Topic: Help! My son's 3ds is frozen at the setup/language selection. Can't set up or play

My sons only Christmas present is so far a dud. I bought him a red 3DS bundled with Mario 3D and we charged it before doing anything. I took it out of the dock, turned it on to set up and it is frozen on the language selection screen, we can't get it to do anything. I tried taking out the memory card and reinstalling (I read that memory cards could cause freezing, but can't check it because I'm not at home and don't have a computer/card reader).

Does anyone have any advice or help they could offer? I am so sad for my son, everyone else is playing with their new toys and he cant. Tried calling Nintendo customer service who is closed today and looking online but haven't seen this specific issue, although there does seem to be a lot of issues with scenes freezing that an update may or may not have solved. Unfortunately, we can't even set up to get an update.

Any help is greatly appreciated, this really sucks!

Try hard resetting the system (holding down the power button until the entire system completely shuts down). If that doesn't work, I don't know what to tell you.

This, if that doesn't work, keep trying until you can either check the memory card or call customer service. Good luck

Yeah, what they said. I must stress this: Never remove the SD card while the system is on. I did it once because of minor issues, and all my save files and content on the card that was linked to my 3DS were deleted (I think it was only software such as the Gameboy games and Netflix- which at the time was the cause for it).

Thanks for the advice about the sd card!

I just held down the power button and restarted. The select a language screen come up, English is highlighted (it's yellow) others are white, but I can't use the stylus or use any of the buttons to press ok. Ideas?

By the way, thanks for the advice and Happy Holidays to all!

Except for a hard reset I cant think of anything else except wait till tomorrow and give Nintendo a call. Either that or maybe try returning the 3DS to the store you got it from.

If you can't use the stylus to select English, your touchscreen could be a dud — IIRC the setup process is done entirely with the stylus, no buttons. Turn the system off again, and then hold L, R. and X down while powering it on — that'll jump you straight to the calibration screen. If you can't calibrate the system, that's it... Nintendo's FAQ recommends starting a repair order.

If the store you bought it from is open today, I'd suggest returning it and swapping for a new one if possible — hopefully xmas can be salvaged for your son! If not, or if you don't want to return it to the store (e.g. if they're out of the bundle you purchased and can't replace it with a new one), as everyone else has already mentioned, calling Nintendo tomorrow for a repair will be in order.

Wow this is weird I just tried to get my sons new 3DS set up as well and its frozen on the language select screen as well. I got him the black 3DS. Going to try the steps said above if that doesnt work looks like I will be going to Target today or tomorrow.

Anyone else having the same problem with a new 3DS?

I didnt have any issues when I first got my 3DS. Since I got it at launch it has frozen about 5 times. A full shut down was necessary but it was never any more than that for me. All you can do if a shut down doesnt help in the meantime is try taking out the game card and sd card and see if that helps - or come back later. :/

This happened with my Wii. We tried 20+ times and never got it past the language select. I called the retailer that I bought it from and they allowed me to return it. The 3DS has a long warranty on it, talk to the store owner or company owner if you bought it online and they should let you trade it in for a working unit. If they don't Nintendo will give you a new one. I am sure this isn't what you wanted to hear since this was a Christmas present. Sorry

_{thank you for not suggesting avenues that will void the OP's warranty — TBD}

Ok well a hard reset worked for me I got it working. Now if only I can remember my dang networks security code so I can contect to the internet.

@Spencer: I think Tasuki has moved beyond the touch-screen issue, lol.

i am planning on getting a 3DS as a late christmas present (for myself...ha) in january. now i am a wee bit worried. anyone know how prevalent this problem is??

SO far this is the only times I have heard of it. I was able to get my sons going by doing a hard just powering the system off than waiting a few moments and turning it back on again. I bought a flare red 3DS this past September and I have had no problems with it ever.

I wouldnt be to worried about it k8sMum.

It's not very prevalent. not very frequent, either. And if anyhting goes wrong you could send your 3DS to Nintendo to be fixed.

I wouldn't worry, if there is any problems when you turn it on for the first time. Nintendo's warranty is still in effect so you give them a call and send it in, its replaced most of the time.

No freezing problems with my 3DS. And I had no idea that removing the SD card while the system is on could mess up the data! I've removed the SD card from my Wii (and PC) many times, and I never had that problem.

I never had problems with my 3DS, and I got it today for Christmas. All I could think of to help you is what everyone said above, sorry. Also, I removed my SD card while playing a game today and I never lost any data, none at all...

@StarFox64 Its just a safety precaution.