What to Do If the Nintendo 3DS System Update Failed GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Gaming > Consoles & PCs
What Should I Do If My Nintendo 3DS System Update Failed?
How to deal with a 3DS update error
By Nadia Oxford Nadia Oxford Writer William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute Nadia Oxford is a former Lifewire writer with 10+ years' experience. Her articles have appeared in Pocket Games Magazine, Play Magazine, Game Pro, IGN and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 25, 2021 Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Consoles & PCs Xbox Buyer's Guide If your Nintendo 3DS system update failed to download, then you will find yourself locked out of the Nintendo eShop. Fortunately, there are several options for dealing with 3DS update errors. These instructions for fixing 3DS errors apply to all variations of the Nintendo 3DS including the 2DS. What Are System Updates
Most electronic devices need updates from time to time. Occasionally, you are prompted to perform a system update on your Nintendo 3DS or 3DS XL. These updates install performance enhancements including faster software, new applications, and options that make navigating the system menu and the Nintendo game store easier. New anti-piracy measures are usually put in place during updates as well. Chris Weeks / Getty Images How to Fix a 3DS Update Error
If a system update failure happens to your 3DS, don't panic. Here's an easy fix: Turn off your Nintendo 3DS or 3DS XL, then turn the power back on. Immediately hold down the L button, R button, A button, and Up on the D-pad. Keep holding the buttons until the system update screen boots up again. Tap OK on the update screen. Tips for When You Still Can' t Update
Before you contact Nintendo's customer service department, try a few other things to get your 3DS to complete a system update: Try again later. If the update timed out because of network interference, it might work fine if you retry. Temporarily disable your router's firewall during the update. Don't forget to re-enable it when the update is complete. Check for wireless interference. A system update requires a steady Wi-Fi signal, so a weak signal can prevent a system update from completing. Reset your internet connection. Turn off your modem and router, then turn them back on and try updating again. Contact Nintendo 3DS Customer Service
If all else fails, consult the manufacturer for help: Go to the Nintendo customer service web page. Enter "3DS system update failure" (without quotes) into the search field to bring up supporting documentation. If you don't see anything that helps, select Contact Us in the left panel. On the Contact Us page, select My Nintendo. Select Nintendo 3DS Family. Make a selection in the drop-down menu under Which best describes your issues? Select, Call, Chat or Email so that a technician can contact you. If your problem isn't listed in the drop-down menu, just pick an option. You have to choose one to pull up the Call and Email icons. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Transfer Data From a Nintendo 3DS SD Card How to Get More StreetPasses on Your Nintendo 3DS How to Perform a Hard Reset on Your Nintendo 3DS Setting Up Nintendo 3DS Parental Controls Can I Play Nintendo 3DS Games on the Wii U? How to Redeem Nintendo 3DS Codes Can I Play Nintendo DS Games on the 3DS? Are the Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL Backward Compatible? The Nintendo 3DS Is Region Locked Nintendo 3DS vs. 2DS How Much Does the Nintendo 3DS Cost? How to Disable 3D Images on the Nintendo 3DS How to Set up Wi-Fi on Your Nintendo 3DS XL How to Add a Friend Code on Your Nintendo 3DS How to Buy Games From the Nintendo 3DS eShop How to Make a Nintendo Network ID on Your Nintendo 3DS Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies