Old 3ds How to Patch Again
The 3DS is one of the best gaming consoles around, with a great library built up later nearly ten years in circulation. Simply the system has also run into its off-white share of technical hiccups over the years. In that location'southward zero worse than pulling out your favorite 3DS games, only to find the system doesn't work as expected, specially when you lot aren't sure how to set them.
Below, we've compiled a list of known technical bug 3DS owners have been dealing with, forth with some steps you can take to set or foreclose them. Some of these only apply to a item version of the system — the original 3DS' pattern is substantially unlike than the New 3DS Xl, for instance — while others are bug that occur across the entire 3DS family.
How to become in touch with Nintendo
| Method | Contact |
| Phone | 1-800-255-3700 |
| Client Support | Website |
| Forums | Website |
Nintendo previously had an error code lookup page on its site, simply it has been streamlined into a basic search role now. To use it, visit the support folio here and simply type in the mistake code in the search box in the top right. This will direct you to a page with an explanation of the error code you're getting. You can apply these resources for Nintendo Switch problems as well.
Your system is freezing or won't turn off
Just like mobile phones and computers, the Nintendo 3DS can occasionally lock up completely. In that state, information technology will not register the buttons you're pressing, including the power push. Luckily, there is a relatively elementary gear up for this should you have it occur.
Solution
- Hold downward the organization's power button for x seconds for a hard reset, which will close the console down. Yous can then turn information technology dorsum on as normal.
- Should y'all notice the panel starting to freeze more often, Nintendo recommends updating to the latest system software. To practice this, go to System settings so select the Other settings option. Proceed borer the correct arrow to coil through the pages until you encounter System update, respond OKor I agree to all questions, and plug in your 3DS charger to assure that the console doesn't lose bombardment power.
- If you are all the same encountering problems after updating the organisation, the problem could exist with the game you're playing. Check the eShop for whatever new updates and endeavor using the Nintendo 3DS Download Repair Tool on the game in question. Information technology can exist plant in the eShop under "history" and "redownloadable software." Follow the on-screen instructions to repair the installed software. This will not erase any saved data y'all take on the 3DS.
- But if none of these solutions work, the problem may be hardware-related. Go through Nintendo's online repair service and have them examine your 3DS and SD card.
Your system won't wake upwardly from Sleep mode
If you're finding that your 3DS won't "wake" from its Slumber mode, your issue is probable related to the unit's battery not beingness charged enough. This can occur when you open up your start-generation 3DS and the screen refuses to come back to life, or after pressing the "sleep" switch on the side of a 2DS system.
Solution
- Earlier you lot try any other troubleshooting, press the ability button on your arrangement to turn it off and on again. If the problems related to sleep mode are no longer occurring, you're all adept to go.
- If information technology won't plow back on and the light on your system is blinking red, try plugging in the charger and letting information technology charge until the orange charging low-cal goes out over again. If it isn't charging, continue to the "console isn't charging properly" section below.
Console isn't charging properly
If your battery is dying afterward a short catamenia of apply, the result could exist related to either your charger or the system itself.
Solution
- If you lot take a 3DS charging cradle, plug the cradle into an outlet and identify your 3DS in information technology. If the organisation isn't charging, Nintendo recommends sending in the panel, AC adaptor, and charging cradle to be replaced.
- If you don't have the cradle, try plugging the 3DS into your wall outlet using a different Air conditioning adaptor.
- If the console charges when using a unlike Ac adaptor, this means the previous adaptor is faulty. Buy a replacement unless your 3DS is less than a yr old, in which instance Nintendo can provide a replacement here. If you purchased the charger separately, it has a 90-day warranty. This is especially important if yous recently purchased the New Nintendo 3DS, every bit it doesn't come with a charger out of the box.
- Should your 3DS does not charge while using the second adapter, the problem is likely hardware related, and the panel should be sent in for repair.
Lines and smudges appear on your top screen
The original 3DS was a remarkable piece of hardware when information technology launched in 2011 thanks to its glasses-free 3D applied science, just its external design was also quite flawed. When you lot open the system after having it closed, you lot may find vertical lines appearing on the far-left and far-right portions of the top screen. They're particularly noticeable when the 3D issue is turned on. This is due to the bezel surrounding the bottom touch screen being slightly likewise raised, causing information technology to make contact with the top screen.
Note: 3DS models since the original were modified to prevent this problem.
Solution
- Become a screen protector as soon as possible. Though the lines left on the elevation screen are usually merely smudges caused by the oil on your hands, if yous were to crash-land or driblet the 3DS while it was closed, this could turn into a full-diddled scratch that would require a more all-encompassing repair.
- These screen protectors are quite uncomplicated to put on and usually go out a tiny corporeality of gratis space effectually the edges of both the height and bottom screen. One time you've placed both on your organisation, use the included plastic tool to move whatsoever bubbles to the edge and out of the protector.
- Yous should invest in a 3DS kit like this one that comes with a microfiber cleaning material. Go on it with your arrangement in its instance, every bit you'll withal have to wipe the vertical lines off of the protector when you're ready to play. Should your system take a tumble, however, the risk of a permanent scratch is now much lower.
Speakers are "popping" or making other undesirable noises
The 3DS' weak indicate, across virtually every model, is sound quality. The console's internal speakers are serenity, tinny, and generally a great incentive to buy a overnice pair of headphones. If you've been using them in repose environments, y'all may have also noticed a popping or crackling sound occurring.
Solution
- Nintendo'southward solution to this is less than ideal. Endeavor turning the volume up in a higher place xxx% and run across if the popping sound stops. If you tin can't play the system at a high volume, your adjacent footstep would exist to use a pair of headphones — over again, information technology's not an ideal solution, but it'll featherbed the blueprint flaw in the system itself.
- Should the popping problem occur even when you're playing the 3DS at a high volume, at that place is likely a hardware defect in your organisation that should be repaired. Use Nintendo'southward online repair service to send your organization in.
Circumvolve Pad isn't working correctly
The Circle Pad on the left side of the 3DS isn't the most resilient of components. Competitive Super Smash Bros. players can attest to its flimsiness, and it'southward capable of breaking off entirely, which would crave a more than extensive repair. Notwithstanding, if your Circle Pad isn't acting like it should be, y'all may be able to fix the problem by simply recalibrating it.
Solution
- Recalibrating your Circumvolve Pad is quite like shooting fish in a barrel. Go to Settings and and so Other on your 3DS, and coil through the menus until y'all spot Circle Pad.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, rotating and moving the Circle Pad every bit directed.
- If this doesn't solve your problem, your result is likely hardware-related. This volition require a more than all-encompassing repair, and you should contact Nintendo through its online repair service to get the ball rolling.
How to brand a new Circle Pad
Before y'all ship your 3DS in to exist repaired by Nintendo, you might want to consider repairing the system yourself. This fix may violate your system warranty, though technically information technology does non require whatever disassembly.
Solution
- Flatten out a small slice of polymer clay until it is the same size as the original Circle Pad.
- Press information technology on top of the small nub left from the original Circle Pad and ensure that it tin can however motility in all directions.
- Score the indentation that has formed on the dirt with a knife or toothpick, and then throw the dirt in your oven post-obit the packet'south instructions.
- Using a tiny amount of super gum — don't apply Gorilla Glue, as information technology tin can aggrandize and mess with the organization's internals — and place the replacement Circle Pad on your 3DS. Let your system residue in the open position for a day. You'll and then have a new Circumvolve Pad, fully functional and set for use! For a more detailed visual explanation, you can watch the full process on a 3DS Xl here.
- If this solution doesn't float your boat, you'll take to send your system in for repair.
The touch screen isn't responding
The touch screen on the 3DS is used extensively in the system's games, but it can exist quite a bit more than finicky than the screens on iOS devices or even the PlayStation Vita. This is largely due to the system using a "resistive" screen that uses force per unit area and not electric conduction to role.
Solution
- If you're using your finger to use the 3DS touch screen, attempt using a stylus instead. Its smaller bespeak volition increment the pressure level on the screen, which should cause your inputs to annals much more than clearly.
- Press harder. The 3DS screen must be pressed quite a flake harder than most gimmicky touch screens for it to register your inputs, particularly if you're "sliding" the stylus instead of tapping with it.
- If neither of these steps solves your problems, go to the organization settings and select Other settings and T ouch screen. Follow the on-screen instructions, borer the various points on the screen as they appear. Nintendo besides recommends that you cheque for stuck buttons, as this tin affect the touch screen'southward performance.
- If you have a screen protector on your bear on screen, y'all tin can too try removing it and run into if this solves the event, though we recommend getting a replacement protector as soon every bit possible.
- Should none of the above steps solve your problem, your affect screen likely has to be repaired. Follow the steps on Nintendo's online repair site to send your system in.
Your system'south swivel is loose
If you lot're using one of the original 3DS models, y'all might detect that the panel'south hinge continues to move quite a bit even subsequently it "clicks" into identify. This is in dissimilarity to the very stiff hinge seen on the original DS, and unfortunately, it isn't something that can actually be fixed.
Note: Models after the original 3DS have largely rectified this upshot.
Solution
- Unfortunately, the best solution, as inconvenient as it sounds, is to upgrade to a newer 3DS model, such as the 3DS 40 or the New Nintendo 3DS. These characteristic much tighter hinges that won't be flopping around when you play while lying on your bed or couch.
- Want to save a lilliputian money? The 2DS is too a great option. Though it doesn't feature a 3D display, it likewise doesn't characteristic a hinge at all!
Games are running poorly on your "old" 3DS
Since the introduction of the more than powerful New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo has released several games that can technically run on both systems, but practise not run well on older 3DS models. Nosotros've compiled a list of these games beneath, also as what kind of glitches y'all tin can look if you run them on an older model:
- Hyrule Warriors Legends: Older systems accept trouble with this game, causing significant frame charge per unit drops that really take the fun out of playing. We don't recommend buying it if you don't own a New 3DS.
- Code Name: Southward.T.E.A.Grand. : Enemy turns in this strategy game used to have an insanely long fourth dimension, simply a new update enables you to fast-forward them. On a New 3DS, you tin speed upwardly enemy turns up to exist three times faster. You can only fast-forrard them to be two times faster on an original 3DS.
- Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS : Some players reported slowdowns if they ran the game on an older model 3Ds. Still, others say the general performance rating ranks similarly betwixt the dissimilar devices.
- Pokémon Sun and Moon : If you're using an older 3DS, you may have some performance or lag problems in multi-Pokémon battles. But you actually may not notice much of a difference in your gameplay since the game is turn-based. Fortunately, you may not see a significant departure in your gameplay because it'due south a plough-based game. Overall, the main effect will be on your "immersion" into the game.
Solution
If you're not looking to purchase a new model, at that place's non much you can do to solve this upshot. We advise looking for a New 3DS, New 3DS XL, or New 2DS Twoscore. Sadly some of the more than contempo 3DS games just don't work or are glitchy on the original model. It's hard to say goodbye, but it's probably time to ditch your old model for the new.
Editors' Recommendations
- Everything nosotros know about Fire Keepsake Warriors: 3 Hopes
- The all-time racing games for the Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch OLED vs. Steam Deck
- Steam Deck vs. Nintendo Switch
- Everything we know about Xenoblade Chronicles three
Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/common-nintendo-3ds-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/