It appears that users are being banned from 3DS online services, en masse. There's no direct cause right now, and seemingly no linking factor. This post is meant as an announcement for users, to be wary, and that GBAtemp will keep you updated as soon as more info rolls in. If you have been banned, please post in the thread below, and we will try to keep tabs on the situation. To be extra sure, it can't hurt to turn off your 3DS's wireless capabilities, so you might as well do that for now.

Edit 1: it appears that e-Shop access isn't restricted if you are banned.

Edit 2: A caller to Nintendo reported that the company said this ban is due to "unauthorized software usage".

Edit 3: @LinkSoraZelda is collecting info. Contact him if you are banned.

Edit 4: Click and fill this out if you were BANNED.

Edit 5:

[11:28:19 PM] Clector: Curiously the page of that error in Nintendo Support website used to have this:Error Code: 002-0102 Situation: You receive the error code 002-0102 when attempting to connect online. What to Do: If you continue to experience this issue, please contact Nintendo by calling 1-800-255-3700. Representatives are available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Pacific Time, 7 days a week.
[11:28:44 PM] Clector: Now it says this: What to Do: If you are experiencing this error code, your Nintendo 3DS family system has been banned due to unauthorized system modifications, play of unauthorized versions of one or more games, and/or connecting to the official game servers in violation of our terms of service. This ban is effective immediately and requests to remove the ban will not be processed.

Thanks to @Joom

Edit 6: Aurora Wright is taking another poll here

Edit 7: Not a lot is known but

There are bans happening, they are happening in all regions.
All models in the 3ds family seem to be candidates for banning.
There is no indication they will be anything other than permanent.
A game or DLC may end up being a cause but there is no one game or DLC that ties banned users together.
The cause or causes are as yet unknown, though it does seem to be related to modifications. Reports of unmodified consoles being banned are as yet unproven.
The banning is tied to something you can modify, thus you can unban. Doing it while the causes are unknown is likely only going to burn a working token though.
There are semi public tokens out there, Nintendo knows how to browse a forum as well as you so don't be surprised if they also get banned.
It does not seem to be limited to a given base firmware version, it does not seem to be limited to any one custom firmware type. There is some speculation that older hacking methods are not being hit as hard but nothing to confirm this yet.
The data collection could have happened this morning, or it could have been months in the making.
A simple check to see is checking your friends list, by itself it will not ban you.
Some are turning their wifi off. It is doubtful this will be of much use and being banned does not seem to come with any downsides that wifi being off will not also mimic.
You may have escaped a ban thus far but it could happen at any point. It could be that they stop in the future, it has happened on other consoles, but you would be living in hope rather than any particularly well founded logic.
The bans are done on the side of Nintendo's servers rather than your 3ds so there is also that.

If you hack your devices/games then their online functionality may be troubled. This has been known for decades, Nintendo seems to have finally caught up with that.

Please continue to share information with the thread or the links in previous edits.

Update 5/30

HOW TO HELP AVOID BANS (we think)​

If I was to guess from the information we have gathered since the ban wave, it seems likely that they are looking for TitleIDs that don't exist. Homebrew shows up in the activity log as the Download Play app, and fake CIA's show up as just ??????. That last one is what I'm guessing they are looking for.

If you are not banned yet or before you unban yourself, go into your friends list, choose settings, and turn off the option to "show friends what game you are playing." This will prevent you from playing games online with friends, so turn it back on when you wanna game with someone, but ALWAYS keep it off when running custom CIAs. Next, go into system settings -> internet settings -> spotpass, and turn off BOTH options. One is auto download software, the other sends system information to Nintendo. Also, make sure you don't have your favorite title set to something stupid like FBI or any other non-Nintendo CIA.

Its VERY likely that these options are what tipped off Nintendo, but we aren't 100% certain yet. The amount of banned people that had one of these options turned on was over 80% for each. If I was to assume that some of those people overlap, its very possible (but not confirmed) that 100% of banned people in the survey had at least one of those options turned on. I personally had all of them off and I have TONS of reasons for Nintendo to ban me.... yet I am not banned (yet).

Another bit of advice: Only run custom CIAs when offline, and after you close them, run a "legit" game like Smash Bros. or something before shutting down or going back online. This way your most recent title won't show up as a fake CIA

Current Theories as to what causes a ban
​

* SpotPass Settings: 8 users out of 46 users that were banned have SpotPass completely shut off, or SpotPass only (no friends list visibility)
* Firmware Version (Luma, Nintendo): Literally all reports ranged from 10.2+, I can get exact numbers for this if you'd like, but all firmwares were affected.
* Firmware Type (A9LH, B9S): 44 of the 126 B9S users that answered were banned, pattern was mirrored for A9LH users as well.
* Homebrew Titles such as FBI, HBL, Luma Updater, Themely, and freeShop: Literally about 98% of users both banned and unbanned had some combination of these applications installed. However the common ones were: FBI, HBL, LumaUpdater and NTR.
* Save Modification: Equal amounts of users on both sides have reported save modification in some form, either with PKSM or another save editor
* System Transfers: 188 users said that they had not previously system transfered, 61 of those users were banned; 16 users said they transferred from a hacked console, only three of them received a ban; 13 said they transferred from a stock system and likewise were banned. The rest of our sample did not answer this question.
* Activity Log Information: A majority of those who have not been banned have said they had NOT cleaned their activity logs. I can get exact numbers for this too on request.

This information is just what I've found. Like I said, there could be variables or things we haven't even checked for yet. But these are things that I feel should be disproven, at least with the current dataset we have.

• From the information that we've gathered from some people that have used a packet sniffer such as WireShark, the following data is sent to Nintendo's online gaming servers as soon as the 3DS connects to the internet:
  • Amount of time spent online (timer stops when either the system is disconnected from the internet, or connection drops out, then starts the timer again in a new session when it reconnects to the internet).
  • The game being played and amount of time spent on it during that session.
  • The console's unique hexadecimal ID used in the LocalFriendCodeSeedB, along with it's RSA-signed signature.
  • The console's serial number in which is broadcasted from the SoC and is hard coded in the SoC.
  • Friend Code generated on the Nintendo 3DS system, if one has been generated.
  • Internet connection status (either online or offline).
  • The Nintendo Network ID, if there is one linked to it.
  • Even if the sending of SpotPass Information is switched off, or even hiding your currently playing games. It does not prevent the system from sending currently playing information to Nintendo's online gaming servers, it only hides it from your friends in your friend list (like being invisible on the forum, while mods and admins can still see you). Why? Because even people without a Friend Code on their system have been getting banned too!

• The following data is NOT sent to Nintendo's online gaming servers:
  • The data from the Nintendo 3DS's Activity Log. Oddly enough, while Nintendo does explicitly state that they collect Activity Log data, they're actually referring to their own server's Activity Log, which always tracks every console's online activity, and keeps a record of them that is stored forever. And is only collected in increments of data through a timer and a currently playing list.
    
  • Games or apps that have not been played, regardless if they're legitimate or not. You only get tracked when you're online and using that game or app.
  • Using games or apps while offline. Even though it is stored on the 3DS console's Activity Log, that data is NOT sent to Nintendo's online gaming servers.
  • Custom Firmware. Though we can't rule out the possibility of them releasing a 3DS update in the future that adds such function to collect MD5 hashes of files and FIRM data and send them to Nintendo online gaming servers (which would also be updated in a maintenance).

• Things that people think what happens with consoles, but really doesn't:
  • "LocalFriendCodeSeedB is transferred to the system upon doing a system transfer". This is false, the LocalFriendCodeSeedB remains on the system and does not move to another system.
  • "The console generates a LocalFriendCodeSeedB upon first startup". Again, this is false, the LocalFriendCodeSeedB is made during the manufacturing process at Foxconn. It is generated at the factory, flashed to the NAND flash memory storage, then created as an account on Nintendo's online gaming server and Nintendo eShop server immediately when being manufactured. It is absolutely impossible to generate a LocalFriendCodeSeedB and be able to connect to Nintendo's online gaming server and/or Nintendo eShop server, even if you knew the RSA generation key for it. You'd end up with Error Code 002-0102 "This console's online services have been restricted by Nintendo" if you even tried (the error can either mean two things: The hexadecimal ID doesn't exist on the server, or the request to access the hexadecimal ID has been denied which in other words... banned). So a LocalFriendCodeSeedB generator will NEVER happen! Because it's not worth doing, if it can't connect.
  • Switching off "Currently Playing" information. Once again, this does not hide your online activity from Nintendo's online gaming server, it only hides it from your friends.
  • Switching off SpotPass. Nope, this too doesn't hide your online activity from Nintendo's online gaming server, it only opts-out of receiving SpotPass data, sorry.

So pretty much the bottom line is, if anyone has been using custom apps and/or titles not installed through Nintendo eShop while online in the past, guess what? You're screwed! And it is only a matter of time before your console's unique hexadecimal ID in the LocalFriendCodeSeedB is banned from Nintendo's online gaming server. This will mean, your console can't access the Friend List or play any online functions in games.

If you have been online while using custom apps and/or titles not installed through Nintendo eShop and haven't been banned yet, that's because Nintendo hasn't caught up to you yet. They're still going through each unique hexadecimal ID's Activity Log on their server, and by Activity Log, I mean the Activity Log on their server, not the 3DS console's activity log. And it will be only a matter of time before you're banned too.

Thanks to @Platinum Lucario @MadMageKefka and @ShadowEO !

 

[Kanakops]

Hey do you think using streetpass with an hacked 3ds on a place with a lot of people having a 3ds can occure a ban ?

 

[lone_wolf323]

Hey do you think using streetpass with an hacked 3ds on a place with a lot of people having a 3ds can occure a ban ?

No, sounds like normal use of a 3ds system. Only thing remotely possible would be if you outright used a hacked title before using streetpass so it showed ya using w/e program with your mii

 

[Kanakops]

No, sounds like normal use of a 3ds system. Only thing remotely possible would be if you outright used a hacked title before using streetpass so it showed ya using w/e program with your mii

what if I use .cia of my own cartdrige of pokemon moon/super smash?

 

[lone_wolf323]

what if I use .cia of my own cartdrige of pokemon moon/super smash?

That should show just a normal use of that said game. I dont believe there would be anything within that which would remotely show anything hacked. I believe you would be fine with that.

 

[Ushiara]

They should just fix the security hole in their eShop-CDN and add private headers to their CIAs to prevent piracy and ban those where actual online cheating is detected instead of banning people who want to play homebrew or emulated games. I'm sick of buying a ROM of a game that I actually own multiple times. A homebrew server like for the NDS/Wii for the most popular games (e.g. MK7, AC:NL, MH4U) might be an option if someone is willing to invest the time...

I was thinking on this. Not to do like the nds, create now "private server" instead of waiting for the end of 3ds servers

 

[DJPlace]

i'm thinking of getting maxed items on Fire Emblem games (items that are harvested only) i wonder if i would be banned for that. (using NTR of course)

 

[Majickhat55]

I think a lot of you are taking this way too seriously for being "here". 90% of people on this site practice immoral (even illegal) things and then get upset like they did nothing wrong. I don't like getting banned either but, I deserve it for hacking my system. Not to mention, it's a measly online ban that can be reversed with a new seed; and there are plenty public. There is absolutely no reason to be all, "Oh, let me hide this, let me stop playing that, won't be using .CIAs anymore!" etc etc. Honestly, if you're that paranoid about a ban that can be reversed in like 5 seconds, you should probably just not use these hacks.

By limiting yourself on your console, refusing to use the hacks you installed, or are too paranoid to even go online why the hell are you still using CFW in the first place? Having a system on CFW and not using it for fear of a 100% fixable ban, it completely pointless; you might as well uninstall it and play from stock.
This is like having a car and refusing to drive it because you're scared you MIGHT get a ticket. I mean take the risk or don't but I'm going to laugh when Nintendo makes it clear they can still see your system is hacked regardless of how you try to hide it. Not one person can 100% say they know how Ninty knows, Rosalina, turning off streetpass, etc are just SUGGESTIONS to avoid a potential red flag. That doesn't mean those things will keep you safe from the long arm of Nintendo.

Just saying either use them or lose them, otherwise what's the point in having them?

 

[Pandaxclone2]

I assume because we're all waiting on some solution that doesn't compromise our 3DS consoles. Also "fixing" the ban doesn't fix the issue permanently and even if it is easy in practice, it's tedious doing it over and over.

 

[Majickhat55]

I assume because we're all waiting on some solution that doesn't compromise our 3DS consoles. Also "fixing" the ban doesn't fix the issue permanently and even if it is easy in practice, it's tedious doing it over and over.

How does using an unused private seed compromising your 3DS? I highly doubt there is going to be a permanent fix unless someone wants to create/maintain a private server for people with hacks to use (then you wouldn't be playing with those on Nintendo's servers anyway)... Yes, injecting a new seed DOES fix it permanently if you don't get yourself banned again. What are you talking about? You don't have to do it over and over unless you're using public seeds, and even then those get banned like once every 3 months...... Lazy much?

 

[Pandaxclone2]

How does using an unused private seed compromising your 3DS? I highly doubt there is going to be a permanent fix unless someone wants to create/maintain a private server for people with hacks to use (then you wouldn't be playing with those on Nintendo's servers anyway)... Yes, injecting a new seed DOES fix it permanently if you don't get yourself banned again. What are you talking about? You don't have to do it over and over unless you're using public seeds, and even then those get banned like once every 3 months...... Lazy much?

Disregarding the obvious ban-worthy stuff like cheating or playing a game online before it's even released, this is pretty much flagging and banning people for even using homebrew apps and whatnot. A private seed isn't private to Nintendo since that's where it was created, so regardless they can still log what you're looking at and flag/ban you anyway. Not what I would call "fixing the issue", just delaying the problem until it crops up again.

Since the issue seems to be that Nintendo can log whatever you're currently playing/using online, the solution I'd imagine would be a filter that doesn't stream homebrew app usage to Nintendo. We've pretty much hacked the 3DS to its core already so this should be feasible.

 

[Majickhat55]

Disregarding the obvious ban-worthy stuff like cheating or playing a game online before it's even released, this is pretty much flagging and banning people for even using homebrew apps and whatnot. A private seed isn't private to Nintendo since that's where it was created, so regardless they can still log what you're looking at and flag/ban you anyway.

Since the issue seems to be that Nintendo can log whatever you're currently playing/using online, the solution I'd imagine would be a filter that doesn't stream homebrew app usage to Nintendo. We've pretty much hacked the 3DS to its core already so this should be feasible.

Except no one know for a fact HOW Nintendo is collecting information about the hacks period. it's all guesswork. Of course the seeds can be seen but there is no console unique info stored in them. There is no way to tell what seed came from what original unit without the moveable.sed as well. Hell you can even use seeds from a Wii and they work just fine. Besides what you just said proves my point anyway, if you're that worried about being banned why are you even using CFW? That's common sense. No, you shouldn't HAVE to be able to use Nintendo's private servers on your hacked console, and you don't have the right to as per EULA. You have the right to keep your hacked console and continue to use it to play games, that's it. I'm just saying either use CFW to the fullest and risk the very easily fixable ban, or don't use it at all. You're not getting full use anyway if you're avoiding certain things.

 

[Pandaxclone2]

Except no one know for a fact HOW Nintendo is collecting information about the hacks period. it's all guesswork. Of course the seeds can be seen but there is no console unique info stored in them. There is no way to tell what seed came from what original unit without the moveable.sed as well. Hell you can even use seeds from a Wii and they work just fine. Besides what you just said proves my point anyway, if you're that worried about being banned why are you even using CFW? That's common sense. No, you shouldn't HAVE to be able to use Nintendo's private servers on your hacked console, and you don't have the right to as per EULA. You have the right to keep your hacked console and continue to use it to play games, that's it. I'm just saying either use CFW to the fullest and risk the very easily fixable ban, or don't use it at all. You're not getting full use anyway if you're avoiding certain things.

Your point about not being able to use Nintendo's servers is moot. Yes, we broke their EULA and by that right it means we shouldn't be allowed to use their servers, you're correct about that. But then, when has the hacking scene ever given a damn about that? We just keep circumventing their strict rules anyway, I've seen it time and time again these past few years on this 3DS homebrew/hacking scene. Why should it stop us now? This is a battle of attrition for Nintendo and it's only a matter of time before they give, they've only put this up now because the 3DS has been so thoroughly hacked that they're taking away their proverbial ball.

I'm not saying you don't have a point. But I'm also saying you're preaching to the choir because we all know full well what we've been doing and Nintendo's efforts at best just delay us. Eventually we will find a solution around it without having to resort to keys and playing it safe in the meantime.

 

[Reaga]

I've disabled spotpass and friends seeing what I play, since I hardly used those features anyway. But I still use CIAs, I don't watch whether I'm online when using stuff, and I definitely edit saves (within reason, like building Pokemon teams).

Still waiting on the ban, of which Smash Bros will be the only game I care about. Oh wait, I have a Wii U.

 

[Abu_Senpai]

Is this ban wave still ongoing? if the answer is YES then is there any chance of it ending anytime soon?

I haven't used my 2DS (Running Luma and A9lh) since March when i only used it to play MK7 Online. ( i heard all the fuss about the ban wave when it begun but decided to leave my 2DS in the draw and play other things until the ban wave dies down)

Can i begin playing online again or will Ninty ban me?

 

[Lacius]

Is this ban wave still ongoing? if the answer is YES then is there any chance of it ending anytime soon?

I haven't used my 2DS (Running Luma and A9lh) since March when i only used it to play MK7 Online. ( i heard all the fuss about the ban wave when it begun but decided to leave my 2DS in the draw and play other things until the ban wave dies down)

Can i begin playing online again or will Ninty ban me?

The May 2017 banwave is over. Whether or not there will be another one is unknown. To minimize your risk of being banned, you can follow these steps:

There have been reports of a wave of bans being handed out to CFW users by Nintendo. To protect yourself, please do the following steps before starting this guide:

1. Go to System Settings, then “Internet Settings”, then “SpotPass”, then “Sending of System Information”
2. Disable the “Sending of System Information” option
3. Exit the System Settings
4. Go to your Friend’s List (the Face Icon in the top row of your Home Menu)
   • If you receive an error and are kicked out of the menu, the Friend’s List setting is already disabled
5. Go to the Friend’s List settings, then “Friend Notification Settings”, then “Show friends what you’re playing”
6. Disable the “Show friends what you’re playing” option
7. Exit your Friend’s List

 

[Abu_Senpai]

The May 2017 banwave is over. Whether or not there will be another one is unknown. To minimize your risk of being banned, you can follow these steps:

Thank you Very Much

Edit- I followed your advise and disabled said options. Hears to no more ban waves

 

[Khim09]

Now that I read all discussions til here, I am now scared of being hit by the hammer. I followed B9S tips to disable sharing of info and share what is playing to friends. Please don't hit me.

 

[TinchoX]

Now that I read all discussions til here, I am now scared of being hit by the hammer. I followed B9S tips to disable sharing of info and share what is playing to friends. Please don't hit me.

Can I hit you with my squeaky hammer instead?

 

[bennyman123abc]

Now that I read all discussions til here, I am now scared of being hit by the hammer. I followed B9S tips to disable sharing of info and share what is playing to friends. Please don't hit me.

Wow. 499 pages of responses. I'm going to say this in the nicest way possible but, you need a life.

 

[TimX24968B]

Im reading these and seeing some of the precautions, and just wondering "well, you might as well just not install hacks instead"

my favorite quote that describes the kind of protection that people want:

"whats the safest way to go skiing? don't ski."