is truly active.

Updating from the HOME menu

The HOME menu method is the most direct route because it starts with the game icon you actually play. Once you highlight the title on the HOME menu, you can access the software update option and instruct the system to download the latest update data via the internet. This approach reduces confusion because you are not hunting around store pages or guessing which listing matches your region. It also fits the way most of us actually manage game nights: you see the icon, you update, you play. For Tears of the Kingdom, that means getting to version 1.4.3 before checking the Hinox Monster Medal situation. For Breath of the Wild, it means getting to version 1.9.0 so the latest Switch 2 language support change is in place.

Updating from inside the eShop listing

Another reliable approach is updating from the game’s eShop page, which can be helpful if you are already browsing or re-downloading. The eShop method still ultimately triggers the same idea: you download the latest update data to bring the installed software up to the current version. This can be handy if you are managing multiple consoles in a household or you are reinstalling after freeing up storage, because you are already in the storefront environment. The key is not the path you take – it is the finish line. For Tears of the Kingdom, that finish line is version 1.4.3, where the Black Hinox in Hyrule Castle no longer gets stuck in an undefeated state after being defeated.

What “other issues addressed” realistically means

Nintendo’s patch notes for Tears of the Kingdom version 1.4.3 include one fully described fix and then a familiar phrase: several other issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience. That kind of line can feel vague, but it is also common in modern game updates, especially when a company does not want to list every tiny adjustment or when fixes are too technical to explain cleanly in a short public note. The important part is staying factual about what is known. We know the Black Hinox medal-blocking issue is fixed. We know the update includes other improvements, but they are not individually detailed in the official note. If you notice the game feeling a bit smoother, that is a welcome bonus, but the only promised change you can count on from the published notes is the Hinox progress fix.

Why patch notes sometimes stay vague

Patch notes are a balancing act. On one side, players want transparency, because it builds trust and helps people understand what changed. On the other side, the reality of development is that many fixes are microscopic, interconnected, or simply not interesting to read unless you are debugging the game for a living. Companies also tend to highlight the player-facing issue that caused the most frustration, which in this case was the Black Hinox appearing as undefeated even after being defeated. When the rest of the fixes are described as general improvements, it usually signals stability tweaks, small corrections, or adjustments that do not need player action. The best mindset is to treat the detailed note as the guarantee and the vague note as the supportive maintenance around it.

Good habits for a smoother session after patch day

If you want patch day to feel painless, a few simple habits go a long way. Update before you start a long play session, not halfway through, because nothing breaks immersion like being pulled out of Hyrule to stare at a download bar. After updating, restart the game fully if it was suspended, so the new version is actually running rather than sitting in the background like yesterday’s leftovers. If your main goal is the Hinox Monster Medal, make your first post-update task something quick and verifiable, like checking the relevant progress screen and then revisiting the area tied to the fix if needed. It is the gaming equivalent of checking your pockets before leaving the house – a tiny routine that prevents a lot of unnecessary stress.

If you already beat the Black Hinox, what to do next

This is the scenario most people care about, because it is where the frustration lived. You fought the Black Hinox in Hyrule Castle, you won, and the game still acted like it did not happen. Version 1.4.3 is designed specifically to fix that mismatch so you can obtain the Hinox Monster Medal after downloading the update data. So the next steps are not about re-proving yourself, they are about letting the game finally acknowledge what you already did. Think of it like getting a corrected receipt after the cashier forgot to scan one item. You do not need to shop again – you just need the record to be accurate.

When the medal should unlock

Once you have installed the update and are running Tears of the Kingdom version 1.4.3, the expectation set by Nintendo’s note is that players will be able to obtain the Hinox Monster Medal. If the Black Hinox was the one thing blocking you, then the medal path should now be open in the normal way the game awards it. The key detail is that the fix targets the “undefeated” state that was incorrectly persisting, so the game should no longer treat that enemy as a missing requirement after the update is applied. If you are a completion-focused player, this is the moment where the checklist stops fighting you and starts cooperating again.

What to try if it still does not register

If you have updated and things still look off, keep it basic and methodical. First, confirm the installed version is 1.4.3, because troubleshooting without that confirmation is like trying to fix a lamp that is not plugged in. Next, fully close and reopen the game so the system is definitely running the updated build. After that, revisit the relevant progress display and see whether the undefeated state has cleared. The main point is not to spiral into wild theories or risky save manipulation. The fix is designed to correct the exact problem that prevented the medal, so a clean restart and a version check are the most sensible steps if you need a second pass.

Conclusion

Version 1.4.3 for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, released February 17, 2026, does one very important thing: it fixes the Black Hinox issue in Hyrule Castle that could keep the monster flagged as undefeated even after you beat it, preventing the Hinox Monster Medal. By downloading the update data, players can obtain the medal as intended, and that alone makes the update worth installing for anyone who cares about completion markers. Nintendo also states that additional issues were addressed to improve gameplay, even if they are not individually listed. Alongside that, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild received version 1.9.0 on the same date, adding Thai text language support for Nintendo Switch 2 under the specified system language setting, while audio remains in English. Put together, these updates are about clearing roadblocks and smoothing edges, so your time in Hyrule feels more like an adventure and less like a paperwork dispute.

FAQs
  • What is the latest Tears of the Kingdom update version and release date?
    • The latest update is version 1.4.3, released on February 17, 2026.
  • What does Tears of the Kingdom version 1.4.3 fix?
    • It fixes an issue where the Black Hinox in Hyrule Castle could appear as undefeated even after being defeated, preventing the Hinox Monster Medal.
  • Do we need to start a new save file to get the Hinox Monster Medal after the fix?
    • No. Nintendo states that by downloading the update data, players will be able to obtain the Hinox Monster Medal.
  • What is the latest Breath of the Wild update version and what changed?
    • The latest update is version 1.9.0, released on February 17, 2026, and it adds Thai text language support on Nintendo Switch 2 under the specified system language setting, with audio remaining in English.
  • How do we install these Zelda updates?
    • Use the standard system update process while connected to the internet, such as updating the software from the game icon on the HOME menu or via the game’s eShop page.
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