Issues With 3DS XL Button

[Duplighost]

I apologize if this is the incorrect place for this thread, as I am not sure where else to put it.

Last night I was playing a game, and I walked up to someone to talk to them in game. Like many games, you initiate the conversation with the A Button, but when I pressed the button it did not work. I pressed it again, but it did not work that time either. The next time I pressed a bit harder, and the button functioned properly. After playing with it I found out that the button only works if it is pressed hard enough (an abnormal amount of force is necessary for it to work). So sometimes when I am playing a game and reading dialogue, I press the A Button normally and it will not respond.

I take very good care of my 3DS and I haven't had it for a year yet. I know this is a small issue, but how long does my warranty last on it? Can I get it fixed for free from Nintendo, or (most likely not), even get a new 3DS is the problem persists? I placed my finger and wiggled the A Button, and it seems it is more wiggly, or "looser" than the other X, Y, and B buttons. I tried cleaning it with a toothbrush to maybe get dust out of it or something, but nothing works.

Do you guys have any idea what to do? I can't afford not being able to jab and attack in Smash or play games normally with this happening. I read online I can possibly tighten the button through the circuit board, but I would really prefer not to do that.

Any ideas?

 

[Deleted member]

If you're under warranty, then Nintendo should be able to fix your system for free. Perhaps they could send you a replacement unit (while they are fixing it) for the meantime.

When did your buy your system? Warranties last a full year, if I recall correctly.

 

[Duplighost]

If you're under warranty, then Nintendo should be able to fix your system for free. Perhaps they could send you a replacement unit (while they are fixing it) for the meantime.

When did your buy your system? Warranties last a full year, if I recall correctly.

I got my system right around this time... like, maybe December 5, or something. I honestly would feel weird sending it to Nintendo for just a small button, or is that okay? I am just not sure if I have time this week to do it.

 

[Deleted member]

I got my system right around this time... like, maybe December 5, or something. I honestly would feel weird sending it to Nintendo for just a small button, or is that okay? I am just not sure if I have time this week to do it.

Hmm, I see. If it really was purchased on December 5th, then you have four days left to send it to Nintendo to get a free repair. Otherwise you'd have to save around $100 or more to get it repaired, I believe. And nope, I don't think it'd feel weird. The A Button isn't working the way it should, and as a result, it is affecting your gameplay experience. Thus, I don't see why would they reject your system over it.

Alternatively, you can save up money for a new system (which is something I typically do when a particular aspect of the hardware isn't working) and transfer all your data to the new one.

 

[Duplighost]

Hmm, I see. If it really was purchased on December 5th, then you have four days left to send it to Nintendo to get a free repair. Otherwise you'd have to save around $100 or more to get it repaired, I believe. And nope, I don't think it'd feel weird. The A Button isn't working the way it should, and as a result, it is affecting your gameplay experience. Thus, I don't see why would they reject your system over it.

Alternatively, you can save up money for a new system (which is something I typically do when a particular aspect of the hardware isn't working) and transfer all your data to the new one.

I'll see what I can do. I'll try to send it to Nintendo. I would much rather buy a brand new system rather than just fixing a single button for $100. Thank you for all your help.

 

[Deleted member]

I'll see what I can do. I'll try to send it to Nintendo. I would much rather buy a brand new system rather than just fixing a single button for $100. Thank you for all your help.

You're welcome. Let me know if there are any other additional problems found on the system.

 

[Duplighost]

You're welcome. Let me know if there are any other additional problems found on the system.

Hopefully this will be the only issue. I am not really sure why this happened though. I am very careful with my system and clean it fairly often, and I have never really abused it in any way. Maybe because of accidentally clicking it a bit too hard in Smash? It's all I can think of. However, I didn't even play Smash the few days prior to me noticing the button wasn't working... In the past, I think I went through four different Nintendo DS Lites before finding one that didn't have an internal issue I did not cause. It costed me a lot of money. I remember the people who fixed it said there was nothing wrong with the parts inside the system when they opened it, so even they had no idea why it wasn't working either. Reason being, I am praying I will not have to go through multiple 3DSs before getting one that isn't corrupted in any way.

Also, I was reading online that it is possible to trade in a 3DS/3DS XL for $100 credit toward a New 3DS XL at GameStop. I can definitely afford that at the moment. I hate to ask you of it, and I know this is probably not something you keep track of, but do you know if this offer is still active?

 

[Deleted member]

Hopefully this will be the only issue. I am not really sure why this happened though. I am very careful with my system and clean it fairly often, and I have never really abused it in any way. Maybe because of accidentally clicking it a bit too hard in Smash? It's all I can think of. However, I didn't even play Smash the few days prior to me noticing the button wasn't working... In the past, I think I went through four different Nintendo DS Lites before finding one that didn't have an internal issue I did not cause. It costed me a lot of money. I remember the people who fixed it said there was nothing wrong with the parts inside the system when they opened it, so even they had no idea why it wasn't working either. Reason being, I am praying I will not have to go through multiple 3DSs before getting one that isn't corrupted in any way.

Also, I was reading online that it is possible to trade in a 3DS/3DS XL for $100 credit toward a New 3DS XL at GameStop. I can definitely afford that at the moment. I hate to ask you of it, and I know this is probably not something you keep track of, but do you know if this offer is still active?

Are you referring to this? If so, then, no, the GameStop offer you mentioned is no longer active.

Likewise; I am very careful with my New 3DS XL and always clean it after ending gameplay sessions. I even store it in its box when I'm not using it just to prevent the system from getting damaged. My first DS Lite stopped working around late 2007, so I got another model, this time being a limited edition, the year after. That still works to this very day.

 

[Duplighost]

Hey @Flight!

Without doing anything... the A Button is almost entirely working again!

Again, I did not do anything. This afternoon it seemed to be functioning almost completely normally. It is not as responsive quite as much as the other buttons, but it is not really interfering with gameplay anymore! I can click it normally and it functions correctly. I'm so relieved (and thankful I didn't go and buy another system right away like I was going to)!

I really don't know how or why it happened, but I am happy it figured itself out. Hopefully it stays this way!

 

[Deleted member]

Hey @Flight!

Without doing anything... the A Button is almost entirely working again!

Again, I did not do anything. This afternoon it seemed to be functioning almost completely normally. It is not as responsive quite as much as the other buttons, but it is not really interfering with gameplay anymore! I can click it normally and it functions correctly. I'm so relieved (and thankful I didn't go and buy another system right away like I was going to)!

I really don't know how or why it happened, but I am happy it figured itself out. Hopefully it stays this way!

Really? That's great. Hopefully it stays that way, as you said.