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Unable to Link an Existing Nintendo Network ID on Nintendo 3DS Family

Nintendo 3DS

The information in this article can help you when:

  • An existing Nintendo Network ID can't be moved or linked to a new system in the Nintendo 3DS family.
  • You're unable to log in to a Nintendo Network ID on a different console.
  • You receive the error message: "This Nintendo Network ID has already been linked to another system in the Nintendo 3DS family."
  1. What is the situation?

  2. A Nintendo Network ID can only be linked to one Nintendo 3DS family system at a time. To transfer a NNID from one system to another, follow the the System Transfer process.

    • Keep in mind that you will need to have both the system your NNID is currently linked to and the system you want to transfer your NNID to in order to perform a system transfer.
    • Verify that you are linking the Nintendo Network ID to your system correctly.
    • Verify that you are entering your Nintendo Network ID correctly. You may also find our information on locating your Nintendo Network ID helpful.
      • If your Nintendo Network ID has an underscore or hyphen, tap the shift (up arrow) key to display these characters.
    • Verify that you are entering your Nintendo Network ID password correctly. If you forgot your Nintendo Network ID password, you will need to reset it.
    • If an error message appears that says the region settings do not match, you will need to correct the system's region settings and try again. Select Back until you reach the system settings, and adjust the country.

    If your Nintendo Network ID is already linked to a different system, follow the the System Transfer process to move it to this system.

    • Keep in mind that you will need to have both the system your NNID is currently linked to and the system you want to transfer your NNID to in order to perform a system transfer.

    Each Nintendo 3DS family system can only have one Nintendo Network ID linked to it at a time. You will need to remove the existing NNID from the system before a new account can be created or linked on the system.

Additional information

A Nintendo Network ID can be created on a Wii U and then linked to a Nintendo 3DS family system, or vice versa.

  • Each Nintendo Network ID can be associated to one Wii U console and one Nintendo 3DS family system.

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