How to connect your Nintendo DSi or Nintendo DSi XL to the Internet
Let's get you connected!
Please Note:A broadband Internet connection and wireless router are required. Follow the steps below to get connected.
- Turn on your Nintendo DSi and access the System Settings by clicking on the wrench icon.
- Scroll over to the third page, and select "Internet."
- Now choose "Connection Settings."
- Click on "None" for "Connection 1."
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(Don't see "None" for Connection 1? To ensure any existing settings don't interfere with getting connected, tap the button, then choose "Clear Settings.") |
- Click on "Search for an Access Point."
- The Nintendo DSi 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 DSi.
Click the image below that matches the lock icon you see on the screen of your Nintendo DSi.
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No security - Tap on your network name to save the settings and begin a connection test. |
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WEP security - Your wireless network is secured with WEP and requires a security key. |
| Enter your WEP key On the upper screen you will be informed that "A security key is needed to connect to this access point." Enter your security key by tapping the empty field, and select "OK" when finished. |
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| (If you don't know your Network Security Key, click here.) |
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WPA security - Your wireless network is secured with WPA and requires a security key. In order to connect through WPA, you will need to back access the "Advanced Setup" options in the connection settings. Don't know your WPA key? Just keep following these directions and we'll help you find it. |
- Important note! Online multiplayer and other features of Nintendo DS Game Cards are only compatible with WEP security, and are not compatible with WPA security. So while you can browse the DSi Shop or enjoy other online features of the Nintendo DSi with WPA security, you cannot play Nintendo DS games online if your network is secured with WPA. Click here for more info.
To reach the Advanced Setup:
- Tap the "Back" button twice to reach this screen, and select "Advanced Setup."
- Click on "None" for "Connection 4."
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(Don't see "None" for Connection 4? To ensure any existing settings don't interfere with getting connected, tap the button, then choose "Clear Settings.") |
- Select "Search for an Access Point."
- The Nintendo DSi will search for wireless networks again. After it is finished, look for your network name. The gray lock you saw before should now be gold.
| Enter your WPA key On the upper screen you will be informed that "A security key is needed to connect to this access point." Enter your security key by tapping the empty field, and select "OK" when finished. |
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| (If you don't know your Network Security Key, click here.) |
- Select "OK," "Save Settings," and then "Yes."
- Once the Nintendo DSi runs the connection test, you should see the following screen:
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As long as you see "Connection test successful," the support code does not matter and can be ignored. |
- The connection test was successful - Your Nintendo DSi 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.
- Select "OK," "Save Settings," and then "Yes."
- Once the Nintendo DSi runs the connection test, you should see the following screen:
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As long as you see "Connection test successful," the support code does not matter and can be ignored. |
- The connection test was successful - Your Nintendo DSi 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.
- Error Code 51300 or 51099: This means the security code entered into the Nintendo DSi is not the same one the router is set to. Scroll back up to step #3 of this page for the step-by-step directions. To reach your connection settings, click "back" on the error code screen. Make sure to pay extra attention to the security key you find in your router's settings and enter it exactly as it appears (the key is case sensitive).
- All other error codes: Try our error code lookup where we have detailed information on many common error codes.
- Select "OK," "Save Settings," and then "Yes."
- Once the Nintendo DSi runs the connection test, you should see the following screen:
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As long as you see "Connection test successful," the support code does not matter and can be ignored. |
- The connection test was successful - Your Nintendo DSi 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.
- Error Code 51300 or 51099: This means the security code entered into the Nintendo DSi is not the same one the router is set to. Scroll back up to step "A" of this section for the step-by-step directions. To reach your connection settings, click "back" on the error code screen. Make sure to pay extra attention to the security key you find in your router's settings and enter it exactly as it appears (the key is case sensitive).
- All other error codes: Try our error code lookup where we have detailed information on many common error codes.
