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Power or Charge Issues, Including Damaged Systems and Accessories (System Won't Turn On / Doesn't Hold a Charge)

Nintendo 3DS

The information in this article can help you when:

  • The system doesn't turn on.
  • The system turns on, but then turns off.
  • The system does not remain charged, or the charge doesn't last long.
  • The AC adapter or AC adapter port looks damaged.

What to do

Ensure you are using an officially licensed AC adapter.

  1. It may be that your system is experiencing an issue coming out of sleep mode, or that its screens are not displaying correctly. These issues are sometimes mistaken for a power issue.

    In order to verify that you are experiencing a power issue, press the system's power button once and make note of the state of the Power LED.

    What is the status and color of the Power LED?

  2. A blue light indicates that the system is fully charged and is currently powered on.

    What best describes what you are experiencing?

    For assistance with a blinking blue Power LED, please see our information on Power Issues, Including Damaged Systems and Accessories (Pulsing Blue).

    A red (solid or blinking) or no LED indicates that the system needs to be charged. If you've tried charging your system and are still experiencing this issue, then the AC adapter may need to be reset.

    In order to reset your AC adapter, perform the following:

    1. Unplug the AC adapter from the system and the outlet.
    2. Wait 30 seconds.
      • While you are waiting for the AC adapter to reset, ensure that you are using a working outlet, that the AC adapter cord is free from any kinks or knots, and that the cord is not under any objects.
    3. Plug the AC adapter back into the system and outlet.
    Did the orange charge LED come on?

  3. For assistance with a system that has a solid blue light, but the screens remain blank, please see our information on Blank or Solid Color Screen and System Is On.

    For assistance with a system that has a solid blue light, but the system won't power off, please see our information on Power Won't Turn Off.

    For assistance with a system that has a solid blue light where the system powers on, but doesn't hold a charge for very long, please see our information on Power Issues, Including Damaged Systems and Accessories (Charge Does Not Last).

    For assistance with a lit orange LED, please see our information on Power Issues, Including Damaged Systems and Accessories (Orange Charge LED).

    If you own a charging cradle, we can use it to quickly verify your issue and determine which item(s) needs to be serviced.

    Do you own a charging cradle?

  4. For assistance with a charging cradle available, please see our information on Power Issues, Including Damaged Systems and Accessories (Charging Cradle Available).

    Is a second Nintendo 3DS Family system or AC adapter available? If both are available, choose whichever item is more convenient to retrieve.

  5. For assistance with a second Nintendo 3DS family system, please see our information on Power Issues, Including Damaged Systems and Accessories (Second Nintendo 3DS Family System).

    For assistance with a second AC adapter, please see our information on Power Issues, Including Damaged Systems and Accessories (Second AC Adapter).

    For assistance without a second Nintendo 3DS family system or AC adapter available, please see our information on Power Issues, Including Damaged Systems and Accessories (Second System Unavailable).

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