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The troubleshooting below should always be started at the first section. The troubleshooting will direct you to other sections as necessary.
The troubleshooting below should always be started at the first section. The troubleshooting will direct you to other sections as necessary.
{{info|This page assumes you have already tried [[3DS:TWLFix|TWLFix]] and both its [[3DS:TWLFix/Alternate|alternate]] and [[3DS:TWLFix/Manual|manual]] variants without success. If you have not tried any of those pages already, do them now before starting the below instructions.}}


__TOC__
__TOC__
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#** If your console doesn't boot to the Luma3DS configuration menu, you likely do not have Luma installed, and should [[3dsguide:index|install CFW before continuing]] as all but one of the fixes on this page require it
#** If your console doesn't boot to the Luma3DS configuration menu, you likely do not have Luma installed, and should [[3dsguide:index|install CFW before continuing]] as all but one of the fixes on this page require it
#*** To make sure of this, hold {{Key press|SELECT|START|X|POWER}} for seven seconds while the console is powered off, then power off again, hold {{B|HOME}}, and then press {{B|POWER}} - if the notification LED [[3DS:boot9strap#LED_Status_Codes|lit up a color]] or the [[3DS:fastboot3DS|fastboot3DS]] menu appears, then you have working CFW but something is interfering with Luma. Join the Nintendo Homebrew Discord for more advanced help
#*** To make sure of this, hold {{Key press|SELECT|START|X|POWER}} for seven seconds while the console is powered off, then power off again, hold {{B|HOME}}, and then press {{B|POWER}} - if the notification LED [[3DS:boot9strap#LED_Status_Codes|lit up a color]] or the [[3DS:fastboot3DS|fastboot3DS]] menu appears, then you have working CFW but something is interfering with Luma. Join the Nintendo Homebrew Discord for more advanced help
#*** If you do not have CFW and do not want to install it, then this guide cannot help you. You should still install CFW through [[3dsguide:index|a method on the guide]].
#*** If you do not have CFW and do not want to install it, you can still follow [[3DS:TWLFix|TWLFix]] if you can obtain homebrew access through [[3dsguide:index|a method on the guide]]


== Troubleshooting ==
== Troubleshooting ==
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# Follow [[3dsguide:restoring-updating-cfw.html|Restoring / Updating CFW]], then the "Updating GodMode9" and "Creating a NAND backup" sections on [[3DS:GodMode9/Usage]]
# Follow [[3dsguide:restoring-updating-cfw.html|Restoring / Updating CFW]], then the "Updating GodMode9" and "Creating a NAND backup" sections on [[3DS:GodMode9/Usage]]
#* Keep the NAND backup in your <code>gm9/out</code> folder if you have room, as it will be used if you need to do Section V
#* Keep the NAND backup in your <code>gm9/out</code> folder if you have room, as it will be used if you need to do Section IV
 
=== Section II - TWLFix Triad ===
 
==== Section II, Part I - Regular TWLFix ====
 
# Download {{GitHub|MechanicalDragon0687/TWLFix-CFW/releases/download/1.3.1/TWLFix-CFW.3dsx|TWLFix-CFW.3dsx}} (direct download)
# Power off your console and insert your SD card into your computer
# Copy <code>TWLFix-CFW.3dsx</code> into <code>sd:/3ds/</code>
# Reinsert your SD card into your console
# Power on your console
# Launch the '''Homebrew Launcher'''
# Launch ''TWLFix CFW Edition'' from the list of homebrew
# Press {{B|A}} to begin
# When the process is completed, press {{B|START}} to reboot
# '''''REQUIRED:''''' Update your console by opening '''System Settings''' -> '''Other Settings''', then going to the last page and selecting '''System Update'''
#* '''This step MUST be completed even if your console is already on the latest version'''
#* Updates while using B9S + Luma3DS (what you have) are safe
#* If the update gives you an error, go through [[3DS:Troubleshooting#Unable to update console|Unable to update console]]
# After the System Update, attempt to open something that uses DS mode
#* If DS mode still crashes, continue to Part II of this section
 
==== Section II, Part II - Semi-Manual TWLFix ====
 
{{warning|If you have installed any DSiWare games/apps, be aware that these will also be removed by CompleteDSiWareUninstaller. If you do not want to have to reinstall them afterward,use a tool such as [[3DS:GodMode9|GodMode9]] or [[3DS:FBI|FBI]] to make individual <code>.cia</code> backups of the apps before starting the below instructions.}}
 
# Download {{GitHub|fox8091/Complete-DSiWare-Uninstaller/releases/download/1.0.2/CompleteDSiWareUninstaller.3dsx|CompleteDSIWareUninstaller.3dsx}} (direct download)
# Power off your console and insert your SD card into your computer
# Copy <code>CompleteDSiWareUninstaller.3dsx</code> into <code>sd:/3ds/</code>
# Reinsert your SD card into your console
# Power on your console
# Launch the '''Homebrew Launcher'''
# Launch ''Complete DSiWare Uninstaller'' from the list of homebrew
# Press {{B|A}} to begin
# When the process is completed, press {{B|START}} to reboot
# '''''REQUIRED:''''' Update your console by opening '''System Settings''' -> '''Other Settings''', then going to the last page and selecting '''System Update'''
#* '''This step MUST be completed even if your console is already on the latest version'''
#* Updates while using B9S + Luma3DS (what you have) are safe
#* If the update gives you an error, go through [[3DS:Troubleshooting#Unable to update console|Unable to update console]]
# After the System Update, attempt to open something that uses DS mode
#* If DS mode still crashes, continue to Part III of this section
#* If it does ''not'' crash and the issue is fixed, you may reinstall any <code>.cia</code> backups of user apps you made earlier now
#** If reinstalling these backups causes DS mode to start crashing again, the apps in question are corrupt. Redo this section and delete the <code>.cia</code>s


==== Section II, Part III - Manual TWLFix ====
=== Section II - Bizarre Edge Cases ===
   
# Power off your console and insert your SD card into your computer
# Install a torrent client such as [https://www.qbittorrent.org/download qBitTorrent] or [https://deluge-torrent.org/download/ Deluge] if you do not already have one
# Using your torrent client, download the four following <code>.cia</code> files from their magnet links:
#* {{Magnet|link=magnet:?xt=urn:btih:4A106681407FEDE5DE95CC8BDA635432481F6B5D|text=TWL Version Data}}
#*  {{Magnet|link=magnet:?xt=urn:btih:2B9DF8496922F2546DFB0B01220068CE53C19D3D|text=DS Internet}}
#*  {{Magnet|link=magnet:?xt=urn:btih:B581D3C5D98F5E621FDDFC1CE5704BB45BF05A8C|text=DS Download Play}}
#*  {{Magnet|link=magnet:?xt=urn:btih:7B90D506AD032A581A00035616EAA17A68C48EFF|text=Nintendo DS Cart Whitelist}}
# Depending on whether your 3DS is a new model or an old, download '''one''' of these two <code>.cia</code> files from its magnet link:
#*  {{Magnet|link=magnet:?xt=urn:btih:EAB8558C97B18B1F329A2BFCC3C899B84C082A27|text=New 3DS TWL_FIRM}}
#*  {{Magnet|link=magnet:?xt=urn:btih:17511EADB6E6F3FF22D04F90644E37BD2D96CA43|text=Old 3DS TWL_FIRM}}
#* If you are not sure of your console's model, check how many shoulder buttons it has - a new model has four of them ({{B|L|ZL|ZR|R}}), and an old model only has two {{B|L|R}}
# Move any files currently inside the folder <code>sd:/cias</code> onto your PC (make it if it doesn't exist), then copy the five downloaded <code>.cia</code>s into that folder
# Reinsert your SD card into your console
# Power on your console
# Open FBI and go into the '''Titles''' section
# Wait for all titles to load, and then go to the bottom where titles colored in purple text appear
# Press {{B|A}} and select <code>Delete title and ticket</code> on the following titles:
#* <code>0004800F484E4C41</code> (TWL Version Data)
#* <code>0004800F484E4841</code> (Nintendo DS Cart Whitelist)
#* <code>DS Download Play</code>
#* <code>Nintendo DSi™</code>
#* New 3DS only: <code>0004013820000102</code> (New3DS TWL_FIRM)
#* Old 3DS only: <code>0004013800000102</code> (TWL_FIRM)
# Go back out of '''Titles''', go into '''SDCARD''', and navigate into the <code>cias</code> folder
# Choose the <code><nowiki><current directory></nowiki></code> option and then <code>Install all cias</code> (do '''not''' select <code>Install and delete all cias</code>)
#* If any of the titles give an error during installation, skip them and attempt to install them individually. If they still give an error, ask for help and state the error code
# Go back out of '''SDCARD''' and go into '''Titles''' again
# Wait for all titles to load, and then go to the bottom. Ensure all of the titles you deleted in Step 10 are now present. If they are not, restart again from Step 10
# Exit FBI, then power off your console and power on again
# Attempt to open something that uses DS mode
# If DS mode still crashes, continue to Section III
 
=== Section III - Bizarre Edge Cases ===


# Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
# Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
# Open the file <code>sd:/luma/config.ini</code> in a text editor
# Open the file <code>sd:/luma/config.ini</code> in a text editor
# Scroll down until you find the variables <code>disable_arm11_exception_handlers</code> and <code>enable_dsi_external_filter</code>
# Scroll down until you find the variable <code>disable_arm11_exception_handlers</code>
#* These variables should both be set to 0; if either of them are not, set them to 0 now
#* This variable should be set to 0; if it is not, set it to 0 now
# Exit the text editor, remove the SD card, and reinsert the SD card into your console
# Exit the text editor, remove the SD card, and reinsert the SD card into your console
# Power on your console
# Power on your console
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#* If either camera causes an error or does not produce any output, your camera is likely bricked - this is known to cause DS mode issues. Disconnect the camera's cable ribbon and/or replace the camera entirely to fix this
#* If either camera causes an error or does not produce any output, your camera is likely bricked - this is known to cause DS mode issues. Disconnect the camera's cable ribbon and/or replace the camera entirely to fix this
# Power off the console, then power on again while holding {{B|SELECT}} to access the [[3DS:Luma3DS/Configuration|Luma3DS configuration menu]]
# Power off the console, then power on again while holding {{B|SELECT}} to access the [[3DS:Luma3DS/Configuration|Luma3DS configuration menu]]
# If either of the following settings are enabled, disable them:
# If any of the following settings are enabled, disable them:
#* <code>Enable loading external FIRMs and modules</code>
#* <code>Enable loading external FIRMs and modules</code>
#* <code>Enable game patching</code>
#* <code>Enable game patching</code>
#* <code>Enable custom upscaling filters for DSi</code>
#* <code>Allow Left+Right / Up+Down combos for DSi</code>
# Either press {{B|START}} or select <code>Save and exit</code>, then attempt to open something that uses DS mode
# Either press {{B|START}} or select <code>Save and exit</code>, then attempt to open something that uses DS mode
#* If this works, look for and delete faulty patches in <code>sd:/luma/sysmodules</code>, <code>sd:/luma/titles</code>, and <code>sd:/luma/twl_upscaling_filter.bin</code> before turning any of their respective settings back on
#* If this works, look for and delete faulty patches in <code>sd:/luma/sysmodules</code>, <code>sd:/luma/titles</code>, and <code>sd:/luma/twl_upscaling_filter.bin</code> before turning any of the above settings back on
# If DS mode still crashes and the camera works, continue to Section IV
#* If DS mode still crashes and the camera works, continue to Section III
#* If the camera does not work, then this is a hardware issue, and this guide will not fix broken hardware.<br>Instead, try disconnecting the camera from the motherboard, then obtain a replacement camera if that does not help


=== Section IV - NVRAM Analysis ===
=== Section III - NVRAM Analysis ===


==== Section IV, Part I - Corruption Check ====
==== Section III, Part I - Corruption Check ====


# Open '''System Settings''' -> '''Other Settings''' -> '''Profile''' -> '''Nintendo DS Profile'''
# Open '''System Settings''' -> '''Other Settings''' -> '''Profile''' -> '''Nintendo DS Profile'''
#* If this crashes, continue to Part II of this section
#* If this crashes, continue to Part II of this section
#* If this does not crash, skip to Section V
#* If this does not crash, skip to Section IV


==== Section IV, Part II - ctrcheck ====
==== Section III, Part II - Restoration ====


# Follow the instructions on [[3DS:ctrcheck|the ctrcheck page]]
# Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
# If you did not get <code>Critical: NVRAM is inaccessible</code>, then reboot after trying all other applicable fixes and continue to Part III of this section
# Download both {{GitHub|zoogie/Stuff/raw/master/3DS_NVRAMtool/3DS_NVRAMtool.3dsx|NVRAMtool.3dsx}} and [https://i.n7.pm/nvram nvram.bin]
# Place both of these files in <code>sd:/3ds</code>
# Reinsert the SD card into your console
# Power on your console
# Open the '''Homebrew Launcher''', then open ''3DS_NRAMtool''
# Once the app loads, press {{B|B}}, wait one second, and then press {{B|X}}
# Press {{B|START}}, then exit out of the '''Homebrew Launcher'''
# Reboot your console and then attempt to open the '''Nintendo DS Profile''' again
#* If the DS Profile still crashes, continue to Part III of this section
#* If the DS Profile does not crash, attempt to open something that uses DS mode (the DS Profile only uses NVRAM, not DS mode)
#** If DS mode still crashes, skip to Section IV


==== Section III, Part III - Restoration ====
==== Section III, Part III - ctrcheck ====
 
# Follow the instructions on [[3DS:NVRAM|the Fix NVRAM page]]
#* If the DS Profile does not crash after this, attempt to open something that uses DS mode (the DS Profile only uses NVRAM, not DS mode)
#** If DS mode still crashes, continue to Section V


# Follow the instructions on [[3DS:Ctrcheck|the ctrcheck page]]
# If you did not get <code>Critical: NVRAM is inaccessible</code>, then reboot after trying all other applicable fixes
# Attempt to open something that uses DS mode
#* If this still crashes, continue to Section IV


=== Section V - TinyFormat ===
=== Section IV - TinyFormat ===


# Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
# Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
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# Go into the '''Homebrew Launcher''', then open <code>TinyFormat.3dsx</code>
# Go into the '''Homebrew Launcher''', then open <code>TinyFormat.3dsx</code>
# Press {{B|Y}} to start the format
# Press {{B|Y}} to start the format
# Your console will eventually load to initial setup - this is intended, and does not mean data has been lost
# your console will eventually load to initial setup - this is intended
# Go through initial setup until you reach the HOME Menu
# Go through initial setup until you reach the HOME Menu
#* If you cannot complete initial setup for some reason, you may be able to bypass it using {{GitHub|zoogie/2DSaver|2DSaver}}
#* If you cannot complete initial setup for some reason, you may be able to bypass it using {{GitHub|zoogie/2DSaver|2DSaver}}
# Attempt to open something that uses DS mode
# Attempt to open something that uses DS mode
#* If this still crashes, [[3DS:GodMode9/Usage#Restoring a NAND backup|restore your NAND backup]] and then continue to Section VI
#* If this still crashes, [[3DS:GodMode9/Usage#Restoring a NAND backup|restore your NAND backup]] and then continue to Section V
 
=== Section VI - 3ds_hw_test ===


=== Section V - 3ds_hw_test ===
# Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
# Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
# Download {{GitHub|aspargas2/3ds_hw_test/releases|3ds_hw_test}} (the <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> file)
# Download [[Media:3ds_hw_test.zip|3ds_hw_test.zip]] and extract <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> from it
# Place this file in <code>sd:/luma/payloads</code> on the SD card
# Place this file in <code>sd:/luma/payloads</code> on the SD card
# Reinsert the SD card into your console
# Reinsert the SD card into your console
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# The test will take up to 45 minutes - when it's done, press any button to turn it off  
# The test will take up to 45 minutes - when it's done, press any button to turn it off  
# The file <code>HWTEST.LOG</code> will have been created on the SD root - open this file in a text editor
# The file <code>HWTEST.LOG</code> will have been created on the SD root - open this file in a text editor
#* '''GodMode9''' will work for this, if you do not have a PC with an SD slot available
#* '''GodMode9''' will work for this
# Scroll down to the end and look at the number of errors
# Scroll down to the end and look at the number of errors
#* If this number is more than 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to replace the motherboard
#* If this number is more than 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to replace the motherboard
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[[Category:Unbricking]]
[[Category:Unbricking]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS troubleshooting]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS guides]]

Revision as of 17:14, 18 March 2024

Shortcut

The DS mode firmware used for backwards compatibility in a 3DS console can be made unusuable by several different things. This page lists the full usual set of troubleshooting steps to fix this issue.

The troubleshooting below should always be started at the first section. The troubleshooting will direct you to other sections as necessary.

Info icon This page assumes you have already tried TWLFix and both its alternate and manual variants without success. If you have not tried any of those pages already, do them now before starting the below instructions.

CFW Check

First, we will make sure your console has working CFW. This will help as it allows access to several useful homebrew tools, including GodMode9.

  1. Power on your console while holding the SELECT button
    • If your console boots to the Luma3DS configuration menu, press START to save, then continue
    • If your console doesn't boot to the Luma3DS configuration menu, do the same without the SD card inserted
      • If your console does boot to the Luma3DS configuration menu, your SD card wasn't inserted correctly, re-insert it and try again
      • If your console doesn't boot to the Luma3DS configuration menu, you likely do not have Luma installed, and should install CFW before continuing as all but one of the fixes on this page require it
        • To make sure of this, hold SELECT+START+X+POWER for seven seconds while the console is powered off, then power off again, hold HOME, and then press POWER - if the notification LED lit up a color or the fastboot3DS menu appears, then you have working CFW but something is interfering with Luma. Join the Nintendo Homebrew Discord for more advanced help
        • If you do not have CFW and do not want to install it, you can still follow TWLFix if you can obtain homebrew access through a method on the guide

Troubleshooting

Section I - Prep Work

  1. Follow Restoring / Updating CFW, then the "Updating GodMode9" and "Creating a NAND backup" sections on 3DS:GodMode9/Usage
    • Keep the NAND backup in your gm9/out folder if you have room, as it will be used if you need to do Section IV

Section II - Bizarre Edge Cases

  1. Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
  2. Open the file sd:/luma/config.ini in a text editor
  3. Scroll down until you find the variable disable_arm11_exception_handlers
    • This variable should be set to 0; if it is not, set it to 0 now
  4. Exit the text editor, remove the SD card, and reinsert the SD card into your console
  5. Power on your console
  6. Open FBI, then go into Remote Install -> Scan QR code
  7. Check whether the camera works, then press X and similarly check the other camera
    • If either camera causes an error or does not produce any output, your camera is likely bricked - this is known to cause DS mode issues. Disconnect the camera's cable ribbon and/or replace the camera entirely to fix this
  8. Power off the console, then power on again while holding SELECT to access the Luma3DS configuration menu
  9. If any of the following settings are enabled, disable them:
    • Enable loading external FIRMs and modules
    • Enable game patching
    • Enable custom upscaling filters for DSi
    • Allow Left+Right / Up+Down combos for DSi
  10. Either press START or select Save and exit, then attempt to open something that uses DS mode
    • If this works, look for and delete faulty patches in sd:/luma/sysmodules, sd:/luma/titles, and sd:/luma/twl_upscaling_filter.bin before turning any of the above settings back on
    • If DS mode still crashes and the camera works, continue to Section III

Section III - NVRAM Analysis

Section III, Part I - Corruption Check

  1. Open System Settings -> Other Settings -> Profile -> Nintendo DS Profile
    • If this crashes, continue to Part II of this section
    • If this does not crash, skip to Section IV

Section III, Part II - Restoration

  1. Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
  2. Download both NVRAMtool.3dsx and nvram.bin
  3. Place both of these files in sd:/3ds
  4. Reinsert the SD card into your console
  5. Power on your console
  6. Open the Homebrew Launcher, then open 3DS_NRAMtool
  7. Once the app loads, press B, wait one second, and then press X
  8. Press START, then exit out of the Homebrew Launcher
  9. Reboot your console and then attempt to open the Nintendo DS Profile again
    • If the DS Profile still crashes, continue to Part III of this section
    • If the DS Profile does not crash, attempt to open something that uses DS mode (the DS Profile only uses NVRAM, not DS mode)
      • If DS mode still crashes, skip to Section IV

Section III, Part III - ctrcheck

  1. Follow the instructions on the ctrcheck page
  2. If you did not get Critical: NVRAM is inaccessible, then reboot after trying all other applicable fixes
  3. Attempt to open something that uses DS mode
    • If this still crashes, continue to Section IV

Section IV - TinyFormat

  1. Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
  2. If your NAND backup from Section I is not already on your SD card, copy it to gm9/out now
  3. Download TinyFormat (the .zip that is not the source code) and extract it
  4. Copy TinyFormat.3dsx from 3ds/TinyFormat inside the zip, and paste it into sd:/3ds
  5. Reinsert the SD card into your console
  6. Power on your console
  7. Go into the Homebrew Launcher, then open TinyFormat.3dsx
  8. Press Y to start the format
  9. your console will eventually load to initial setup - this is intended
  10. Go through initial setup until you reach the HOME Menu
    • If you cannot complete initial setup for some reason, you may be able to bypass it using 2DSaver
  11. Attempt to open something that uses DS mode

Section V - 3ds_hw_test

  1. Power off your console and insert the SD card into your computer
  2. Download 3ds_hw_test.zip and extract 3ds_hw_test.firm from it
  3. Place this file in sd:/luma/payloads on the SD card
  4. Reinsert the SD card into your console
  5. Hold START, and while holding START power on the console
  6. Select 3ds_hw_test
  7. Press any button to start the test
  8. The test will take up to 45 minutes - when it's done, press any button to turn it off
  9. The file HWTEST.LOG will have been created on the SD root - open this file in a text editor
    • GodMode9 will work for this
  10. Scroll down to the end and look at the number of errors
    • If this number is more than 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to replace the motherboard

If the above number of errors is zero, you have now exhausted all of the conventional fixes. Go to the Nintendo Homebrew Discord, ask for help, and mention that you've tried this page already.

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