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What is firmware and why do you need to check it on your 3ds
All electronics have firmware, which is the code that tells the device how to work. This means that when Nintendo releases a new system update for your 3DS, there’s probably a firmware update as well. Firmware updates are important because they make it possible for you to use new features on your system and keep it secure from hackers and viruses. As a result, there are several reasons for you to download an update and check it on your 3DS, but only one of them is relevant to the rest of this document.
What firmware update is relevant to this document?
If you have a 3DS that has the ability to update via wifi (this does not include 2DS/3DS models with a firmware version of 4.5 or lower), then you will want to download the following updates:
How to check the firmware on your 3ds
Go to the HOME menu and open the SYSTEM SETTINGS app. Then tap on “OTHER SETTINGS” and then “SYSTEM UPDATE”. Now tap the button on-screen that reads: “CHECK NEW VERSION”. This will check your 3DS for an update, so then it’ll say either “NO UPDATE AVAILABLE” or “A NEW VERSION IS AVAILABLE”. If you see no new version, then you’re all set! But if you see a new version, then you can check it. If you see a new version, make sure to check it. It’ll download the update, so then it’ll install the update, and then your 3DS will turn off and then back on, so then check your 3DS if it says an update was installed successfully. And that’s how to check the firmware on your 3ds!
Thanks for reading! I hope this helped you. So end transmission…
DISCLAIMER: This article is part of a helpful series that is created by fans, for fans. This guide is not an official guide created by Nintendo, and is only for your personal, non-commercial use.
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What to do if there is a problem with your firmware
If your 3DS is asking you to update the firmware, and you want to be safe you should update. You don’t have to update if your 3DS is working fine. If you want to be 100% secure then you’ll have to update your system, it’s not worth the risk otherwise. So, if your 3DS asks you to update and there’s a problem with it doing so (for example, the system won’t load or it doesn’t work properly), then do NOT UPDATE. Instead, the next step is:
1. Remove the 3DS’s SD Card into a computer, and copy all of the files onto it (the files being the photos, videos, music, etc.).
2. Now put the SD Card back inside of your 3DS and turn it off. Then take out the battery and put it back in again. This will reset all of the settings to factory defaults, including deleting all of your save data (if you have any games that are saved on there).
3. Now, go and download the update again, and this time DO NOT UPDATE if there is a problem with it. This will mean you have to re-do all of your settings, but at least you’ll still have all of your save data.
How to update your 3ds firmware
To update your 3DS firmware, you’ll need to borrow a computer and SD card (which is an SD card reader) or an SD card. The first thing you need to do is put the SD card into the computer and open it up. This means that you have to download a program called “Win32 Disk Imager”. If you don’t have this program then go to www.win32diskimager.com/download.htm and download it. Now close down Win32 Disk Imager, put the SD card into your computer, and open the SD card in Win32 Disk Imager. Now go to “File” then “Write image”. A window will pop up where you’ll have to write the .img file on the SD card (an .img file is a file that tells what files to write on your SD card). Now click “OK”, and then wait for it to finish writing. Then you’ll have to go to “File” then “Write cart”, and click on “Yes”. If you want to check the progress of this, go to the SD card, copy the file that has long files on it. [Example: R&c’s 3DS Hacking Guide | TL;DR]
* Now you can put your 3DS back into your 3DS pocket, and boot it off of the SD card. You’ll get a screen where it will ask if you want to update. Click “Yes”.
* Your 3DS will now be updating. It’ll tell you how far it is and if there’s any errors. If there are any errors then check to see if your SD card is not damaged or something.
Tips for keeping your firmware up-to-date
The firmware updates for the 3DS are easy to download and install, with no major problems. Even so, there are some tips you should follow to make sure that you can do this safely. First of all, never turn off your 3DS while the firmware update is happening. This means that if you have a 3DS XL then make sure that you don’t turn it off while it’s downloading the update. If you want to be extra safe then use a 3DS XL, because there are reports of people having problems updating the new firmware on their normal 3DS, but not on their XL. If you have a normal 3DS and things go wrong, then you may need to either wait for a new firmware patch or turn off the 3DS and turn it back on again.
