Nintendo 3DS uses a four-digit PIN that allows a user to access games and other applications. When you buy a Nintendo 3DS, you can set the PIN to prevent unauthorized persons from using the console. If you have forgotten your PIN, you might be wondering if it is possible to reset your Nintendo 3DS without the PIN.
So, how do I reset a Nintendo 3DS without a PIN? To reset your Nintendo 3DS console without a PIN, you first need to reset your PIN. You have to remember the answer to the security question you used to set the PIN. You can reset the PIN through your Nintendo 3DS console. After resetting the PIN, you can now reset the Nintendo 3DS console.
To reset the Nintendo 3DS, go to “System Settings,” select “Other Settings,” and scroll to the right and locate “Format System Memory.” Enter your new PIN and connect your console to the internet. You will see a message informing you that resetting your console will lead to the deletion of all the data in the system. Select “Next,” and the system will request that you confirm the format request. Select “Accept” to complete the process.
Most individuals use passwords and PINs to protect their digital data and provide access to their gaming systems. A PIN is very important for an owner of Nintendo 3DS, especially when setting up parental controls.
Nintendo designed and developed the Nintendo 3DS video games console as a handheld gaming device. After buying a Nintendo 3DS, you will have to set it up before you start gaming, and you can include a PIN to restrict access to your gaming device. If you cannot remember your PIN and want to reset your Nintendo 3DS, you might ask yourself if you can reset the console without the PIN.
To reset your Nintendo 3DS without a PIN, you first need to reset your PIN because you cannot finish the resetting procedure without it. Resetting the PIN is easy, and you can do it via the system settings on your Nintendo 3DS. After resetting the PIN, go to “System Settings” on your console and select “Other Settings.” Scroll to the right and select “Format System Memory,” and enter your PIN.
Connect your console to a working internet network, click “Next” after reading the warning message. Confirm the format request by clicking “Accept.” Your Nintendo 3DS will reset in about two or ten minutes, depending on the amount of data you have on your system.
If you bought a used Nintendo 3DS or received it as a gift from a friend or relative, they might have installed a parental control PIN, and you cannot reset the system without the PIN. If they cannot remember the PIN, you will have to reset it through the System settings.
After opening “System Settings,” select “Parental Controls” and tap “Forgot PIN”. You will be prompted to answer the security question, and once you enter the answer, you will gain access to the “Parental Control” page and change the PIN. Select “Change PIN” and follow the instructions on the screen to change the PIN.
If you have forgotten the answer to the security question, you will need a “Master Key” before you can proceed to change the PIN. When prompted to answer the security question, select “I Forgot,” and select “OK” if the partial email address is displayed on the screen and it is correct.
Your Nintendo 3DS will connect to the internet; therefore, ensure you have a working internet connection. After a few minutes, an email containing the master key will be sent to your registered email address. If you do not receive the master key, contact Nintendo customer support.
You can contact the person who gave you the Nintendo 3DS console if they used their email address to set up the console and did not reset it before giving it to you. They can send the master key to you so that you can proceed with the PIN resetting procedure.
Ensure that they send you the master key within 48 hours because the key becomes invalid after the end of 48 hours. If the partial email address displayed on your Nintendo 3DS console is incorrect, select “Cancel” and follow the instructions on the screen. Write down the Enquiry number because you need it to receive the master key when talking to Nintendo Customer Support.
After receiving the master key on your email address or through Nintendo Customer Support, tap “OK.” The system will take you to the next page and enter the master key. If the master key is still valid, you will gain access to the parental control page, and you can proceed to change the PIN. After changing the PIN, you can now proceed to reset your Nintendo 3DS console. After resetting your Nintendo 3DS, you will have to set it up before you can download and play games.
You should note that resetting your Nintendo 3DS console will delete all the data stored in the console. If you intend to keep some of the data in the Nintendo 3DS, you should not reset it. There is no way of recovering any data after the resetting process is complete.
If you wish to delete specific data, go to “System Settings,” select “Data Management,” and tap on “Nintendo 3DS. Tap on “software” if you want to delete a game or application or tap on “Extra Data” to delete associated save data. Tap on “Delete Software and Save Data” and tap “Delete” again to confirm the deletion.
When you reset your Nintendo 3DS, built-in applications will not be deleted or removed from the HOME menu. The built-in applications include Nintendo eShop, Mii Maker, Nintendo Zone Viewer, Activity log, Face Raiders, and Nintendo 3DS Camera, among others.
Pre-installed games on your Nintendo 3DS will be deleted, but if you opt to redownload them, you will not be required to pay any fees. The Pre-installed games include Mario Kart 7, Swapnote, and Fire Emblem: Awakening. If you had purchased games on Nintendo eShop, you could re-download them for free.
How To Set Parental Controls on Nintendo 3DS?
The gaming world is filled with a lot of content that is not appropriate for minors. Game developers try to include age restrictions warnings. Still, as a parent or guardian, you need to take extra steps to ensure your child does not access inappropriate gaming content. If you have purchased a Nintendo 3DS for your kids, here is how you can set up the parental controls on the console.
To set parental controls on your Nintendo 3DS console, turn it on and go to the “System Settings.” Select “Parental Controls” and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen. Choose a PIN that you are sure your child or any other minor with access to the Nintendo 3DS cannot change your chosen settings. Select the security question and answer that you will use to reset your PIN in case you forget.
If you choose to register an email address, ensure you choose an email address that your child cannot access. All parental control options will be enabled, but you can individually configure the settings to suit the gaming needs of the minor. Once you are done with configuring the settings, tap the “Done” button to confirm.
The Nintendo 3DS parental controls settings allow you to adjust the settings to suit your child’s age. You can switch off a few or as many features as you desire to suit you and your child. For example, if you have a 16-year-old child, their parental controls settings will have fewer restrictions than that of a 9-year-old child.
As your child grows older, you can disable more features you think they are old enough to access. You can change the parental controls to restrict more features you missed the first time you set up the controls.
By default, all features are restricted when you enable parental controls. The parental control PIN will be required whenever you or your child wants to access a particular game or application. Since you cannot give your child the PIN or be around them every time they want to play, you can remove some features from the parental control so that they can access them without needing the parental control PIN.
The features that you can enable or disable include the internet browser, Nintendo 3DS Shopping Services, display of 3D images, Miiverse, sharing data, online interaction, StreetPass, DS Download Play, viewing distributed videos, software rating, and internet settings.
Most parents prefer to put parental controls on internet access, shopping services, friend registration, viewing distributed videos and software. To restrict access to certain games, you can use the software rating feature. All game developers include an age rating on their games, giving recommendations on who can play them.
If the game has a higher age rating than your child’s age, the software rating feature will decline their access to the game by requesting the parental control PIN. As your child grows older, you can adjust the software rating feature so that they can access more age-appropriate games.
Friend registration is another important feature that any parent should restrict their child from accessing their Nintendo 3DS. Not everyone in the Nintendo gaming community is an upstanding citizen, and some are out to break the law and can negatively influence your child. By restricting friend registration, your child will not be able to add any friends.
However, users can also communicate with your child even if they are not registered friends. If you want to restrict communications to all users, change the settings on Online Interaction in Games, Internet Browser, and Miiverse.
You also need to restrict the viewing of distributed videos to your child’s Nintendo 3DS. If you do not restrict viewing of distributed videos, your child might watch a video not meant for minors. Restricting viewing distributed videos will limit access to videos suitable to all ages.
You can also restrict data sharing, preventing your child from sending sensitive or private information to other users. You should also speak to your child and warn them about sharing private information such as their real name, home address, or phone numbers with other users.
You can buy games and other products on your Nintendo 3DS through the Nintendo eShop. If you do not restrict Nintendo 3DS shopping services, you might be surprised by the bill you will receive if your child has access to your credit card.
Restricting Nintendo 3DS shopping services prevents your child from making unnecessary purchases or buying inappropriate games. When the Nintendo 3DS shopping services restriction is active, every time your child tries to make a purchase, they will be prompted to enter the PIN.
To have effective parental controls on your Nintendo 3DS, you need to pick a unique PIN known to you only. Most parents make the mistake of choosing an easy parental control PIN that a child can figure out within a short time. Do not pick a significant year of your life as your PIN.
The Nintendo 3DS console requires a four-digit code, and it might be tempting to choose the year of birth, the year you graduated college, or got married. You should also avoid picking your PIN from your social security number or your phone number.
The most effective method of choosing a parental control PIN is choosing the numbers at random. Think of four numbers at random and use them as your PIN. You can also use the time as your PIN. When setting up parental controls, look at the time you are setting up the parental controls.
For example, if it is 2.47 PM, change it into the 24-hour clock system, and your PIN will be 1447. It will take your child or any other minor a lot of time before they can figure out the PIN. When you set up the PIN, avoid writing it down or saving it in a place your child can easily find. If you suspect that your child has figured out your parental control PIN, change it as soon as possible and delete all the inappropriate content they accessed.
Wrap Up
Resetting your Nintendo 3DS console is very easy; all you need is your PIN and the answer to the security question if you cannot remember your PIN. If you are having any difficulties resetting your Nintendo 3DS, contact Nintendo Customer Support for help.
Finally, if you purchase the Nintendo 3DS for your child, ensure that you set up parental controls before handing it to them. You can change the parental controls after a few years as your child grows older.
