Screen Problems

• Screen appears cracked (runny colors, blotchy screen)
• Lines on the screen
• Scratches on the upper screen
• Scratches on the lower (touch) screen
• White (or other color) dot on the screen
• Backlight doesn't turn on
• Touch Screen doesn't respond or is inaccurate when touched
• Screen is blank and the power light flashes slowly
• Lower screen looks different than the upper screen
• Cleaning the screens
• Piece of foreign material wedged between Touch Screen and system housing
• All other screen problems

 

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• Screen appears cracked (runny colors, blotchy screen)
  If runny colors or blotchy colors permanently remain on the screen, even when the Nintendo DS is OFF, then the liquid crystal display (LCD) is cracked. In this situation, your system will need to be repaired. Click here for repair information for Latin America.

 

• Lines on the screen
  If you see lines on either screen of your Nintendo DS during game play, then it is likely one or more of the components that create the image on the screen are damaged. This can occur if there has been an impact -- such as being dropped or hit -- to the Nintendo DS's screens. Click here for repair information for Latin America.
  
  Important Note: If you are seeing lines on the screen that slowly fade away after turning off the system, this is normal.

 

• Scratches on the upper screen
  Nintendo's warranty does not cover physical damage (such as a scratched screen on a handheld unit). Click here for repair information for Latin America.

 

• Scratches on the lower (touch) screen
  If the lower screen cannot be seen due to excessive scratches, you will need to have the unit repaired. Click here for repair information for Latin America.

 

• Backlight doesn't turn on
  The backlight can switch off for two reasons:
  • The settings for the system are set to have the backlight off.
  • The backlight also turns off if the alarm is set. You can tell when the alarm is set if you see numbers counting down on the screen. If this is the case, click here for information on turning off the alarm.
    
    
  If none of the steps above solve the problem, your system will need to be repaired. Click here for repair information for Latin America.

 

• Touch Screen doesn't respond or is inaccurate when touched

  • Be sure that you're using only the bottom screen of the Nintendo DS with the stylus. The upper screen is not a touch screen.
  • Use only licensed Nintendo DS styluses and screen protectors.
  • Unlicensed screen protectors can lower the sensitivity of the touch screen. If the problem you are experiencing started happening after you attached a screen protector, you may want to remove it. Please note that some screen protectors can leave behind a residue that may be difficult to clean. If you are planning on removing a screen protector that has been placed on your Nintendo DS, click here for tips on cleaning your screens.
  • If the touch screen is not responding when touched, or the accuracy of the screen is off, you may need to recalibrate the touch screen. Click here for help recalibrating the Touch Screen.
  • If recalibrating the screen didn't solve the problem (see above step), hold the Nintendo DS at an angle so that you can see where the edges of the Touch Screen meet the housing of the system. Look around the entire edge of the Touch Screen for any foreign material (such as crumbs, etc.) that may be wedged in between the Touch Screen and the housing of the DS. Foreign material in this area can cause the Touch Screen to work incorrectly. If there are any visible particles, please follow these steps for cleaning the screen.

  If the above steps do not solve the problem, your system will need to be repaired. Click here for repair information for Latin America.

 

• Screen is blank and the power light flashes slowly
  The system is in sleep mode. This will only happen when the lid is closed. When the lid is opened, the unit should turn back on. If it doesn't, the system will need to be repaired. Click here for repair options in Latin America.

 

• Lower screen looks different than the upper screen
  Due to the touch screen feature of the lower screen, an additional layer of touch-sensitive material is added. The top screen is not touch-sensitive, and can appear slightly brighter than the lower screen because it does not have this additional layer. Here are two things you can do to try and help increase the amount of light you see from the lower screen:
  • Try holding the Nintendo DS so that the lower screen is not at an angle, and you are able to look directly at it.
  • If you are playing Game Boy Advance games on the Nintendo DS, and are having difficulty seeing the game clearly on the bottom screen, you may want to change the system setting to play the Game Boy Advance game on the upper screen. Click here for more information.
  • If you are using a screen protector, make sure that it is licensed by Nintendo. Unlicensed screen protectors may affect the visibility of the screen you are using it on. For more information on screen protectors, please click here.

 

• All other Screen Problems
  If the symptom you are experiencing is not listed on this page, click here for repair information for Latin America.