3DS Hardware problems

[cortjezter]

I picked up a 3DS on launch day, and I have a couple problems with it. Don't get me wrong, I love my 3DS, but I don't think that these systems were made with as much care as, say, my trusty old Gameboy Advance SP. And by the way, I take care of my systems! I have it in a carrying case at all times and I bought screen protectors (which, luckily, saved me from the scratches some people get by closing it!)

First of all, my d-pad is squeaky. I know, not a big deal, but it still sucks. It sounds like it's gonna break on me. I've tried blowing in it, but it doesn't really help.

Second of all, the hairline cracks in my B button and d-pad. Not a huge issue, but it freaked me out at first!I thought the buttons were gonna break, but I guess it's just the paint or something and I can live with that. I was relived when other people had this problem: http://3dsforums.com/nintendo-3ds-3/sma ... pad-10349/ and an image here: http://www.chopstixz.net/wp-content/upl ... 1/04/2.jpg

Thirdly, my R trigger. Yesterday, I was playing Dragon Quest 9 on the thing, and I went to rotate the camera, but the trigger wouldn't depress! It must be a spring or something, because if I push hard enough it still works (but why would I want to do that!)

And finally, my squeaky battery panel. This has been a problem since I got it on launch day. Right under where my right hand lies when I hold the 3DS, there's a part where the battery panel pops out a bit, so when it's depressed it makes a squeaking noise. It's unavoidable, considering it's right under where I hold it! All of these things put together makes for one disappointed Oreanta.

This calls for some repair (thank goodness for warranty!). I know a whole lot of people have had problems like these, so it's just a bit annoying. Why couldn't they make a d-pad and buttons like the ones on the Gameboy Advance SP? Those were awesome!

Anyone else care to let out their 3DS frustrations?

[Sailing_Day]

Well, first off, the "screen scratches" aren't scratches, they're smudges (There's no friction!). You can wipe them off very easily. Anyway, the only real disappointment I have with the thing is the d-Pad. It's not really good to use for actual control. It works fine just for some extra buttons (Like the Gamecube d-Pad) but actually using it to control DS games or Game Boy games for example feels very awkward. Not necesarily because of the positioning, but because it's hard to press and kind of stiff feeling. I just stick to the circle pad.

[luigi_owns]

well i would say the hinge between the two screens doesnt feel very solid at all. Is that normal?

[Mako]

I love playing my 3DS as much as anybody and take good care of it as well. That being said, I agree, there are some minor problems with the system:

-Top screen gets smudges on it after you close the system and if you don't clean it right away it is pretty hard to get off.
-The 3DS hinge is loose when it is opened, never had this problem with any other DS model before...
-Some of the buttons are a bit squeaky. Also others have reported cracked dpads...
-We had all those system error problems around launch, but those seem to have cleared up.

The only thing I find really annoying is the smudges on the screen, they should have made the touchscreen the same size or thought of a different way to prevent this...

[Koopzilla]

I think the squeeking is caused by the type of material it's made of rubbing against each other, Mine did that at first , but after using it for a while it quit. I also get the smudges on the screen, and also a circular smudge where the circle pad is. The top screen seems more difficult to clean off than the DS it just takes a bit more wiping. Havn't had any hinge or cracked button problems at all. Since the latest update I have had my pedometer acting funny, like steps going down occasionally, and sometimes I will have to hit the power button a few times before it turns on. Those aren't really major problems, and I hope they will be corrected by future updates. Overall I'm pretty happy with it though.

[Oreanta]

Well, first off, the "screen scratches" aren't scratches, they're smudges (There's no friction!). You can wipe them off very easily.

My bad! I've read forum posts and listened to podcasts where they talk about it "scratching" the top screen, and I would always correct them in my head, saying "They're SMUDGES!". I always wiped them off, but for some reason I called them scratches here.

I called Nintendo about sending my 3DS in for repairs, and it was going well until I mentioned the cracked buttons. They told me that that indicated it being misused or something, and was not covered by their warranty. They told me I'd have to pay to get it fixed, even though haven't dropped the thing or anything! I noticed the cracks shortly after I bought the system. I was pretty annoyed, because the other problems (especially the nonfunctional R-trigger) needed to be fixed, and the system was only a month old. I called back and didn't mention the cracks. Simple as that.

[gtt]

yea, I have the smudges on the top half to, and my hinges aren't as solid as they could be. but other than that, it seems pretty good for a first revision. and I'm sure the 3dslite will fix these issues.

[mintgreen]

u guys really need to put something between the screen and bottom half EVERY time you close the system. I have a screen scleaner cloth from my DS days and use this - it must cover both the entirety of the touch screen, and the circle pad. Others use the foam sheet thing that came with the 3DS and was in the same place - hmm, I wonder why...? I had to ditch my top screen protector because in time there were permanent imprints from the touch screen left on there (the top screen is much better looking without a protector anyway).

D-pad squeaking is annoying, I don't get it so much as I used to, but at least the thing's durable. Once in frustration I pressed down on the thing HARD to see if something would happen that would get rid of the damn squeak. There was a little bend under my thumb lol, but nothing other than that

[mbh911]

I am about to send my launch 3DS system to nintendo for repairs as the L and R shoulder buttons are not responding in game when pressing L or R. I first started to notice the R shoulder button wouldn't respond in game when pressed and I would have to end up holding down the R button just to make it barely work. Then eventually the L shoulder button starts to do the same and as of last night both the L & R shoulder buttons do not respond at all unless I press down on the L or R buttons really hard.

Anyways I will be without a 3DS for a few weeks (cries) and the last time I had to send a console/hardware to Nintendo was the DS Lite crack hidges that occurred to many Nintendo DS Lite owners. Other than that I can't wait to get the L & R shoulder buttons fixed so I can finish up Kid Icarus 3DS hooray for free repairs by Nintendo!

Anyone else here on the boards come across any 3DS hardware issues? If so was it a 3DS launch hardware? Or several months later or recently? Did you have to pay for it? Free? Etc, etc.

Thanks for reading and cheers!

[FighterKirby]

Just recently my R button has gone numb. Or, beginning to. I think it was because my friend and I were playing those L/R button-controlled 2-player minigames in WarioWare: Mega Microgame$ and it was pretty intense. Of course, that would put the blame on my friend. It's become awfully frustrating to undo in Colors! 3D and to skip ahead when dealing with StreetPasses.

I'm ignoring the problem for now, but if it worsens, or if the L button starts acting funky, I might have to send it to the Big N for repairs. I honestly have NEVER had to do that. I mean, I've had minor problems with some products but I never actually got around to sending in my Wii or 3DS, etc. I guess I just let things go too easily. Or, maybe I just don't like being away from my go-to consoles for gaming.

Anyway, I hope you can keep yourself busy while your system gets repaired. It'll all be worth it in the end.

[Mirr0rR3flection]

Anyone else here on the boards come across any 3DS hardware issues? If so was it a 3DS launch hardware? Or several months later or recently? Did you have to pay for it? Free? Etc, etc.

Thanks for reading and cheers!

Back in January I had to send my 3DS in for repairs since the "L" button stopped responding or just randomly responded whenever the hell it wanted to. (I must have mashed it too much playing Mario Kart 7 ) For me this was the very first time I had to send anything to Nintendo so I made sure to do things right and take advantage of their free 1 year warranty if ever my 3DS had any issues. (I bought my 3DS at launch) Best decision I ever made if I do say so myself. ^_^

I hope your successful with getting your 3DS repaired.

[mbh911]

Just recently my R button has gone numb. Or, beginning to. I think it was because my friend and I were playing those L/R button-controlled 2-player minigames in WarioWare: Mega Microgame$ and it was pretty intense. Of course, that would put the blame on my friend. It's become awfully frustrating to undo in Colors! 3D and to skip ahead when dealing with StreetPasses.

I'm ignoring the problem for now, but if it worsens, or if the L button starts acting funky, I might have to send it to the Big N for repairs. I honestly have NEVER had to do that. I mean, I've had minor problems with some products but I never actually got around to sending in my Wii or 3DS, etc. I guess I just let things go too easily. Or, maybe I just don't like being away from my go-to consoles for gaming.

Anyway, I hope you can keep yourself busy while your system gets repaired. It'll all be worth it in the end.

Ah shucks, now yours is going numb as well? I guess its only a matter of time before the L button starts to act funky like you mentioned but let's hope your 3DS doesn't get to that point.

Same here with minor problems but nintendo has always been known for making their hardwares last a long time. In the mean time I got my Zelda DS lite, PS3, Wii, X360 and my old gameboys, etc. And besides I will be taking my 3DS to a repair shop somewhere in Chatsworth, California sometime next week when I have a few hours to spare from my job, etc.

[Koopzilla]

I haven't had any problems with the L/R buttons on my 3DS, but on both my DS's the L button quit responding. I think it's from dirt particles or something getting down in there. You can actually fix it yourself. It sounds a little weird but you form a good seal around the button with your lips and blow into it as hard as you can, just make sure not to blow any spit down into it. I thought it sounded crazy, but it actually works. It might help to try blowing it out with a can of compressed air too.

[mbh911]

I haven't had any problems with the L/R buttons on my 3DS, but on both my DS's the L button quit responding. I think it's from dirt particles or something getting down in there. You can actually fix it yourself. It sounds a little weird but you form a good seal around the button with your lips and blow into it as hard as you can, just make sure not to blow any spit down into it. I thought it sounded crazy, but it actually works. It might help to try blowing it out with a can of compressed air too.

Since I wont be taking my 3DS to the shop until next week, I'm going to take your advice and try the air canister very soon to see if that helps.

[Irritating Stick]

I actually had a problem with my R button recently. I had the 3DS in my pocket, and did some heavy lifting, forgetting it was in there. I guess what I was lifting smacked against my pocket, so my R button wouldn't work unless you pressed it really hard. It was under warranty, so I sent it back to Nintendo to get it fixed. About a week later I did get it back and it did work, but unfortunately, the button wasn't quite as clicky as it was before....

[pokemaster515]

Well, first off, the "screen scratches" aren't scratches, they're smudges (There's no friction!).

If they are just smudges than why can't my brother just wipe them off? I've seen the circle pad smudge but I'm pretty sure what is on the screen is a scratch.

I haven't really had any hardware problems on mine though but the d pad is pretty stiff and my 3D slider is hard to slide (compared to my brother's and its been like that since I got it). I'm hoping my L and R buttons don't go out though, my DSi ones did and it stoped my from finishing Spirit Tracks, which reminds me I should probably finish that game over the summer.