Nintendo 3DS won't charge? Here's what to do

Dusting off your old Nintendo 3DS® for another game of Pokémon Soul Silver? You'll want your system to be ready. But if your 3DS isn't charging, you're going to have a problem.

Don't worry. We'll have you back on your way to becoming the best—again—fast. At Asurion, we make tech easy. From fixing your devices to showing you how to get the most out of your gadgets—we've got you covered. Here's what to do if your Nintendo 3DS is having trouble charging.

Why your Nintendo 3DS won't charge

When your 3DS won't charge, it usually comes down to one of three things:

1. A worn-out charger

Try connecting to a new charger or outlet before you do anything else. Your charger might be broken or your outlet might not be supplying enough power. It really could be that simple.

2. A broken or damaged charging port

Look inside the charging port to see if there's any debris or bent pins. Another sign of a broken port: having to hold the charger at an odd angle to get it to work. Either way, we recommend you reach out to a Nintendo expert for help.

3. A failing battery

This gaming system has been around since 2010, so it's possible that the battery has reached the end of its lifespan. If your system isn't responding to the charger at all and you're sure the charging port isn't the issue, you probably have a battery problem—and need to see an expert to get a new one installed.

Common Nintendo 3DS problems

The Nintendo 3DS was released back when Iron Man 2 came out, so there are bound to be issues with it. Here are some common Nintendo 3DS problems and what to do about them

You have a loose hinge

Flipping the hinging screen on this system is fun, and that clicking sound it makes is oddly satisfying. Unfortunately, all that flipping wears out the delicate hinges holding the dual screens together. Because the hinges are inside the device's casing, there's no way to fix the system without getting under the hood. We don't recommend you do this repair yourself.

Your touchscreen isn't responding

We can't imagine trying to play a game where the touchscreen isn't working. How else are you supposed to circle and tap endlessly to get to the next level?

Sadly, no amount of buffing and waxing is going to fix an unresponsive Nintendo 3DS touchscreen. Skip the hassle and bring it to an expert.

Your circle pad isn't working

Controlling your favorite characters is difficult if your Nintendo circle pad is broken, missing, or just not working. To fix this problem, you can get crafty if the stick connecting to your 3DS is still present. Use some modeling clay to replicate the size and thickness of your missing circle pad and let it dry overnight for an easy, temporary fix.

If the movement from the circle pad is disconnected from the screen—meaning your pad is there, but your character isn't following directions—you'll have to bring your system in for repair immediately.

Popping speakers

Imagine playing all 100 of those Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon cut scenes with popping speakers—or worse, no sound at all. We're kidding, but if your speakers are popping, it's a serious issue. Since those delicate speakers are built into the body of the 3DS, you can't get to them without taking the system apart. We recommend bringing it in for a repair.

Broken or cracked screens

When you have two screens, you have twice the risk of one breaking or cracking. Don't waste your time playing your favorite games around a crack, which will only get worse.