If you’re experiencing issues updating your Nintendo 3DS system, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Many 3DS owners have run into problems trying to install new system updates and game downloads. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common reasons why your 3DS may be having trouble updating and provide solutions to get your system back up and running.
Corrupted Data
One of the most common reasons for update failures on the 3DS is corrupted data. This can occur if there was an interruption while an update was downloading, or if your SD card has become damaged in some way. Corrupted data prevents the update from being able to install properly on your system.
Luckily, the solution for this is relatively simple. First, try powering your 3DS completely off by holding the power button until the system shuts down. Then, remove any game cartridge, SD card, or external storage device. Power the system back on and try downloading and installing the update again. This should reset the update data and allow it to install cleanly.
If you still receive an error about corrupted data, you may need to initialize your system memory. This will erase all save data, so be sure to backup any game files you want to keep first. But initializing the memory will wipe out any corrupted data that could be causing issues.
Connection Issues
Having a strong, stable internet connection is key for being able to successfully update your 3DS. Weak signals, intermittent connectivity, or using public Wi-Fi can all interrupt the update process and lead to errors.
Try moving your system closer to your wireless router or modem to improve your connection strength. Disconnect any other devices using the network that could be interfering. Power your router and modem off and back on again as well. This will help reset the connection and provide the 3DS with a strong, reliable signal.
If you have the option, updating over a wired internet connection is recommended, as it provides the fastest speeds and lowest chance of interruption. Make sure you are using the official Nintendo 3DS AC adapter during any update to prevent power issues as well.
Outdated Firmware
In order to install new system updates on the 3DS, you need to already have the latest firmware installed. If you are several firmware versions behind, the system may not be able to successfully update directly to the newest update.
Check what system version you currently have installed under System Settings. Then visit Nintendo’s official 3DS firmware page to determine the most up-to-date version available. If your system is significantly out of date, you may need to install several smaller updates incrementally before you can get up to the newest one.
Installing each firmware version one at a time will allow the system to gradually update itself without having to process too many changes all at once. Take your time and follow each prompt carefully as the system reboots between each update.
DNS Issues
Your 3DS needs to be able to communicate properly with Nintendo’s servers in order to download and install new updates. In some cases, incorrect DNS settings or network issues can disrupt this communication and lead to errors.
Go into your 3DS internet connection settings and make sure your DNS is set to “Auto.” This will have the system automatically acquire the proper server addresses for your network. If that doesn’t work, try manually setting your DNS to the Google public DNS addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
You can also try changing your router or modem’s DNS settings to Google’s public DNS. This will sync your entire network to use the proper name servers for 3DS connectivity. If you continue to have trouble, contact your ISP to make sure there are no DNS issues from their end.
Storage Space Errors
In order to install new updates, your 3DS needs to have sufficient storage space available. Downloadable updates like system firmware and new games can be large files that take up a lot of room.
Check your current available space under System Settings – Data Management. If your system memory or SD card is almost full, try deleting unused game data, saved replays or clearing your StreetPass/SpotPass history to free up space.
You may need to upgrade to a larger SD card if necessary to provide enough available room for new updates. The 3DS supports cards up to 32GB, but double check your model for specific compatibility. Move any data you want to keep onto a computer before performing the upgrade.
Parental Controls
Parental controls on the 3DS are great for limiting access to certain content, but they can also sometimes block system updates. If your parental controls are enabled, you may need to temporarily disable them in order to install a new firmware update.
You will need to enter your parental controls PIN in order to change any settings. Make sure to re-enable parental controls once the update finishes installing to keep limiting access to games and features.
If you don’t remember your parental controls PIN, you can perform a parental controls reset. But keep in mind this will also erase all saved configuration data. You’ll have to restrict access and reconfigure each feature again.
Region Differences
This doesn’t affect all system updates, but certain firmware or game updates may be restricted to specific 3DS regions. So if you imported a 3DS from a different region, your system may not be able to install updates meant for other countries.
Make sure any update you are trying to install is actually compatible with the region of your 3DS. The system’s region is displayed in System Settings. You may need to create an account in the proper region in order to download region-locked updates.
Updating region-changed systems can be tricky. Contact Nintendo for your region if you are having no luck getting updates to install on an imported 3DS.
Eshop Errors
If you are trying to download a system update directly through the 3DS Eshop, you may encounter errors that prevent the update from downloading properly.
Try fully exiting and restarting the Eshop to refresh the connection. Double check that you have a strong internet signal, and sufficient storage space for the update file to download. If issues persist, you may have to download the firmware update manually instead.
Visit the Nintendo support site on a computer, find the same system update version, and download it directly. Then copy the firmware update file to your 3DS SD card and install it from there. This bypasses any Eshop connection errors.
Third Party Accessories
Using certain unlicensed third party accessories on your 3DS can sometimes cause issues with system functionality, including being unable to install updates. Things like generic charging cables, memory cards, or mods may disrupt the update process.
Try removing any third party accessories and see if that allows the update to install correctly. Be sure to use only licensed Nintendo or officially partnered products with your 3DS for the best compatibility and performance.
Outdated Homebrew/Hacks
If your 3DS has been hacked or modded in any way, this can sometimes interfere with the proper operation of system updates. Any outdated or broken custom firmware or homebrew files can end up corrupting data.
It’s generally not recommended to install official firmware updates on hacked systems. You’ll want to check with the hacking community to find compatible custom firmware versions instead. Outdated hacks often prevent official updates from properly installing.
If your system is soft-bricked from a bad hack, you may need professional repair service. Be very careful about hacking or modding your 3DS if you still want to use standard features and updates.
Bad Update File
On rare occasions, the system update file itself may become corrupted or incomplete during download. This can lead to installation errors if the file is damaged.
Start by re-downloading the update completely fresh. Check it downloads fully without any interruption. Try installing from a different SD card or system memory as well. If it continues failing, you unfortunately may have a bad update file.
Contact Nintendo support in your region for assistance obtaining a clean, working copy of the firmware update. Provide any specific error codes and details so they can help identify the problem.
Conclusion
Being unable to update your Nintendo 3DS can be frustrating, but the issue typically stems from one of a handful of common problems. Corrupted data, connection problems, storage and region issues, or using unofficial accessories are usually the main culprits.
Carefully go through each potential cause outlined above. Perform resets, re-downloads, and verify your internet connection is stable. Remove any third party accessories and make sure you have enough free space. With some patience and troubleshooting, you should be able to get your 3DS back up and running with new updates.
If problems continue to persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to Nintendo’s customer support. They can dig deeper into any error logs and help resolve even the trickiest update failures that your 3DS may encounter.
| Error Message | Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Data is corrupted. The system update could not be applied. | Corrupted data files | Power cycle system, redownload update |
| An error has occurred. Unable to update system data. Please try again later. | Connection issue | Move system closer to router, check settings |
| Current version is lower than update version. Unable to apply update. | Outdated firmware | Install multiple updates incrementally |
Troubleshooting update errors requires some trial and error, but being able to pinpoint the exact cause is key. Refer to the error message for clues, and match it to the potential issue. Then follow the recommended solution, testing carefully after each step. With a little time and effort, your 3DS should be back up and running the latest firmware in no time.
Updating your system is important to gain access to new features and games, improve performance and stability, and address bugs or security flaws. Don’t give up if you encounter issues right away. There are plenty of steps you can take to get your 3DS successfully updating again. Just approach the problem methodically and keep a record of what solutions you’ve tried.
If updates are critically failing and your system is unusable, you may need to contact Nintendo to have the 3DS serviced or repaired. But in most cases, troubleshooting on your own will resolve the problem. Investigate connection settings, free up storage space, re-download files, and reset your system to factory defaults as needed.
It may require several attempts and changing up your approach. But as long as you pinpoint the underlying cause and remain diligent, you’ll get those updates installing and running smooth on your 3DS again.
Updating your Nintendo 3DS keeps your system working its best. Don’t let update errors spoil your gaming experience. Identify solutions for common issues and learn what steps to take when problems arise. With the right troubleshooting approach, any 3DS can be back up and running the latest updates in no time. Game on!