News: Black Screen Error Plaguing 3DS' Page 1

Black Screen Error Plaguing 3DS'

28.03.2011

Over the weekend, a number of 3DS owners have been experiencing a black error screen on their systems. The error prompts a notification to come on the screen that says: "An error has occurred. Hold down the POWER button to turn off the power, then turn it on and try again. If the problem persists, please contact your local customer support centre.

The error has reportedly been seen during various games and reoccurred more than once for some people. Super Monkey Ball 3D, Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Pilotwings Resort, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars, Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, Rayman 3D and the Mii Maker have all been mentioned in connection with the error.

It has already gained the name of "black screen of death" - though no systems have completely died yet.

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Some 3DS owners have found a fix for the issue by using the reset prompt that comes up on the screen, whilst others have reformatted their SD cards to FAT-32 format, which has eliminated the problem. Others have had no such luck and have sent their systems back to the retailer they bought it from to have it replaced.

Update - Nintendo UK has responded regarding this matter, encouraging gamers to ensure they have downloaded the latest firmware update for their 3DS systems.

If anyone is experiencing any problems with their Nintendo 3DS console, we recommend that in the first instance they download and install the latest system update, now available online. If the problems still persist we recommend they contact their local Nintendo Customer Service centre to investigate the problem further.

Did updating your 3DS resolve any issues?

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SirLink 28.03.2011#1

I've seen a report on Nintendo3DSblog.com that it could have something to do with people not having setup their wireless correctly and having the wireless switch on which means that the 3DS is always trying to get an internet connection going which could make them bug out. The same person also said that he had 2 customers with just the same problem on their DSi XL just a day ago and it turned out to be their WiFi. Smilie

Has anybody seen that happening when they had wireless off?

There were also some people on the NintendoLife forums who said that they started to get those problems after they've updated their 3DS to the new firmware, but those who haven't because of no internet connection are still fine.

( Edited 28.03.2011 10:31 by SirLink )

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Marzeee 28.03.2011#2

I've yet to experience this problem, fortunately.

Canyarion 28.03.2011#3

"there systems" --> "their* systems"

Marzeee 28.03.2011#4

It has been fixed. In the future can you please PM me if you see a grammatical error in my news posts and explain more clearly. "there systems" --> "their* systems" means nothing to me.

Could we please take this back on topic.

Thanks.

PMD 28.03.2011#5

Well, at least this can be fixed with a firmware update, if it becomes a problem.

Lrrr 28.03.2011#6

PMD said:
Well, at least this can be fixed with a firmware update, if it becomes a problem.

To quote from ONM forums:

Just got off the phone with them. 3DS systems affected by this problem are faulty and have to be sent to Nintendo before they will send you a replacement which will take 1 1/2 - 2 weeks.

My replacement has been dispatched by Amazon. It just seems to get more persistant. And I've been playing with WiFi off

( Edited 28.03.2011 15:39 by Lrrr )

WP-Final 28.03.2011#7

I've just ordered a replacement from Amazon. At least it's a problem that showed itself sooner rather than later. I just hope the replacement isn't defective too. Smilie

Stulaw 28.03.2011#8

That's peculiar, makes me a bit happier I didn't get a 3DS at launch now, although I usually don't have problems with my consoles anyway. It reminds me of when on occasion, my GameCube would tell me it couldn't read the disc, and then it would be fine after.

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Lrrr 28.03.2011#9

Ifrit XXII said:
I've just ordered a replacement from Amazon. At least it's a problem that showed itself sooner rather than later. I just hope the replacement isn't defective too.

Did you have a really hard time telling them to send you a new one? They kept telling me it was Nintendos problem.

I still took a picture of the error, and noted down what I was doing at the time of each error (although this changed every time)

EdEN 28.03.2011#10

It's good that I'm waiting a while before buying the 3DS. Hope they get this fixed soon so people can enjoy their new purchase!

RudyC3 28.03.2011#11

Looks like the disc reading error on some GameCubes, which occured with mine several times at some point, and then never again after, even though I did nothing to repair the console.

Weird... My guess is it's a software issue and not hardware, because if it's so redundant and this wasn't spotted during the testing within Nintendo, then it surely is an issue with what has changed inside the console since that time. And the only thing that comes to mind is the firmware.

Lrrr said:
To quote from ONM forums:
Just got off the phone with them. 3DS systems affected by this problem are faulty and have to be sent to Nintendo before they will send you a replacement which will take 1 1/2 - 2 weeks

Sorry, hadn't seen that. Well that's unfortunate. At least I'm happy I won't be able to buy one right away. That way, most if not all the faulty ones will have been sold out, and I'll be getting one from the new batch which was corrected by Nintendo Smilie

(which I guess they have if they offer console replacements)

EDIT :

Just read on French website Nintendo-master that Nintendo communicated that a software update is enough to fix the problem

( Edited 28.03.2011 18:41 by Kafei2006 )

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Lrrr 28.03.2011#12

Nintendo have told Eurogamer:

"If anyone is experiencing any problems with their Nintendo 3DS console, we recommend that in the first instance they download and install the latest system update, now available online," read a Nintendo statement handed to Eurogamer.
"If the problems still persist we recommend they contact their local Nintendo Customer Service centre to investigate the problem further."

Highlights from the response to Email I sent:

We apologise that you appear to be having a problem with your new Nintendo 3DS Console. From what I understand, during gameplay your console will stop functioning and display an error message.
From your description, it would appear that your console has a hardware defect.
The only option I am able to offer you is to send in your defective unit for us to examine and repair. If a repair is not possible, you would instead be offered a replacement console.
Since the unit is new, you may wish instead to take up this matter with the original retailer, who would be obliged by law to offer you replacement.

I wish Nintendo wouldn't send out conflicting information.

also, I'm pretty sure Nintendo would have to offer the fixed batch to all early adopters who are victims of this error

( Edited 28.03.2011 19:22 by Lrrr )

Uroboros Locke 28.03.2011#13

i just got back from tescos with my new one
the manager said that her son had the same problem
so she gave me one lets hope that it works

RudyC3 28.03.2011#14

Thanks for your input Lrrr, that's precious information Smilie .

More reason why I want to buy my Nintendo DS in a store directly and NOT online.

Uroboros Locke said:
she gave me one lets hope that it works

If it's from the same manufaturing batch as the first one, you're likely to get the same problem if it indeed is a hardware problem.

EDIT : That being said, I got a Wii on release day, and didn't have any of the problems that some Wii owners got, namely with dual-layered DVDs. I did get a few read problems with those discs long after SSBB was released (when I got my second dual-layer DVD release, which was Metroid Prime Trilogy), but nothing that a Wii lens cleaning kit couldn't solve.

My point is, you might be lucky and don't get any problem at all with a console from the same batch.

( Edited 28.03.2011 19:53 by Kafei2006 )

Cubed3 Limited Staff :: Review and Feature Writer

Lrrr 28.03.2011#15

Kafei2006 said:
If it's from the same manufaturing batch as the first one, you're likely to get the same problem if it indeed is a hardware problem.

The thing is, not everyone seems to be getting affected by the issue, which is making it hard to pinpoint exactly what is wrong

WP-Final 28.03.2011#16

Lrrr said:
Did you have a really hard time telling them to send you a new one? They kept telling me it was Nintendos problem.

Nope. I just used the return option and they've sent a message apologising and saying that they'll send a replacement right away. Maybe the number of people getting replacements has increased so they're more aware now?

Whether or not Nintendo can fix it over Wifi, I think I'd still feel better getting a new one. I hate having to force a shut down on devices. I always feel like it's damaging them. Smilie

Lrrr 28.03.2011#17

Ifrit XXII said:
Nope. I just used the return option and they've sent a message apologising and saying that they'll send a replacement right away. Maybe the number of people getting replacements has increased so they're more aware now?

Ah, they phoned me and were asking what the issue was. Took 20 minutes to finally sort out

Mines not dispatched, so it's not likely it'll be here tomorrow.

Edit: Dispatched through CityLink. Should be here tomorrow! Can't fault them for the quick turnaround

( Edited 28.03.2011 21:10 by Lrrr )

LKR000 28.03.2011#18

I haven't had this problem and hopefully won't but I have encountered something weird. Sometimes when I start up my 3ds it's a black screen on both screens but you can still move through the icons and hear the sounds. After a few seconds the screens go back to normal and you can see the menu. It's probably nothing but I was wondering if anyone else came across this.

( Edited 28.03.2011 21:27 by LKR000 )

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Uroboros Locke 28.03.2011#19

LKR000 said:
I haven't had this problem and hopefully won't but I have encountered something weird. Sometimes when I start up my 3ds it's a black screen on both screens but you can still move through the icons and hear the sounds. After a few seconds the screens go back to normal and you can see the menu. It's probably nothing but I was wondering if anyone else came across this.

on my first unit it did that sometimes but that was before the black screen issue