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Hello,
I have 3 (three!) 3DS systems that have the same problem. When you press the power button, the blue light turns on for a second, and then the screen flashes with a popping sound and the system shuts off.
Any idea on what's going on here? I read something once about a fuse, but that was long ago.
Thanks,
Andrew
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The problem is the speaker or camera cables. It's usually the speaker cables—rarely is it the camera.
The cable will have a micro tear on it due to the opening and closing of the 3DS. The manufacturer should have protected the ribbon cables.
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how do you get the thing to take it off and put it back on
can u just unplug the cable?
That's helpful, but what if your 3DS is a 3DS XL?
Thanks! I fixed my broken 3ds with this.
Although I wasn't able to remove the top screen, I followed the guide until Step 17 and made sure those ribbons were making the right contact, I cleaned them by Brushing and applying Alcohol with a Q-Tip and inserting them properly with a pair of tweezers.
This fixed my issue and found out my Speakers were good, the Camera does not work but it is functional nonetheless.
it's not always a micro tear, sometimes the cable just isn't seated properly
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Andrew, start by checking the fuses for continuity. After that, you will have to check the LCD's. Sounds to me like that is where the problem is.
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Seeing as the unit turns on and off instantly, a Cable may not be seated properly like tiny login said. I know the DS and I'm pretty sure the 3DS have these symptoms when a cable isn't seated properly.
Dude i need more details my ds has 38 friends i like to play with MORE details please :'(
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Had the same problem with my sons 3DS.
Check the ribbons behind the top LCD screen. They come loose from opening and closing the DS and can cause a short. In mine, I was lucky and it was just a loose ribbon so it could be fixed.
To expose the back of the top LCD screen, follow ifixit instructions. Be careful removing the screws. The speaker magnets are quite strong and the screws are attracted to them which could tear the speaker cone.
Check to see that all the small ribbons under the speakers (volume, camera, 3D) are properly seated in the connectors. The connectors are like buckles. To reset a loose ribbon, gently lift the top of the connector latch opposite of where the ribbon is inserted. Carefully re-insert any loose ribbons and close the latch.
I then created some slack in the main ribbon at the bottom and taped it down so it wouldn't move when the DS was opened and closed.
This solution worked for me.
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sorted this issue just by removing the bottom battery cover then removing the 8 or so screws that holds the base , as soon as you gently slip the bottom case off be careful as there is 2 tiny little ribbons that are pop fit 1 to the left top, 1 to the right top,also to the top right corner you will more then likely see the ribbon that has come out of its clip fit, gently lift the flap and re insert the ribbon and then re close the flip catch, this is such a common problem with the 3d ds as the ribbon is tight so it don't take a lot to dis lodge it, a slight knock or it being dropped, i hope this helps those that don't think they are able to attempt to fix this just take the dive it can't get no worse if it don't work in the 1st place ;0) and if you manage to fix it your be the best dad/mum in the world makes it worth trying don't it ? lol
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I managed to "fix" a 3DS that was exhibiting the exact symptoms as in Andrew's fault description.
I followed oldturkey's advice and opened up a 3DS I bought recently. The unit was sold as faulty, and I could see from the wear on the screws that it had been opened at least once before.
The fuses checked out ok, so I put it all back together. The iFixit guide doesn't mention it, but some of those ribbon cables are a real pain to get back in (I recommend some rubber-tipped tweezers!).
Anyway, long story short, the unit starts working the moment I have it all back together. I'm therefore assuming that:
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I think I can help you with a piece of electric tape! Basically when you take the unit apart the first piece you take off to get to the motherboard (battery housing, L and R trigger housing) is the problem. There are two ribbon connectors on this piece for the L and R triggers. Well the R trigger is the problem. The ribbon connector comes in contact with the metal shield that it site near (bottom side of where the battery sits). Anyway you can see nintendo puts a little sticky rubber thing so the wire doesnt come into contact with the metal. Well sometimes this isnt enough and the ribbon connector still touches that metal shield. Simply add more electric tape to the metal so the ribbon connector doesnt touch it. I hope this clarifies it for you. If you need further assistance feel free to contact me b_hayes820@yahoo.com
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I called Nintendo today and the speaker was telling me that the Repair men/women told her to tell me to Press and hold the Up on the 4 pointed control stick underneath the C-stick. While holding that also press and hold the A button, L & R button while holding them press the On button and this should activate your 3DS. It should help and i might not help they said so if it does work then your 3DS is fine if it doesn't work then your screwed.
Give it a try! Let me know if it works.
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47 Comments
i'm having the same issue as andrew had, my 3ds after i turn it on, it shuts off in 3 seconds, before it made popping sounds, when i dropped it, it was fine, except that the brightness on the top screen was more like a five, i really need help on this, if anyone had the same problem and got theirs fixed without calling nintendo, please help me out here.
by wes smith
I have the same problem, except at random moments during gameplay it makes a popping sound, goes black, then resets the time. I think I figured out how to make it stop (by not moving the top screen while playing) but when I move it, it resets. Gets kinda annoying, especially playing games when you need to tilt it or move it around.
by Tris Prior
I have the same thing are there any ways to fix it I even charge it and it won't come one
by Mcglavalo
nintendo have fixed this but u either have to replce top screen or bye a newer 3ds
by oisin
I have the same issue. I have taken the 3ds apart but all ribbons seemed to be seated well and there doesn't seem to be any tears in the ribbons. The only thing I noticed was the WiFi antenna is torn a bit. In all fairness I don't remember if I tried it with the WiFi off. Could the WiFi antenna cause this issue?
by DJ Hotnisky
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