• A Nintendo 3DS system
• An online capable game (if you wish to play multiplayer)
• A broadband Internet connection (cable, DSL, FIOS)
• A wireless access point to a broadband Internet connection. Most people will use a wireless router or a Hotspot location.

A typical online connection for a Nintendo 3DS

More about wireless routers:

Most wireless routers are likely compatible with the Nintendo 3DS and its online features. We have compiled information on dozens of wireless routers and what to look for when shopping for a router. Click here to read our wireless router information.

Related Articles:

If you aren't sure if you have a wireless router, try using the following tips to help determine if the device you have is a wireless router or not.

• Brand and model - Find the brand name and model number on the device. Once you have those, check our wireless router pages. If it's listed, then it's a wireless router!
• Antenna - Wireless routers often have some type of broadcast antenna. If the device doesn't have one, then it may be a wired router or a modem.
• Number of ports - In most cases a router will have four or more ports on the back. If the device has three or fewer ports, it is likely a modem and not a wireless router.
• Wi-Fi indicator light - Most wireless routers will have a Wi-Fi indicator light that blinks when it is broadcasting a signal.
• Search for it online - You can try searching online for the brand name and model number of your device. The search results may indicate if the device is a wireless router or not.

Getting an error message during update?
Click here for help.

Let's get you connected!

• Important Note:

  The Internet browser is available through the current system update. Click here for information about performing the system update.

A broadband Internet connection and wireless router are required. Follow the steps below to get connected.

Trying to connect online with an original Nintendo DS game? Click here!

1. Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.

   

2. Tap "Internet Settings."

   

3. Tap "Connection Settings."

   

4. Tap "New Connection."

   

5. Tap "Manual Setup."

   

6. Tap "Search for Access Point."

   

7. The Nintendo 3DS will search for any wireless networks within range. Once it is finished searching, it will display the names of all the wireless networks it finds.

   

   

   

8. Look for your wireless network. (If you're not sure which is yours, or you don't see any wireless networks, click here.)
9. What to do next will depend on the "lock" icon you see next to your network on the Nintendo 3DS. Click the image below that matches the lock icon you see on the screen of your Nintendo 3DS.

       

    

No security
10. Tap on your network name, then tap "OK" to save the settings.

    

11. Tap "OK" again to begin a connection test.

    

    

WEP / WPA Security - Your wireless network is secured with WEP or WPA and requires a security key.

Don't know your router's security key?

Let us help you find your router's security key. Select the brand of your router below and we'll provide you with the default information for that brand!

Linksys      Netgear      DLink Belkin      Apple      2Wire All other brands

Enter your WEP / WPA key

10. Use the keyboard that appears on the lower screen to enter your security key and tap "OK" when finished.

    

11. Tap "OK" to save your settings.

    

12. Tap "OK" again to begin a connection test.

    

• The connection test was successful - Your Nintendo 3DS is now connected online. Click here to find out what's next!
• The connection test was not successful - If the test was not successful, you will receive an error code. Try our error code lookup where we have detailed information on many common error codes.

   Still need help?


 

Related Articles:
Error Code Lookup


 

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To connect your Nintendo 3DS system to the Internet using a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, you'll need to do the following:

1. Install the latest version of the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector software, if you haven't already.
2. Set up a connection file on your Nintendo 3DS, and grant permission through the registration tool.

Installing the software

Latest version:1.07 (Download)

Click here for more information about how to install the software, or to view previous versions of the software.

Setting up a connection file and granting permission

A broadband Internet connection, a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista, and the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector are required. Follow the steps below to get connected.

1. Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.

   

2. Tap "Internet Settings."

   

3. Tap "Connection Settings."

   

4. Tap "New Connection."

   

5. Tap "Manual Setup."

   

6. Tap "Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector."

   

7. Plug the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector into an open USB port on your PC, then click "Next."

   

8. On your PC, click on the Registration Tool icon in the lower-right corner of the Windows task bar to open up the registration tool.

   

9. On the Nintendo 3DS system, tap "Next."

   

10. A screen will appear that says, "Setting up…"

    

11. On your PC, the Nintendo 3DS system's nickname should appear in the registration tool. Click on the nickname and select "Grant permission to connect."

    

12. A blue, standing man icon should appear in the registration tool next to the system's nickname.

    

13. That's it! You're now connected to the Internet.

If you encounter any error codes or any other problems while connecting your Nintendo 3DS to your Nintendo Wi-Fi USB connector, please call 1-800-255-3700 for assistance.

This will depend on the game. Please use the chart below to determine which type of game card you have.

• Nintendo 3DS Game Card
  Nintendo 3DS Game Cards are compatible with WPA security.
• Nintendo DS Game Card
  Nintendo DS Game Cards are not compatible with WPA security. To use the online features of these games, you will need to use WEP security or no security (more info).
• Nintendo DSi Game Card
  Nintendo DSi Game Cards are compatible with WPA security.

(NOTE: The ability to play games over the Internet depends on the software title. See the instruction manual for the software you are using for more information.)

There's no need to worry – all Nintendo 3DS online features are compatible with WPA security. The only time you'll encounter a problem connecting to WPA security with your Nintendo 3DS system would be when using the online features of a Nintendo DS game card.

Related topic: What are WEP and WPA, and where do I find it?

More Info:

What alternatives do I have to using WEP when playing my Nintendo DS games online?

If you prefer not to use WEP security, there are other options to secure your network.

• Enable MAC filtering on your network to only allow specific devices to connect. You can find the MAC address of your Nintendo 3DS from the Internet settings (more info). Please consult your router's operations manual for information on where to enter the MAC address of the Nintendo 3DS (and any other MAC addresses you'd like to add to the list of allowed devices).
• Turn your wireless router's "broadcast" setting to "off." This means your network's name will not be shown when other devices search for it; you must know it and enter it exactly into any device you wish to connect to the network. Please consult your router's operations manual for additional information.

The steps to take for manually adjusting your IP Address and DNS settings will vary depending on whether you're using a standard Nintendo 3DS connection file (for Nintendo 3DS games, features, and applications) or a Nintendo DS connection file (for playing online-capable Nintendo DS games with your Nintendo 3DS).

1. Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.

   

2. Tap "Internet Settings."

   

3. Tap "Other Information."

   

4. Tap "Confirm MAC Address." Your system's MAC Address will be displayed on the screen.

   

How do friend codes work with the Nintendo 3DS? Will I need to enter one for each game?

• For Nintendo 3DS games, you'll simply need to register your friend one time to the system hardware.
• You can choose to register your friend via local wireless or over the Internet.

What else can I do with friends online?

• If your friends have opted to allow it, you can check your friends list to see which of your friends is currently online and what they are playing.

What about Nintendo DS games played on the Nintendo 3DS?

• Nintendo DS games are not compatible with the Nintendo 3DS friend codes; however, you can continue to use your Nintendo DS friend codes when playing your game on the Nintendo 3DS.

The Internet browser is available through the current system update. Click here for information about peforming the system update.

For information about the Internet browser, click here.

To get the latest available features as well as the most current enhancements to the Nintendo 3DS system's performance, we recommend downloading the most current System Update.

(For the latest information on Nintendo 3DS System Updates, click here!)

Important! Your Nintendo 3DS must be connected to the Internet to perform these steps. (How to)

What to do:

1. Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.

   

2. Tap "Other Settings."

   

3. Tap the right arrow three times to reach page "4."

   

4. Tap "System Update."

   

5. Tap "OK."

   

6. Tap "I Accept."

   

7. Tap "OK" to begin the update.

   

   

• It may take several minutes for the System Update to download. If you feel the update has stopped downloading, you can safely turn off the Nintendo 3DS and repeat these steps to try again.

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Description:

Instructions on determining the Nintendo 3DS system's current menu version.

What to do:

• Select the System Settings icon on the HOME Menu, and tap "Open."
• The system's menu version will be displayed on the bottom right of the upper screen.

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