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If your Nintendo 3DS or 3DS XL does not recognise the inserted SD card, there may be various reasons for this. In this practical tip, we’ll show you what these are and how to fix the problem.
Formatting an SD card correctly for the Nintendo 3DS
For the Nintendo 3DS to recognise the SD card, it must be formatted using the FAT32 file system. Even if the card is already formatted using this file system, reformatting it may resolve the issue. If there is any data on the card, you should definitely back it up before formatting. Here’s how to do it on Windows:
- Insert the SD card into your computer’s memory card reader.
- Open Windows Explorer. You can do this, for example, by pressing the ‘Windows key’ + ‘E’.
- Right-click on the SD card. From the context menu, select “Format…”.
- Make sure that “FAT32” is selected as the file system. Then click “Start”. The card will now be formatted.
Nintendo 3DS does not recognise the SD card: Further solutions
If the card is not recognised even after being formatted correctly, you can try the following:
- Make sure the write-protect switch on the SD card is not engaged. You can engage or disengage the write-protect switch by sliding the lock switch on the side of the card.
- Try a different SD card.
- It is possible that the Nintendo 3DS’s SD card slot is actually faulty. In this case, contact the retailer where you purchased the handheld, or contact Nintendo directly.
