3DS not playing DS titles

[ChubSwagLad]

My friend gave me his homebrewed 3ds (3DS XL, Japanese, which he changed the region to North America) to try and fix an issue he's been having: Whenever you try to play a DS title, the error screen shows up,

"An error has occurred: Unable to mount CTRNAND or load the CTRNAND FIRM Please use an external one. Press any button to shutdown."

It seemed like an easy fix at first until I realized he doesn't have the Homebrew Launcher, FBI, or any of the other essential Homebrew apps installed. The only Homebrew app I can see on here is the hShop. So I've basically hit a wall and can't find any fix online. Also, I am unable to boot into safe mode. Holding A+R+L+D-PAD UP on boot just makes it linger on a black screen forever.

TLDR, I'm trying to figure out how to fix the error of not being able to play DS titles.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Please create NAND image as first step.

Then try running an update from System Settings if possible. Safe mode not working is a bit strange in this case.

You could try CTRTransfer next, but please don't skip the backup before doing so.

 

[leerz]

twilightfix

 

[KleinesSinchen]

twilightfix

Why not provide a link?
https://github.com/MechanicalDragon0687/TWLFix-CFW/releases

Since something is already missing ("provide external FIRM") I assumed the TWL titles are already deleted. Might be wrong. In this case running TWLFix is required before running the update.

 

[AlamosIT]

I realized he doesn't have the Homebrew Launcher, FBI, or any of the other essential Homebrew apps installed.

First of all, you should restore/update your CFW, following this guide. So you can use all the basic HB apps, like FBI, Homebrew Launcher, etc.

Then, according to the 3DS Hack Guide, the first thing you can try is the TWLFix:

1. Download the latest release of TWLFix-CFW (the .3dsx file)
2. Power off your console
3. Create a folder named 3ds on the root of your SD card if it does not already exist
4. Copy TWLFix-CFW.3dsx to the /3ds/ folder on your SD card
5. Reinsert your SD card into your console
6. Open the Homebrew Launcher
7. Launch TWLFix-CFW from the list of homebrew
8. Press (A) to uninstall the broken TWL titles
9. Press (Start) to reboot the console
10. Update your console by going to System Settings, then "Other Settings", then going all the way to the right and using "System Update"
    • The update will see that the essential TWL titles have been uninstalled, and will redownload and reinstall them
11. Once the update is complete, tap "OK" to reboot the console

If it doesn't work, you can try a CTRTransfer, following this guide.
(NAND Backup is mandatory!)

 

[ChubSwagLad]

First of all, you should restore/update your CFW, following this guide. So you can use all the basic HB apps, like FBI, Homebrew Launcher, etc.

Then, according to the 3DS Hack Guide, the first thing you can try is the TWLFix:



If it doesn't work, you can try a CTRTransfer, following this guide.
(NAND Backup is mandatory!)

Thanks, I'll try CTRTransfer, since TWLFix didn't seem to do anything.
Quick question, if his 3DS is originally Japanese but he changed the region/language, do I download the Japanese CTRTransfer or the North American?

Might be a silly question but I've never messed with the region of a 3DS so I'm not sure how this works.

 

[AlamosIT]

Thanks, I'll try CTRTransfer, since TWLFix didn't seem to do anything.
Quick question, if his 3DS is originally Japanese but he changed the region/language, do I download the Japanese CTRTransfer or the North American?
View attachment 480371
Might be a silly question but I've never messed with the region of a 3DS so I'm not sure how this works.

The Region Changing works with a CTRTransfer

So if you want to keep the North American region, you should use the USA CTRTransfer image

 

[SylverReZ]

Thanks, I'll try CTRTransfer, since TWLFix didn't seem to do anything.
Quick question, if his 3DS is originally Japanese but he changed the region/language, do I download the Japanese CTRTransfer or the North American?
View attachment 480371
Might be a silly question but I've never messed with the region of a 3DS so I'm not sure how this works.

You can check what console he has by checking the bottom of the console. The product code should start with the console model and the region.

For example, a European original model 3DS will say 'CTR-001(EUR)'. https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/Serials#Console_Serial_Numbers

Be careful when region changing the console as you can lose access to e-Shop and online features, or in worse cases, you can potentially BRICK the console.

 

[ChubSwagLad]

You can check what console he has by checking the bottom of the console. The product code should start with the console model and the region.

For example, a European original model 3DS will say 'CTR-001(EUR)'. https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/Serials#Console_Serial_Numbers

Be careful when region changing the console as you can lose access to e-Shop and online features, or in worse cases, you can potentially BRICK the console.

ah yes, I forgot about that. Thanks.
And hey tell that to my friend who likes buying Japanese 3DS's

Post automatically merged: Jan 14, 2025

The Region Changing works with a CTRTransfer

So if you want to keep the North American region, you should use the USA CTRTransfer image

all right, I did the CTRTransfer and now I'm getting a new message when trying to play DS titles.

Edit: All I had to do was use TwilightFix AFTER the CTRTransfer, now it's playing DS games just fine. Thanks to everyone who replied, you helped me out!