Using the 3DS's Safe Mode
darth mango and 3 other contributors
Last updated on May 31, 2025
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Community-Contributed Guide
An awesome member of our community made this guide. It was not created by iFixit staff.
Introduction
Go to step 1 ↓This guide demonstrates how to use SAFE_MODE, a 3DS family recovery feature which can fix damaged system titles, as well as other software issues by forcing a system update. It's demonstrated here on a 2DS XL, but the process is the same for all 3DS (and 2DS) systems.
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Ensure the console is powered off
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Hold the (L) + (R) + (A) + (D-Pad Up) buttons
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While still holding the other buttons, press the power button
Ask FixBot
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You should boot into a "system update" screen. Click OK and accept the prompts
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If your issue persists after following this guide, a system format may fix it. Or, if you'd prefer to keep your data, you can ask a question
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4 other people completed this guide.
4 Guide Comments
Does this work on old family 3ds?
Works on every 3ds and 2ds model
Hello Darth mango. I have had my 3ds xl (red btw) since 2016. It stopped working in 19 and I gave up. Never knew why, but when I tried this it didn't work. I see u have a reputation for fixing this stuff and I followed EVERY one of our guides. Nothing works. Should I just just go get it repaired, because NOTHING will work, even this.
Can you post a question about this? I try to avoid troubleshooting in comments as opposed to the forum made for it. Remember to include any symptoms (what happens when you plug it in, try to turn it on, etc.) as well as what fixes you've already tried. The better the info you give us, the better we'll be able to help. :D
