3DS:RTC black screen bug - Revision history

Ihaveahax: switch Luma3DS link to use Special:MyLanguage

2025-08-07T23:48:56Z

switch Luma3DS link to use Special:MyLanguage

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:48, 7 August 2025
Line 3:		Line 3:
	<translate>		<translate>
	<!--T:1-->		<!--T:1-->
	The real-time clock (RTC) black screen bug refers to an issue where the console may turn on to an extended black screen, usually right after custom firmware is set up. This is due to the console's raw RTC being reset to the current date. Formerly called "lumabug" when it was thought to be an issue with [[3DS:Luma3DS\|Luma3DS]] before the real cause was found out.		The real-time clock (RTC) black screen bug refers to an issue where the console may turn on to an extended black screen, usually right after custom firmware is set up. This is due to the console's raw RTC being reset to the current date. Formerly called "lumabug" when it was thought to be an issue with {{ml\|3DS:Luma3DS\|Luma3DS}} before the real cause was found out.

	==Technical details== <!--T:2-->		==Technical details== <!--T:2-->

Ihaveahax: add {{#translation:}}

2025-08-07T23:39:57Z

add {{#translation:}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:39, 7 August 2025
Line 51:		Line 51:
	</translate>		</translate>

	[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]		[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information{{#translation:}}]]

Ihaveahax: Marked this version for translation

2025-08-01T05:00:16Z

Marked this version for translation

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:00, 1 August 2025
Line 2:		Line 2:
	{{shortcut\|3DS:RTCBUG}}		{{shortcut\|3DS:RTCBUG}}
	<translate>		<translate>
			<!--T:1-->
	The real-time clock (RTC) black screen bug refers to an issue where the console may turn on to an extended black screen, usually right after custom firmware is set up. This is due to the console's raw RTC being reset to the current date. Formerly called "lumabug" when it was thought to be an issue with [[3DS:Luma3DS\|Luma3DS]] before the real cause was found out.		The real-time clock (RTC) black screen bug refers to an issue where the console may turn on to an extended black screen, usually right after custom firmware is set up. This is due to the console's raw RTC being reset to the current date. Formerly called "lumabug" when it was thought to be an issue with [[3DS:Luma3DS\|Luma3DS]] before the real cause was found out.

	==Technical details==		==Technical details== <!--T:2-->

			<!--T:3-->
	This issue is due to the 3DS having two clocks, as follows:		This issue is due to the 3DS having two clocks, as follows:
	*Real-time clock (RTC): The RTC is embedded into the system's hardware. It starts at 2000-01-01, and begins ticking upward when the console is powered on for the first time, after which it works even while the 3DS is powered off. This clock cannot be changed without CFW (unless the battery is removed, but that only resets it).		*Real-time clock (RTC): The RTC is embedded into the system's hardware. It starts at 2000-01-01, and begins ticking upward when the console is powered on for the first time, after which it works even while the 3DS is powered off. This clock cannot be changed without CFW (unless the battery is removed, but that only resets it).
	*HOME Menu clock: A software value, set as a constant offset from the RTC. Most applications use this to determine the time, and use the offset to determine when the time is changed.		*HOME Menu clock: A software value, set as a constant offset from the RTC. Most applications use this to determine the time, and use the offset to determine when the time is changed.

			<!--T:4-->
	During our guide's Finalizing Setup, we set the real time clock to the actual time, and set the offset to 0 - this helps homebrew apps that use the time, as they cannot access the HOME Menu clock but would be using extremely old dates if the RTC were not changed. This RTC fix has the side effect of causing the extended black screen on boot.		During our guide's Finalizing Setup, we set the real time clock to the actual time, and set the offset to 0 - this helps homebrew apps that use the time, as they cannot access the HOME Menu clock but would be using extremely old dates if the RTC were not changed. This RTC fix has the side effect of causing the extended black screen on boot.

			<!--T:5-->
	The database for Play Coins, <code>gamecoin.dat</code>, stores the date of your last earned Play Coin as an RTC date. When you earn a Play Coin for the first time after fixing the RTC, a gap of (usually) ~22 years is created when the 3DS stores the new Play Coin's date. When the system is next powered on after this, it detects the gap and starts listing every single date up to the new Play Coin's date.		The database for Play Coins, <code>gamecoin.dat</code>, stores the date of your last earned Play Coin as an RTC date. When you earn a Play Coin for the first time after fixing the RTC, a gap of (usually) ~22 years is created when the 3DS stores the new Play Coin's date. When the system is next powered on after this, it detects the gap and starts listing every single date up to the new Play Coin's date.

			<!--T:6-->
	This causes the system to need several minutes to boot.		This causes the system to need several minutes to boot.

			<!--T:7-->
	If you leave your 3DS idle for multiple years, then get a Play Coin, this same issue can happen on stock firmware. However, it will take less time to boot, as there are fewer dates to list than the full 22 years caused by an RTC fix.		If you leave your 3DS idle for multiple years, then get a Play Coin, this same issue can happen on stock firmware. However, it will take less time to boot, as there are fewer dates to list than the full 22 years caused by an RTC fix.

	==Is this my issue?==		==Is this my issue?== <!--T:8-->

			<!--T:9-->
	While experiencing this bug, you cannot boot into the HOME menu normally, but you should still be able to access the Rosalina Menu (L + D-PAD DOWN + SELECT) on the black screen, and be able to hold buttons while powering on to boot to GodMode9 (START) and the Luma3DS configuration menu (SELECT).		While experiencing this bug, you cannot boot into the HOME menu normally, but you should still be able to access the Rosalina Menu (L + D-PAD DOWN + SELECT) on the black screen, and be able to hold buttons while powering on to boot to GodMode9 (START) and the Luma3DS configuration menu (SELECT).

			<!--T:10-->
	If your issue has any of the following, it is not RTC bug:		If your issue has any of the following, it is not RTC bug:
	</translate>		</translate>
	<translate>* If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.</translate>		<translate><!--T:11--> * If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.</translate>
	<translate>* If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3DS:Black screen unbrick\|one of these related issues]]. You can skip Section II of CFW troubleshooting since we know that RTC bug is not the issue.</translate>		<translate><!--T:12--> * If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3DS:Black screen unbrick\|one of these related issues]]. You can skip Section II of CFW troubleshooting since we know that RTC bug is not the issue.</translate>
	<translate>* If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for help.</translate>		<translate><!--T:13--> * If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for help.</translate>
	<translate>		<translate>
	==Fixing the RTC bug==		==Fixing the RTC bug== <!--T:14-->

			<!--T:15-->
	If you have verified that your issue is specifically the RTC bug, the steps for fixing it are as follows:		If you have verified that your issue is specifically the RTC bug, the steps for fixing it are as follows:
	</translate>		</translate>
	<translate># Power off the console</translate>		<translate><!--T:16--> # Power off the console</translate>
	<translate># Take out any game cartridge, but leave the SD card in</translate>		<translate><!--T:17--> # Take out any game cartridge, but leave the SD card in</translate>
	<translate>#* The cartridge is unrelated to this issue, but could also cause issues with booting if it's not being read correctly</translate>		<translate><!--T:18--> #* The cartridge is unrelated to this issue, but could also cause issues with booting if it's not being read correctly</translate>
	<translate># Power on the console</translate>		<translate><!--T:19--> # Power on the console</translate>
	<translate># Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time</translate>		<translate><!--T:20--> # Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time</translate>
	<translate>		<translate>
			<!--T:21-->
	If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for more help. Mention that you have already tried the RTC bug process.		If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for more help. Mention that you have already tried the RTC bug process.
	</translate>		</translate>

	[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]		[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]

Ihaveahax: translate tags

2025-08-01T05:00:05Z

translate tags

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:00, 1 August 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
			<languages/>
	{{shortcut\|3DS:RTCBUG}}		{{shortcut\|3DS:RTCBUG}}
			<translate>
	The real-time clock (RTC) black screen bug refers to an issue where the console may turn on to an extended black screen, usually right after custom firmware is set up. This is due to the console's raw RTC being reset to the current date. Formerly called "lumabug" when it was thought to be an issue with [[3DS:Luma3DS\|Luma3DS]] before the real cause was found out.		The real-time clock (RTC) black screen bug refers to an issue where the console may turn on to an extended black screen, usually right after custom firmware is set up. This is due to the console's raw RTC being reset to the current date. Formerly called "lumabug" when it was thought to be an issue with [[3DS:Luma3DS\|Luma3DS]] before the real cause was found out.

	==Technical details==		==Technical details==

	This issue is due to the 3DS having two clocks, as follows:		This issue is due to the 3DS having two clocks, as follows:
	*Real-time clock (RTC): The RTC is embedded into the system's hardware. It starts at 2000-01-01, and begins ticking upward when the console is powered on for the first time, after which it works even while the 3DS is powered off. This clock cannot be changed without CFW (unless the battery is removed, but that only resets it).		*Real-time clock (RTC): The RTC is embedded into the system's hardware. It starts at 2000-01-01, and begins ticking upward when the console is powered on for the first time, after which it works even while the 3DS is powered off. This clock cannot be changed without CFW (unless the battery is removed, but that only resets it).
	*HOME Menu clock: A software value, set as a constant offset from the RTC. Most applications use this to determine the time, and use the offset to determine when the time is changed.		*HOME Menu clock: A software value, set as a constant offset from the RTC. Most applications use this to determine the time, and use the offset to determine when the time is changed.

	During our guide's Finalizing Setup, we set the real time clock to the actual time, and set the offset to 0 - this helps homebrew apps that use the time, as they cannot access the HOME Menu clock but would be using extremely old dates if the RTC were not changed.~~<br>~~		During our guide's Finalizing Setup, we set the real time clock to the actual time, and set the offset to 0 - this helps homebrew apps that use the time, as they cannot access the HOME Menu clock but would be using extremely old dates if the RTC were not changed. This RTC fix has the side effect of causing the extended black screen on boot.
	This RTC fix has the side effect of causing the extended black screen on boot.

	The database for Play Coins, <code>gamecoin.dat</code>, stores the date of your last earned Play Coin as an RTC date. When you earn a Play Coin for the first time after fixing the RTC, a gap of (usually) ~22 years is created when the 3DS stores the new Play Coin's date. When the system is next powered on after this, it detects the gap and starts listing every single date up to the new Play Coin's date.		The database for Play Coins, <code>gamecoin.dat</code>, stores the date of your last earned Play Coin as an RTC date. When you earn a Play Coin for the first time after fixing the RTC, a gap of (usually) ~22 years is created when the 3DS stores the new Play Coin's date. When the system is next powered on after this, it detects the gap and starts listing every single date up to the new Play Coin's date.
Line 17:		Line 19:

	==Is this my issue?==		==Is this my issue?==

	While experiencing this bug, you cannot boot into the HOME menu normally, but you should still be able to access the Rosalina Menu (L + D-PAD DOWN + SELECT) on the black screen, and be able to hold buttons while powering on to boot to GodMode9 (START) and the Luma3DS configuration menu (SELECT).		While experiencing this bug, you cannot boot into the HOME menu normally, but you should still be able to access the Rosalina Menu (L + D-PAD DOWN + SELECT) on the black screen, and be able to hold buttons while powering on to boot to GodMode9 (START) and the Luma3DS configuration menu (SELECT).

	If your issue has any of the following, it is not RTC bug:		If your issue has any of the following, it is not RTC bug:
	*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.		</translate>
	*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3DS:Black screen unbrick\|one of these related issues]]. You can skip Section II of CFW troubleshooting since we know that RTC bug is not the issue.		<translate>* If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.</translate>
	*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for help.		<translate>* If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3DS:Black screen unbrick\|one of these related issues]]. You can skip Section II of CFW troubleshooting since we know that RTC bug is not the issue.</translate>
			<translate>* If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for help.</translate>
			<translate>
			==Fixing the RTC bug==

	~~==Fixing the RTC bug==~~
	If you have verified that your issue is specifically the RTC bug, the steps for fixing it are as follows:		If you have verified that your issue is specifically the RTC bug, the steps for fixing it are as follows:
	# Power off the console		</translate>
	# Take out any game cartridge, but leave the SD card in		<translate># Power off the console</translate>
	#* The cartridge is unrelated to this issue, but could also cause issues with booting if it's not being read correctly		<translate># Take out any game cartridge, but leave the SD card in</translate>
	# Power on the console		<translate>#* The cartridge is unrelated to this issue, but could also cause issues with booting if it's not being read correctly</translate>
	# Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time		<translate># Power on the console</translate>
			<translate># Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time</translate>
			<translate>
	If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for more help. Mention that you have already tried the RTC bug process.		If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for more help. Mention that you have already tried the RTC bug process.
			</translate>

	[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]		[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]

Ihaveahax: Text replacement - "\[\[Get support\|(.*?)\]\]" to "{{ml|Get support|$1}}"

2025-07-30T17:12:27Z

Text replacement - "\[\[Get support\|(.*?)\]\]" to "{{ml|Get support|$1}}"

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:12, 30 July 2025
Line 22:		Line 22:
	*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.		*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.
	*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3DS:Black screen unbrick\|one of these related issues]]. You can skip Section II of CFW troubleshooting since we know that RTC bug is not the issue.		*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3DS:Black screen unbrick\|one of these related issues]]. You can skip Section II of CFW troubleshooting since we know that RTC bug is not the issue.
	*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask [[Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord]] for help.		*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for help.

	==Fixing the RTC bug==		==Fixing the RTC bug==
Line 31:		Line 31:
	# Power on the console		# Power on the console
	# Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time		# Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time
	If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask [[Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord]] for more help. Mention that you have already tried the RTC bug process.		If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask {{ml\|Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord}} for more help. Mention that you have already tried the RTC bug process.

	[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]		[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]

Ihaveahax: replace links to discord with Get support

2025-07-28T03:52:24Z

replace links to discord with Get support

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:52, 28 July 2025
Line 22:		Line 22:
	*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.		*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.
	*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3DS:Black screen unbrick\|one of these related issues]]. You can skip Section II of CFW troubleshooting since we know that RTC bug is not the issue.		*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3DS:Black screen unbrick\|one of these related issues]]. You can skip Section II of CFW troubleshooting since we know that RTC bug is not the issue.
	*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask [~~https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew~~ the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for help.		*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask [[Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord]] for help.

	==Fixing the RTC bug==		==Fixing the RTC bug==
Line 31:		Line 31:
	# Power on the console		# Power on the console
	# Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time		# Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time
	If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask [~~https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew~~ the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for more help. Mention that you have already tried the RTC bug process.		If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask [[Get support\|the Nintendo Homebrew Discord]] for more help. Mention that you have already tried the RTC bug process.

	[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]		[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]

Tophatted: link to BSU instead of the dead link to the less comprehensive troubleshooting on the guide

2024-11-18T04:39:13Z

link to BSU instead of the dead link to the less comprehensive troubleshooting on the guide

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:39, 18 November 2024
Line 19:		Line 19:
	While experiencing this bug, you cannot boot into the HOME menu normally, but you should still be able to access the Rosalina Menu (L + D-PAD DOWN + SELECT) on the black screen, and be able to hold buttons while powering on to boot to GodMode9 (START) and the Luma3DS configuration menu (SELECT).		While experiencing this bug, you cannot boot into the HOME menu normally, but you should still be able to access the Rosalina Menu (L + D-PAD DOWN + SELECT) on the black screen, and be able to hold buttons while powering on to boot to GodMode9 (START) and the Luma3DS configuration menu (SELECT).

	If your issue has any of the following, it is not ~~lumabug~~:		If your issue has any of the following, it is not RTC bug:
	*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.		*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.
	*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[~~3dsguide~~:~~troubleshooting#powernotification-light-indicators~~\|one of these related issues]] (the ~~"My console gets stuck on a black screen with blue power light staying on" section)~~.		*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3DS:Black screen unbrick\|one of these related issues]]. You can skip Section II of CFW troubleshooting since we know that RTC bug is not the issue.
	*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask [https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for help.		*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask [https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for help.

Line 31:		Line 31:
	# Power on the console		# Power on the console
	# Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time		# Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time
	If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask [https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for more help. Mention that you have already tried the ~~luma black screen~~ process.		If the console boots successfully in that time, the bug is now fixed and is unlikely to happen again. If the console still fails to boot to home menu, ask [https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for more help. Mention that you have already tried the RTC bug process.

	[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]		[[Category:Nintendo 3DS information]]

Tophatted: Previous link was dead. It isn't anymore. Crazy.

2023-11-22T19:25:27Z

Previous link was dead. It isn't anymore. Crazy.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:25, 22 November 2023
Line 21:		Line 21:
	If your issue has any of the following, it is not lumabug:		If your issue has any of the following, it is not lumabug:
	*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.		*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.
	*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3dsguide:troubleshooting#my-~~device~~-gets-stuck-on-a-black-screen-with~~-a-static-~~blue-light~~\|one of these related issues]]~~.		*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3dsguide:troubleshooting#powernotification-light-indicators\|one of these related issues]] (the "My console gets stuck on a black screen with blue power light staying on" section).
	*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask [https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for help.		*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask [https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for help.

Ihaveahax: {{shortcut|3DS:RTCBUG}}

2023-11-22T18:48:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:48, 22 November 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{shortcut\|3DS:RTCBUG}}
	The real-time clock (RTC) black screen bug refers to an issue where the console may turn on to an extended black screen, usually right after custom firmware is set up. This is due to the console's raw RTC being reset to the current date. Formerly called "lumabug" when it was thought to be an issue with [[3DS:Luma3DS\|Luma3DS]] before the real cause was found out.		The real-time clock (RTC) black screen bug refers to an issue where the console may turn on to an extended black screen, usually right after custom firmware is set up. This is due to the console's raw RTC being reset to the current date. Formerly called "lumabug" when it was thought to be an issue with [[3DS:Luma3DS\|Luma3DS]] before the real cause was found out.

Ihaveahax: update to refer to RTC bug instead of lumabug

2023-11-22T03:39:47Z

update to refer to RTC bug instead of lumabug

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:39, 22 November 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~Lumabug is a simplified term for~~ an issue ~~that often occurs~~ after ~~following our CFW installation guide~~. ~~Despite its name,~~ it ~~is not caused by~~ Luma3DS~~, and could occur even on a stock system~~.		The real-time clock (RTC) black screen bug refers to an issue where the console may turn on to an extended black screen, usually right after custom firmware is set up. This is due to the console's raw RTC being reset to the current date. Formerly called "lumabug" when it was thought to be an issue with [[3DS:Luma3DS\|Luma3DS]] before the real cause was found out.

	~~Instead, the reason for its name is because having Luma3DS installed makes it far easier to cause it.~~		==Technical details==

	==~~What is lumabug~~==
	This issue is due to the 3DS having two clocks, as follows:		This issue is due to the 3DS having two clocks, as follows:
	*Real-time clock (RTC): The RTC is embedded into the system's hardware. It starts at 2000-01-01, and begins ticking upward when the console is powered on for the first time, after which it works even while the 3DS is powered off. This clock cannot be changed without CFW (unless the battery is removed, but that only resets it).		*Real-time clock (RTC): The RTC is embedded into the system's hardware. It starts at 2000-01-01, and begins ticking upward when the console is powered on for the first time, after which it works even while the 3DS is powered off. This clock cannot be changed without CFW (unless the battery is removed, but that only resets it).
Line 9:		Line 7:

	During our guide's Finalizing Setup, we set the real time clock to the actual time, and set the offset to 0 - this helps homebrew apps that use the time, as they cannot access the HOME Menu clock but would be using extremely old dates if the RTC were not changed.<br>		During our guide's Finalizing Setup, we set the real time clock to the actual time, and set the offset to 0 - this helps homebrew apps that use the time, as they cannot access the HOME Menu clock but would be using extremely old dates if the RTC were not changed.<br>
	This RTC fix has the side effect of causing ~~lumabug~~.		This RTC fix has the side effect of causing the extended black screen on boot.

	The database for Play Coins, <code>gamecoin.dat</code>, stores the date of your last earned Play Coin as an RTC date. When you earn a Play Coin for the first time after fixing the RTC, a gap of (usually) ~22 years is created when the 3DS stores the new Play Coin's date. When the system is next powered on after this, it detects the gap and starts listing every single date up to the new Play Coin's date.		The database for Play Coins, <code>gamecoin.dat</code>, stores the date of your last earned Play Coin as an RTC date. When you earn a Play Coin for the first time after fixing the RTC, a gap of (usually) ~22 years is created when the 3DS stores the new Play Coin's date. When the system is next powered on after this, it detects the gap and starts listing every single date up to the new Play Coin's date.
Line 17:		Line 15:
	If you leave your 3DS idle for multiple years, then get a Play Coin, this same issue can happen on stock firmware. However, it will take less time to boot, as there are fewer dates to list than the full 22 years caused by an RTC fix.		If you leave your 3DS idle for multiple years, then get a Play Coin, this same issue can happen on stock firmware. However, it will take less time to boot, as there are fewer dates to list than the full 22 years caused by an RTC fix.

	==Is my issue ~~lumabug~~?==		==Is this my issue?==
	While experiencing this bug, you cannot boot into the HOME menu normally, but you should still be able to access the Rosalina Menu (L + D-PAD DOWN + SELECT) on the black screen, and be able to hold buttons while powering on to boot to GodMode9 (START) and the Luma3DS configuration menu (SELECT).		While experiencing this bug, you cannot boot into the HOME menu normally, but you should still be able to access the Rosalina Menu (L + D-PAD DOWN + SELECT) on the black screen, and be able to hold buttons while powering on to boot to GodMode9 (START) and the Luma3DS configuration menu (SELECT).

	If your issue has any of the following, it is not lumabug:		If your issue has any of the following, it is not lumabug:
	*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.		*If the power LED does not stay on when powering on the console, you are most likely missing <code>boot.firm</code> from the SD root.
	*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not ~~lumabug~~ but may be [[3dsguide:troubleshooting#my-device-gets-stuck-on-a-black-screen-with-a-static-blue-light\|one of these related issues]].		*If you cannot access the Rosalina menu from the black screen, this is not the RTC bug but may be [[3dsguide:troubleshooting#my-device-gets-stuck-on-a-black-screen-with-a-static-blue-light\|one of these related issues]].
	*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask [https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for help.		*If you cannot boot into GodMode9 or the Luma configuration menu, you may have missing CFW files or [[Checking SD card integrity\|issues with SD integrity]]. If not, then you likely have a serious issue that will require guided assistance and should ask [https://discord.com/invite/nintendohomebrew the Nintendo Homebrew Discord] for help.

	==Fixing ~~lumabug~~==		==Fixing the RTC bug==
	If you have verified that your issue is specifically ~~lumabug~~, the steps for fixing ~~lumabug~~ are as follows:		If you have verified that your issue is specifically the RTC bug, the steps for fixing it are as follows:
	# Power off the console		# Power off the console
	# Take out any game cartridge, but leave the SD card in		# Take out any game cartridge, but leave the SD card in
	#* The cartridge is unrelated to ~~lumabug~~, but could also cause issues with booting if it's not being read correctly		#* The cartridge is unrelated to this issue, but could also cause issues with booting if it's not being read correctly
	# Power on the console		# Power on the console
	# Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time		# Leave the console open and powered on for 10-15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time