Hardware Old 3DS XL Gamecard issue

[NoNAND]

Hello everyone. Im having an issue with gamecards
its weird because it doesnt read my gamecards only when i swap them when the console is on
when i turn it off and on again it works fine. i have a R4 and a pokemon x game card
to be honest i dropped my 3ds once is this a software or hardware issue..

 

[Alex3dss]

There are 2 options:
1: There is dust on the inside of the gamecard slot
2: It is a hardware problem

 

[gamesquest1]

there is a tab on the inside thats probably stuck in the "cart inserted" position, you may be able to dislodge it by inserting and removing a cart a bunch of times

 

[NoNAND]

Thanks guys. My 3ds just had some dust in there and i cleaned it