How To: Internet Connection
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the setting that you are having an issue with.
the setting that you are having an issue with.
Connecting to the Internet
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Help Playing with Friends
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Browsing the Internet
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System Updates
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What You Need to Connect Your System to the Internet
- 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:
How to Browse the Internet
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Tips for Identifying a Wireless Router
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.
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How to Connect Your Nintendo 3DS to the Internet
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!
- Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.
- Tap "Internet Settings."
- Tap "Connection Settings."
- Tap "New Connection."
- Tap "Manual Setup."
- Tap "Search for Access Point."
- 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.
- Look for your wireless network. (If you're not sure which is yours, or you don't see any wireless networks, click here.)
- 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.
- Tap on your network name, then tap "OK" to save the settings.
- Tap "OK" again to begin a connection test.
- Tap on your network name, then use the keyboard that appears on the lower screen to enter your security key and tap "OK" when finished.
(If you don't know your Network Security Key, click here.)
- Tap "OK" to save your settings.
- 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
How to connect your Nintendo 3DS to the Internet using a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector
To connect your Nintendo 3DS system to the Internet using a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, you'll need to do the following:
- Install the latest version of the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector software, if you haven't already.
- 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.
- Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.
- Tap "Internet Settings."
- Tap "Connection Settings."
- Tap "New Connection."
- Tap "Manual Setup."
- Tap "Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector."
- Plug the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector into an open USB port on your PC, then click "Next."
- 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.
- On the Nintendo 3DS system, tap "Next."
- A screen will appear that says, "Setting up…"
- 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."
- A blue, standing man icon should appear in the registration tool next to the system's nickname.
- 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.
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Nintendo 3DS and Wireless Security Compatibility
Description:
- Working with WEP and WPA security using a Nintendo 3DS.
- Information about security compatibility for connecting Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi and Nintendo 3DS games online.
Note: If you are receiving an error message "The Access Point's Security Settings Are Not Supported" please click here.
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.
Description:
Security compatibility will depend on the game you are trying to connect online with.
Applies To: Nintendo 3DS Game
Nintendo 3DS Game Cards are compatible with WPA security.
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.
Applies To: 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. *
- Any changes to your network password should be made using a PC connected to your router via an Ethernet cable. This will allow the PC to remain connected after any password settings are changed.
- After changing your network's wireless password, any wireless devices connected to the network will need to have their password settings update.If you have additional questions related to this, please refer to your computer or router manufacturer for more information.
- If you are concerned about the security of using WEP, there are other options to enhance the security of 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 (How to). 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.
- If you are playing a Nintendo DSi-enhanced Game Card on a Nintendo 3DS, it will work with WPA security. To determine if your game is a Nintendo DSi-enhanced title the product code at the bottom of the game card will begin with TWL instead of NTR.
It will not be compatible with WPA security while being played on a Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite.
If you need assistance locating your router's security information click here.
*While Nintendo provides this information for our consumers' use, it is up to each consumer to determine what security needs they have for their own networks, and to decide how best to configure their network settings to meet those needs.
Applies To: Nintendo DS Game Card
Nintendo DSi Game Cards are compatible with WPA security.
Related Articles:
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How to configure your Nintendo 3DS for Nintendo DS Software
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How to Adjust Manual Settings on Your Nintendo 3DS
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).
Select the type of connection file below:
Nintendo 3DS Connection Files
- Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.
- Tap "Internet Settings."
- Tap "Connection Settings."
- Select the connection file. If one has not already been set up, click here for instructions on setting up a new connection file.
- Tap "Change Settings."
- Tap the right arrow.
- Tap "IP Address."
- Tap "No" under "Auto-Obtain IP Address."
- Tap "Detailed Setup"
- Tap "IP Address."
- Enter the IP address you want to assign to your Nintendo 3DS (click here for assistance with what you should enter).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Tap "Subnet Mask."
- Enter the Subnet Mask (this should be the same as the one found in your PC settings - click here for assistance with finding your settings).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Tap "Gateway."
- Enter the Default Gateway (this should be the same as the one found in your PC settings - click here for assistance with finding your settings).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Tap "OK."
- Tap "Set Up"
- Tap "Detailed Setup."
- Tap "Primary DNS."
- Enter the Primary DNS (this should be the same as the one found in your PC settings - click here for assistance with finding your settings).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Tap "Secondary DNS."
- Enter the Secondary DNS (this should be the same as the one found in your PC settings - click here for assistance with finding your settings).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Tap "OK."
- Tap "Save."
- Tap "OK."
- Tap "Test" to perform a connection test.
If your connection test fails, you may need to adjust some settings on your router. Click here for general router troubleshooting steps.
Nintendo DS Connection Files
- Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.
- Tap "Internet Settings."
- Tap "Nintendo DS Connections."
- Tap "OK."
- Tap "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Settings."
- Select the connection file. If one has not already been set up, click here for instructions on setting up a new connection file.
- Tap "No" next to "Auto-Obtain IP Address."
- Tap "Edit" next to "IP Address."
- Enter the IP address you want to assign to your Nintendo 3DS (click here for assistance with what you should enter).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Tap "Edit" next to "Subnet Mask."
- Enter the Subnet Mask (this should be the same as the one found in your PC settings - click here for assistance with finding your settings).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Tap "Edit" next to "Gateway."
- Enter the Default Gateway (this should be the same as the one found in your PC settings - click here for assistance with finding your settings).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Select "Edit" next to "Primary DNS."
- Enter the Primary DNS (this should be the same as the one found in your PC settings - click here for assistance with finding your settings).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Tap "Edit" next to "Secondary DNS."
- Enter the Secondary DNS (this should be the same as the one found in your PC settings - click here for assistance with finding your settings).
- Make sure to include the '.' between each set of numbers.
- When finished, tap "OK."
- Tap "Test Connection" to perform a connection test.
- If your connection test fails, you may need to adjust some settings on your router. Click here for general router troubleshooting steps.
- Tap "Save Settings."
How to Find the MAC Address on Your Nintendo 3DS
- Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.
- Tap "Internet Settings."
- Tap "Other Information."
- Tap "Confirm MAC Address." Your system's MAC Address will be displayed on the screen.
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Help Playing with Friends
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.
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How do I browse the Internet?
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.
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How to Perform a System Update
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:
- Turn on your Nintendo 3DS and access the System Settings by tapping the wrench icon.
- Tap "Other Settings."
- Tap the right arrow three times to reach page "4."
- Tap "System Update."
- Tap "OK."
- Tap "I Accept."
- 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.
Related Articles:
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Download Hangs, Freezes, Etc.
Error Message: An Error Occurred. Unable to Update
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How to Tell the Nintendo 3DS System's Menu Version
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.
Related Articles:
System and Features UpdatesHow to Perform a System Update
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