While the Nintendo 3DS is over a decade quondam, it's even so a fantastic portable games console. Unfortunately, because of the arrangement'due south age, you might find that your Nintendo 3DS is prone to software and hardware issues that are catchy to resolve.

If you're encountering issues with your Nintendo 3DS (whether information technology's the 3DS or the 3DS Twoscore), like no sound, an unresponsive bear upon screen, or it's not charging, we're here to help yous out. Hither are some common 3DS issues and how to set them.

1. The Top Screen or Touch Screen Is Dirty

Though the 3DS protects itself naturally thanks to the folding design, both screens are notwithstanding jump to get dingy. This is particularly true if yous utilize your fingers on the bear on screen. Thankfully, the screens are like shooting fish in a barrel to clean.

Grab a microfiber material and gently wipe the dirt away. For any stubborn grime, lightly dampen the material—you don't want water getting within your organisation, then ensure the cloth isn't dripping. Alternatively, employ an antibacterial wipe designed for touch screens.

playing smash bros on nintendo 3ds
Image Credit: Tinxi/Shutterstock

Do you have dirt in the edges of the touch screen, between the screen and the housing of the 3DS? If then, Nintendo recommends you lot use a new toothbrush to castor out the particles. Full information is available on Nintendo'southward support website.

If you use a screen protector, it's likely that the dirt is on that rather than the actual screen. You lot may want to consider replacing the protector or removing information technology entirely.

2. The Affect Screen Is Unresponsive

If your Nintendo 3DS touch screen is irregularly responding to input, you may need to recalibrate it. To exercise this, go to System Settings > Other Settings > Touch Screen. Here, touch the center of the circles with the stylus. You tin also launch this direct from kick by holding down the Power, L, R, and X buttons.

If y'all utilise a screen protector on the affect screen, take it off. While y'all might desire a screen protector on your phone, they are known to reduce the input sensitivity of the 3DS screen. Also, try to use the stylus when possible, rather than your finger, to ensure consistent input.

3. Game Cartridges Tin't Be Read

At that place's zippo more frustrating than your 3DS not being able to read a game cartridge. If possible, test the game on another 3DS. If information technology doesn't work there, the cartridge is at fault rather than your console. In this case, contact the retailer for a replacement.

3ds games on a shelf
Image Credit: Lutsenko_Oleksandr/Shutterstock

Also, unlike the original DS, the 3DS is region locked. This means that you lot tin can merely play games purchased in the same region as the console.

If none of your games work, your panel is faulty. According to TronicsFix, this is often because the pins in the game slot are dirty. To resolve this, place a small amount of rubbing booze on a cotton swab. Rub this onto the pins of one of your games. So, with the panel off, insert and remove the cartridge around ten times. This should hopefully make clean the pins within the console.

iv. The 3DS Doesn't Charge

If your 3DS isn't charging and you have a charging cradle, disconnect this and plug your 3DS straight into the wall via the power adapter. If this works, your charging cradle is faulty.

If you only have the power adapter and this isn't charging your console, try a replacement. Your power adapter could be broken.

Alternatively, if your console only works when plugged in or the bombardment drains rapidly (it should final around five hours on a total charge), the bombardment is faulty and needs to be replaced. You lot can either get a professional to do this or follow Nintendo'due south battery replacement guide.

5. Tin't Connect to the Internet

You lot don't need to maintain a connection to the internet to utilise your 3DS. However, it is necessary for when you want to play online, download games, browse the web, and so on. As such, information technology'due south understandably frustrating when you can't connect to the internet.

First, check Nintendo'due south operational status folio to see whether the servers are downwardly or undergoing maintenance. If they are, all you lot can do is wait.

Alternatively, the problem may lie with your internet connection; test another device like a laptop or mobile to find out. If your internet is at fault, check our guide on how to prepare an unstable Wi-Fi connection.

six. The Microphone Doesn't Piece of work

The Nintendo 3DS has a built-in microphone. Some games, like Super Mario 3D Country, make gimmicky use of it, while others utilize information technology for vocalization chat.

black nintendo 3ds

If you think your 3DS microphone is broken, y'all can test it via Arrangement Settings > Other Settings > Mic Examination. Speak and yous should see your voice registered on the screen.

If you don't, information technology's probable that your microphone is broken. A simple solution to this is to plug in headphones that include a microphone; the 3DS supports these with no additional configuration required. Check our recommendations for cheap wired earbuds.

7. The Circumvolve Pad Doesn't Respond Properly

If your circle pad isn't registering movements correctly, or detects input when there is none, you should calibrate it. To do this, become to System Settings > Other Settings > Circle Pad. Here you tin reset the neutral position of the circle pad and calibrate directional registration.

If your circle pad isn't registering any input, or this scale tool doesn't reply accurately to your movements, it's likely that you will need to get a professional repair for your 3DS.

8. No Sound From the Speakers

If you can't hear whatsoever sound from your Nintendo 3DS, check the physical volume slider is up. Yes, it sounds obvious, but information technology'south worth double-checking.

Also, remember that your 3DS won't output from its speakers when you have headphones plugged in. On that annotation, if you can hear through headphones but not through the 3DS speakers, this suggests a hardware fault with your console that will demand professional person repair.

Can't hear annihilation in a specific game? Check the game'due south settings to see if you can control volume manually there.

Nintendo Will Repair Your 3DS… For Now

Every 3DS comes with a 12-month warranty, but it'south unlikely you'll find a new 3DS available to buy present. At the time of writing, Nintendo volition still repair your 3DS if you ship information technology to its repair center, but be wary that this could change—particularly as Nintendo is winding downwardly the 3DS and no longer supporting the eShop in 2022.