3DS XL - U.S. Version | Blue Light ~ doesn't boot

[iTheRedHood]

I've been struggling on how to fix my N3DS XL (U.S.) version. Recently, I tried to turn on my console but it didn't. At first it showed the message ''Unable to mount CTRNAND'', after a couple of research, I stumble on some possible answers. I watched some YouTube videos and tried to fix it, but, unfortunately the problem only changed from the previous one to ''f_mount returned 13''. I have no clue on what it means. Things I've tried so far:

- Reinstalling the archives after formating the 3ds's SD card.
- Tried to mount a ''new'' CTRNAND using YouTube videos on how to fix the ''unable to mount CTRNAND'' error but even though when it was up to mount it, I got the message ''No valid destination found''
- Formatting the SD Card in order to boot the 3ds without the SD Card but neither with or without worked.

I've been thinking about completely restoring the 3DS to its original format, but I don't know how to do it since the console doesn't turn on or even via the GodMode.

*The N3DS XL is modded/unlocked;
*I only get a blue light flashing with or without the SD Card.

 

[1MaMurd3r3r]

Idk what's wrong with it but I've been getting the same error. I tried to downgrade it from the latest firmware to 11.16.0-49U but on booting it back up it gives me the ctrnand error. I haven't been able to get a different error and godmode9 is inaccessible so maybe you've made some progress on restoring it and hopefully someone out there can figure out how to help us. I really want to get back to doa and dementium the ward. I need my games back

 

[Kwyjor]

I watched some YouTube videos

That's usually not a good idea, especially if you're not going to go into more detail about exactly what you did.

I've been thinking about completely restoring the 3DS to its original format

That is almost never the solution.

but I don't know how to do it since the console doesn't turn on or even via the GodMode.

How did you do all that other stuff if it doesn't turn on..?

Generally at this point you will need an ntrboot flashcart to do anything else.

I tried to downgrade it from the latest firmware to 11.16.0-49U

I don't know what made you think downgrading it would be a good idea, but that's never a solution either.

 

[1MaMurd3r3r]

That's usually not a good idea, especially if you're not going to go into more detail about exactly what you did.

That is almost never the solution.

How did you do all that other stuff if it doesn't turn on..?

Generally at this point you will need an ntrboot flashcart to do anything else.


I don't know what made you think downgrading it would be a good idea, but that's never a solution either.

I was having issues booting 3ds games after updating to the latest firmware and I tried to downgrade because they worked perfectly fine beforehand but it just screwed up my whole console.

 

[UltraAziz]

I experienced something similar a while back and it was fixed by updating Luma3DS

 

[Sir Tortoise]

I've been struggling on how to fix my N3DS XL (U.S.) version. Recently, I tried to turn on my console but it didn't. At first it showed the message ''Unable to mount CTRNAND'', after a couple of research, I stumble on some possible answers. I watched some YouTube videos and tried to fix it, but, unfortunately the problem only changed from the previous one to ''f_mount returned 13''. I have no clue on what it means. Things I've tried so far:

- Reinstalling the archives after formating the 3ds's SD card.
- Tried to mount a ''new'' CTRNAND using YouTube videos on how to fix the ''unable to mount CTRNAND'' error but even though when it was up to mount it, I got the message ''No valid destination found''
- Formatting the SD Card in order to boot the 3ds without the SD Card but neither with or without worked.

I've been thinking about completely restoring the 3DS to its original format, but I don't know how to do it since the console doesn't turn on or even via the GodMode.

*The N3DS XL is modded/unlocked;
*I only get a blue light flashing with or without the SD Card.

I suspect the initial problem was that your Luma CFW version was outdated, but it's possible that it's slightly more complicated now. It should still be fixable, but you may have lost any game data that was on the 3DS or SD card unless you have backups.

1)
Do you have backups of:
The SD card before you formatted it? Keep it seperate for now but the gm9 and "Nintendo 3DS" folders could be useful later if you have them.
The NAND (internal memory) of the 3DS? It is probably named something like sysnand.bin, any good hacking guide should have had you back this up and keep it safe. If you have it, it'll make things much easier.

2)
Copy any files off your SD card to somewhere safe on another device. Format your SD card to FAT32, which will wipe it but ensure it can be read by the 3DS. Do this even if you think it's already FAT32.

3)
Download the latest versions of LumaCFW and GodMode9 from their github pages. Extract the files onto the newly formatted SD card. You should have (among other things) the boot.firm file on the root level of the SD card (not in any folders) and a Luma folder. Create a folder called "payloads" in the Luma folder if it's not there and put GodMode9's firm file there.

4) Put the SD card in your 3DS. Then try booting while holding Start. If you're able to select GodMode9 from there, immediately use it to create a NAND backup if you don't already have one. Instructions are here. Otherwise let us know what directories show up on the main menu, a picture could be useful.

5) Then turn off your 3DS and try booting without pressing any buttons, let us know what happens. It'll probably just give an error message but then we can tell you how to fix it.

Idk what's wrong with it but I've been getting the same error. I tried to downgrade it from the latest firmware to 11.16.0-49U but on booting it back up it gives me the ctrnand error. I haven't been able to get a different error and godmode9 is inaccessible so maybe you've made some progress on restoring it and hopefully someone out there can figure out how to help us. I really want to get back to doa and dementium the ward. I need my games back

You should probably also follow the same steps above and let me know what happens.

 

[Kwyjor]

and I tried to downgrade because they worked perfectly fine beforehand but it just screwed up my whole console.

I'm not entirely sure how you would downgrade from 11.17 to 11.16 even if there was some useful reason for doing that. You're going to have to provide a lot more details about exactly what you did.

 

[1MaMurd3r3r]

G

I tried it and got gm9 working so I think I'm making progress however it does give me the same error on boot.

Post automatically merged: May 11, 2025

I don't remember what I used but I know it was an application in the homebrew launcher. The only reason I know what the firmware is was because I didn't delete the file I used to downgrade

Post automatically merged: May 11, 2025

Omg I fixed it

Post automatically merged: May 11, 2025

In the past I used this one guide on YouTube where you flash the ctrtransfer file to the 3ds using gm9 on my 3ds with similar errors so I just wanted to see if it would load the file and it did so I flashed it and it worked. YESSSS! Thank you guys so much for the help I'll lyk if I run into any other problems. Also if the guy who originally made this post or anyone else wants the link to the guide I'll post it.

 

[1MaMurd3r3r]

I am still running into the same issue that I was before when my console was working. The 3ds cartridge works, nds files work and .gbc files work but some cia files aren't working. I've been trying to install the .cia files for mk7 but even with dumping it through gm9 I've been unsuccessful running it. What happens if it crashes immediately after the 3ds logo disappears or on occasion I can navigate through the main menu but it crashes immediately when I try and play it. I've gotten 3 different types of errors which are errdisp, generic and arm11. I've just formatted the sd card and the console so everything should work fine. And before you mention it updating luma, gm9 and the console are not the problem as I've already made sure they are up to date. It is also not the seed. I've already checked on the 3hs website and for the games that do require it like Pokemon ultra sun and super street fighter I've already tried that and it still crashes. Since the formatting process I've only gotten arm 11 errors but still every type of file except .cias work and the only thing I haven't tried is downloading them with the custom install standalone installer. The reason why I haven't tried this is because I can't. I'm missing both the boot9.bin files required to dump the boot9 file to my 3ds's gm9 out folder. I haven't been able to find any information on how to get this either and the only place I've seen it is in homebrew tutorials so idk wtf it went but it disappeared. On top of all that BlazBlue continuum shift 2's .cia file has worked as well as flipnote studio 3d's but the main things I want to download won't. Before my 3ds was in the state it was in before I was able to play these and I'm pretty sure I had a file that said arm11 something but other games still crashed so idk if that would work.if anyone can help me out id appreciate that otherwise I'm gonna pm nuke my 3ds with the amount of times I'm gonna format it.

 

[Kwyjor]

Do you think your post looks easy to read? Please consider using paragraph breaks.

The first thing you should do is check whether your SD card is faulty. Copy everything off your SD card (Roadkil's Unstoppable Copier is recommended since there's a possibility of corruption), format the card, and test the empty card with h2testw. If h2testw says the card is okay, then you can copy everything back again.

I'm missing both the boot9.bin files required to dump the boot9 file to my 3ds's gm9 out folder.

If your Luma is up to date, then as per https://github.com/LumaTeam/Luma3DS/releases/tag/v11.0 , those files are automatically copied to luma/backups. However, custom-install will not help you if your SD card is failing.

 

[1MaMurd3r3r]

It's been going for about an hour. How long is h2testw supposed to take?

Post automatically merged: May 15, 2025

Also I've tried it with a different sd card and that didn't work either but the reason I wanted to use the custom install was because it's faster but idk why the files are missing. I have backups of my old files and there's at least 3 of them but there hidden in a 4tb drive so I'm gonna have a fun time trying to locate them.

 

[Kwyjor]

It's been going for about an hour. How long is h2testw supposed to take?

That depends very much on how large your card is.

Also I've tried it with a different sd card and that didn't work either

Please try to be more descriptive than "that didn't work" if you expect people to help you.

but the reason I wanted to use the custom install was because it's faster

Once again: it is not going to help you if your SD card is failing.

I have backups of my old files and there's at least 3 of them but there hidden in a 4tb drive so I'm gonna have a fun time trying to locate them.

Luma will automatically create those files, like I said. If those files are not being created, then there is probably something wrong with your SD card.

Also, there are tons of ways to quickly search a hard drive for specific files. I like WizFile.

 

[1MaMurd3r3r]

So I'm pretty sure I figured it out because I got the cia files to work. It's not my sd card I checked it but it was still having a bunch of issues. I'm like 99% sure it's the way I'm plugging it into my PC which is through an adapter and on to another adapter which fits loosely. I'm gonna try and find another one and hope it works. Wish me luck

 

[iTheRedHood]

I suspect the initial problem was that your Luma CFW version was outdated, but it's possible that it's slightly more complicated now. It should still be fixable, but you may have lost any game data that was on the 3DS or SD card unless you have backups.

1)
Do you have backups of:
The SD card before you formatted it? Keep it seperate for now but the gm9 and "Nintendo 3DS" folders could be useful later if you have them.
The NAND (internal memory) of the 3DS? It is probably named something like sysnand.bin, any good hacking guide should have had you back this up and keep it safe. If you have it, it'll make things much easier.

2)
Copy any files off your SD card to somewhere safe on another device. Format your SD card to FAT32, which will wipe it but ensure it can be read by the 3DS. Do this even if you think it's already FAT32.

3)
Download the latest versions of LumaCFW and GodMode9 from their github pages. Extract the files onto the newly formatted SD card. You should have (among other things) the boot.firm file on the root level of the SD card (not in any folders) and a Luma folder. Create a folder called "payloads" in the Luma folder if it's not there and put GodMode9's firm file there.

4) Put the SD card in your 3DS. Then try booting while holding Start. If you're able to select GodMode9 from there, immediately use it to create a NAND backup if you don't already have one. Otherwise let us know what directories show up on the main menu, a picture could be useful.

5) Then turn off your 3DS and try booting without pressing any buttons, let us know what happens. It'll probably just give an error message but then we can tell you how to fix it.

You should probably also follow the same steps above and let me know what happens.

Hey! First and foremost, thanks for the help so far. I followed the steps (from 3 to 5) as I had previously formatted the SD card without backing up the 3DS stuff. So, I formatted it to FAT32 again in order to clean everything, downloaded the lastest LumaCFW version and the GodMode9 as well. This time I created the NAND backup and followed the steps from the instructions you afforded. After all of it, I tried to reboot the 3DS without getting into the GodMode9 and got this error message: ''An error occured: Unable to mount CTRNAND or load the CTRNAND FIRM - Please use an external one | press any button to shutdown. ''

Post automatically merged: May 16, 2025

G

Post automatically merged: May 11, 2025

I don't remember what I used but I know it was an application in the homebrew launcher. The only reason I know what the firmware is was because I didn't delete the file I used to downgrade

Post automatically merged: May 11, 2025

Post automatically merged: May 11, 2025

Well, I'm still trying to fix it since I've back to the first ''Unable to mount the CTRNANDN or load the CTRNAND FIRM'' problem.

 

[Kwyjor]

After all of it, I tried to reboot the 3DS without getting into the GodMode9 and got this error message: ''An error occured: Unable to mount CTRNAND or load the CTRNAND FIRM - Please use an external one | press any button to shutdown. ''

The usual advice, as per https://3ds.hacks.guide/troubleshooting-post-install.html , is to do a CTRTransfer. It is not clear if that is what you did.

Don't follow Youtube videos.

 

[Sir Tortoise]

Hey! First and foremost, thanks for the help so far. I followed the steps (from 3 to 5) as I had previously formatted the SD card without backing up the 3DS stuff. So, I formatted it to FAT32 again in order to clean everything, downloaded the lastest LumaCFW version and the GodMode9 as well. This time I created the NAND backup and followed the steps from the instructions you afforded. After all of it, I tried to reboot the 3DS without getting into the GodMode9 and got this error message: ''An error occured: Unable to mount CTRNAND or load the CTRNAND FIRM - Please use an external one | press any button to shutdown. ''

Post automatically merged: May 16, 2025

Well, I'm still trying to fix it since I've back to the first ''Unable to mount the CTRNANDN or load the CTRNAND FIRM'' problem.

Yeah, if none of that worked then follow the CTRTransfer guide linked in the other reply. You can skip making another NAND backup since you already have one (though you should probably make another one once everything is working).
The NAND backup you have now may or may not have some recoverable info on save-files and stuff like that, it depends on what was done in the past. Best just do the CTRTransfer for now so the 3DS works one way or another.