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unfortunately, a lot of the information on here will be outdated. the most up to date and accurate information can be found at the wiki and the guide.
the information here will continue to be served for a) backup/redundancy and b) archival.

eip's Troubleshooting Bible

This page is intended to collect, collate and maintain a list of solutions to common problems.
This list is not exhaustive, and will likely be added to on a semi regular basis.
Parts of this page written and created in collaboration with crc gang.
See also: CFW install issues
See also: SD card issues

Please read carefully and ensure you understand the instructions. Any processes marked [ADVANCED] should be performed only under guidance.

Some of the processes on this page are potentially destructive. Use caution and common sense.
If you need help or do not understand anything, ask us for help: Nintendo Homebrew

There are four processes below. Follow them starting from the top. If any one fixes your issue, there is no need to proceed to the next one.

  • The Luma Black Screen Bug
    1. Power off the console.
    2. Remove any game cartridge, if one is inserted. Leave the SD card in.
    3. Power on the console.
    4. Leave the console powered on, and open, for 15 minutes. Do not touch the console during this time.
    5. If the console still did not boot, see the next item.
  • Deleting Home Menu extdata
    1. Navigate to the following folder on your SD card:
      sd:/Nintendo 3DS/(32 Character ID)/(32 Character ID)/extdata/00000000
    2. Delete the folder relevant to your region.
      USA: 0000008f
      EUR: 00000098
      JPN: 00000082
      KOR: 000000A9
    3. Try booting again. If the console still did not boot, see the next item.
  • Deleting Home Menu theme data
    1. Navigate to the following folder on your SD card:
      sd:/Nintendo 3DS/(32 Character ID)/(32 Character ID)/extdata/00000000
    2. Delete the folder relevant to your region.
      USA: 000002cd
      EUR: 000002ce
      JPN: 000002cc
    3. Try booting again. If the console still did not boot, see the next item.
  • CTRTransfer
    1. See the 3ds.hacks.guide page here.
    2. Try booting the console again. If this still did not fix your issue, see Manual CTRTransfer in the next cell below this one.

This is an advanced process which should only be used after all other options have been exhausted.
Do not attempt this process by yourself. Ask us for help: Nintendo Homebrew

  1. Power off the console and remove the SD card. Connect it to your computer.
  2. Go to this page and download the CTRTransfer image for your device type and region. You will need a torrent client.
  3. If you do not already have GodMode9 on your SD card, take the time to get it now.
  4. Once the CTRTransfer image is downloaded, place the CTRTransfer .bin and .bin.sha files in sd:/gm9/out
  5. Right click on this link and select "Save As", "Save Target As", "Save Link As" or similar. It should give you a file called "manual_transfer.gm9".
  6. Locate this file on your computer, then copy it to your SD card root directory.
  7. Put your SD card back in your console.
  8. Power the console on while holding START.
  9. You should boot into GodMode9. Once you do, locate
    [S:] SYSNAND VIRTUAL
    and select it with A.
  10. Locate
    essential.exefs
    . Select it with A, then select
    Copy to 0:/gm9/out
  11. Once this is done, go back to the GodMode9 main window, then locate
    [0:] SDCARD
    and select it with A.
  12. Locate the "manual_transfer.gm9" file you put on the SD card previously. If you have a lot of files on the card, try scrolling with Left/Right on the D-Pad.
  13. Select this file, then select
    Execute Script
    .
  14. Wait for the script to complete.

If this does not fix your console, you may be experiencing a hardware issue or a serious software issue which will require further attention. Need a hand? Ask us for help: Nintendo Homebrew

This can be used for most general circumstances and should not be destructive. Use cases: random crashes, broken titles, console not booting after suggested fixes

  1. Turn the console off.
  2. Hold the following buttons: [Left Shoulder, Right Shoulder, D-Pad Up, A] then power the console on.
  3. This should boot you into Safe Mode. It should prompt a system update. It will require access to the Internet.
  4. Accept the update.

This process may reset your Home Menu data, such as theme orders, folders and notifications. Use cases: console not booting after suggested fixes

  1. Turn the console off.
  2. Hold the following buttons: [Left Shoulder, Right Shoulder, D-Pad Down, B] then power the console on.
  3. The console should boot to home menu.

This process is destructive and should not be attempted without guidance.

This process will reset your system save data, which will include any Miis you have made and your friend list.
This should generally not be attempted unless you have been advised to perform this process. Use cases: console not booting after suggested fixes

  1. Boot your system to GodMode9 by holding START during boot.
  2. Navigate to
    [1:] SYSNAND CTRNAND > data
  3. In this folder, there should be another folder, the name of which is 32 random characters. You may recognise this as your id0.
  4. Press Right Shoulder + A to bring up directory options, then select
    Copy to 0:/gm9/out
    .
  5. Once complete, press X on this folder to delete it.
  6. On the following prompt, press A.

Your system save data has been reset.

This process is destructive and should not be attempted without guidance.

This process should only be used under explicit circumstances and should not be used for general purposes.
This process will render your TWLfirm permanently unusable on stock firmware. Your TWLfirm runs original DS games. So long as you never uninstall CFW, this will not be a problem.

  1. Power off your console, eject the SD card and connect it to your computer.
  2. Download the donor header (right click > Save Target As or similar).
  3. Place the file you just downloaded on your root directory.
  4. Boot your console into GodMode9 by holding START during boot.
  5. Open
    [0:] SDCARD
    .
  6. Locate
    NCSD_header_n3ds.hdr
    and press Y to copy it. It should show up under CLIPBOARD in the top right of the bottom screen.
  7. Back out to the GodMode9 main window and open
    [S:] SYSNAND VIRTUAL
    .
  8. Select
    nand_hdr.bin > Inject data @offset
    .
  9. Press A. You will be met with a write unlock prompt. Press A again.
  10. You will see a red screen warning you about SysNAND level 3 unlock. Enter the button combination on the screen to proceed.

You have successfully injected a donor NAND header.