New 3DS extremely weak wifi signal

Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
in Help Wanted!
So Easter Sunday has arrived. In my Easter basket, I find my shiny new Golden Majora's Mask Limited Edition "New" 3DS.



What can I say? The system is awesome. After much headache getting it to connect to the router, I finally successfully did a system transfer.



I go in the other room, play some Majora's Mask, and all is well, or so I thought. I suddenly realized I cannot connect to the Wifi router from the living room, or my bedroom. The signal is intermittent and so weak it simply won't connect. My old 3DS xL connected from anywhere in the house.



Right now I'm about 3 feet away from the router and the browser works beautifully. However, it won't connect to the Internet unless I'm sitting on top of the router. Very disappointed right now. I searched the web and other people posted the same problem on Nintendo Tech forums, and all they got was cookie cutter responses to check their router settings.



It sucks and I suspect if the wifi won't work more than a few feet from the router, neither will Streetpass, etc, and a quick Google search tells me I'm not the only one with this issue.



I'd hate to risk losing my save data if I send it back to Nintendo. I've got a metric ton of eShop downloads on my fancy new 32Gb micro SD card. Any suggestions?

Comments

  • removed04092017removed04092017
    Sounds like the problem with Broadcom hardware in Linux years ago. I'd suggest first making sure the system is all updated first, manually check for updates.
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
    It's working beautifully right now. I also happen to be sitting about 3 feet way from the wifi right now. Signal starts to drop at ten feet away. At 15 feet, it's completely unusable. My old 3DS still got signal through multiple walls all the way to the kitchen at the opposite end of the house well over 75 feet or so not counting obstructions. I may put New Super Mario DS in my 3DS xL and see how far before the DS link drops. If my old DS phat gets ten times the range compared to my "New" 3DS xL, then I'll know it's not the router. I've already tested the metallic coating on the backplate to see if it blocks RF. My Wii-U Gamepad reads Amiibo from 1.5 inches away with or without the New 3DS backplate, so I think that rules out the metallic coating which really isn't metallic, just extremely high gloss.

    Next I'll test the DS link range between DS phat <-> 3DS xL and 3DS xL <-> New 3DS xL.

    My old 3DS xL wifi was somewhat weaker than my laptop but it still worked reliably from ~50 feet and when visiting coffee shops and the like, it could still detect wifi signals from across the street even if it couldn't connect to them. I'm on my New 3DS xL right now, and the mobile browser is a joy to use compared to the old one. Of course if I have to sit next to the router to access online, I might as well be using my desktop PC.
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
    Wow, epic fail. The wireless range on the "New" 3DS xL is an entire order of magnitude shorter than the previous iteration. Given the inverse square law, this means the wifi transmitter in my New 3DS xL is likely 100x weaker than the old one.



    Test method. New Super Mario Bros, versus mode. DS download link. Line of sight test. Both consoles held horizontal with top lids facing each other. Download software and start game. Step backwards until complete signal loss. Measure distance.



    3DS xL (host) -> DS phat (download)

    Signal loss at ~60 feet. *



    3DS xL (host) -> "New" 3DS xL (download)

    Signal loss at 6 feet.



    *My house only has max line of sight about 50 feet. The signal did not fail until I moved behind my mom's bedroom wall in a last ditch effort to move farther away..
  • SwiftFrostSwiftFrost
    Sounds like a lemon. Mine is fine at about 35 feet, and that is going through 4 floors of schtick (router in basement, bedroom I play in on 3rd floor).
  • mickcrismickcris
    mine works fine also. i have a black one though, but should be the same. have you tried redoing the wifi setup. maybe try rebooting your router also. could also try to change to a different wifi security type to see if anything changes.
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
    Guys, what do you recommend I do? Apparently my New 3DS xL will be eligible for an additional transfer in 7 days. I don't think it's possible to transfer my settings back to the original 3DS xL, so I can either buy another New 3DS xL sometime next week and transfer over the system (after verifying the Wifi is good) or send the New 3DS xL back to Nintendo and hope and pray they manage to retain my data???



    I'm currently uploading a video to YT. The New 3DS xL DS link craps out at an abysmal 4 feet.

  • Nes FreakNes Freak
    return it. or take it to nintendo and have it repaired
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust

    Originally posted by: nes freak



    return it. or take it to nintendo and have it repaired

    I need another system to transfer my data to before I can "send it back." I don't whole-heartedly trust Nintendo with it. More than likely, I would get me eShop history reinstated but with all my save data and streepass progress wiped. Money is very tight right now so I can't afford to just blow an extra $200 on another "New" 3DS xL if I can help it.



    Unless someone wants to buy a minty CIB MM Zelda 3DS off me with gimped WiFi. I could arrange that! WiFi works great, if you're within 5 feet of the router.



    Or sell it back to Gamestop at a loss...


  • Nes FreakNes Freak

    Originally posted by: stardust4ever




    Originally posted by: nes freak



    return it. or take it to nintendo and have it repaired

    I need another system to transfer my data to before I can "send it back." I don't whole-heartedly trust Nintendo with it. More than likely, I would get me eShop history reinstated but with all my save data and streepass progress wiped. Money is very tight right now so I can't afford to just blow an extra $200 on another "New" 3DS xL if I can help it.



    Unless someone wants to buy a minty CIB MM Zelda 3DS off me with gimped WiFi. I could arrange that! WiFi works great, if you're within 5 feet of the router.



    Or sell it back to Gamestop at a loss...

     







    ah i see, hmmm. if the 3ds is like the ds.  the wifi card is replacable.  if you are good at taking stuff apart try getting a wifi card for the new 3ds and replace it.  other wise stick with it i guess...    i k onw some router have a signal range control  maybe your router isnt at full power and the 3ds has a hard time picking that up? maybe?  try checking your router settings and see.  you can do that by going to your internet browser and inputing  (depending on your router) 192.168.1.1  in the adress bar.  if that doesnt work  look up how to acsess your router. 
  • A2600A2600
    New Red here working fine from the mentioned distances
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust

    Originally posted by: nes freak




    Originally posted by: stardust4ever




    Originally posted by: nes freak



    return it. or take it to nintendo and have it repaired

    I need another system to transfer my data to before I can "send it back." I don't whole-heartedly trust Nintendo with it. More than likely, I would get me eShop history reinstated but with all my save data and streepass progress wiped. Money is very tight right now so I can't afford to just blow an extra $200 on another "New" 3DS xL if I can help it.



    Unless someone wants to buy a minty CIB MM Zelda 3DS off me with gimped WiFi. I could arrange that! WiFi works great, if you're within 5 feet of the router.



    Or sell it back to Gamestop at a loss...

     







    ah i see, hmmm. if the 3ds is like the ds.  the wifi card is replacable.  if you are good at taking stuff apart try getting a wifi card for the new 3ds and replace it.  other wise stick with it i guess...    i k onw some router have a signal range control  maybe your router isnt at full power and the 3ds has a hard time picking that up? maybe?  try checking your router settings and see.  you can do that by going to your internet browser and inputing  (depending on your router) 192.168.1.1  in the adress bar.  if that doesnt work  look up how to acsess your router. 

    That's interesting. I wasn't aware that the parts were replaceable. Although I would be voiding the warranty by opening it up and I would still want to get my save data off of it and onto another unit before attempting a repair.



    Does anyone know if it is possible to system transfer back to the old 3DS, or is it a one-way street when it comes to upgrades?




  • MogMog
    Why don't you call Nintendo. It's still under warranty. I am sure they can do things for your save files/data.
  • Nes FreakNes Freak

    Originally posted by: stardust4ever




    Originally posted by: nes freak




    Originally posted by: stardust4ever




    Originally posted by: nes freak



    return it. or take it to nintendo and have it repaired

    I need another system to transfer my data to before I can "send it back." I don't whole-heartedly trust Nintendo with it. More than likely, I would get me eShop history reinstated but with all my save data and streepass progress wiped. Money is very tight right now so I can't afford to just blow an extra $200 on another "New" 3DS xL if I can help it.



    Unless someone wants to buy a minty CIB MM Zelda 3DS off me with gimped WiFi. I could arrange that! WiFi works great, if you're within 5 feet of the router.



    Or sell it back to Gamestop at a loss...

     







    ah i see, hmmm. if the 3ds is like the ds.  the wifi card is replacable.  if you are good at taking stuff apart try getting a wifi card for the new 3ds and replace it.  other wise stick with it i guess...    i k onw some router have a signal range control  maybe your router isnt at full power and the 3ds has a hard time picking that up? maybe?  try checking your router settings and see.  you can do that by going to your internet browser and inputing  (depending on your router) 192.168.1.1  in the adress bar.  if that doesnt work  look up how to acsess your router. 

    That's interesting. I wasn't aware that the parts were replaceable. Although I would be voiding the warranty by opening it up and I would still want to get my save data off of it and onto another unit before attempting a repair.



    Does anyone know if it is possible to system transfer back to the old 3DS, or is it a one-way street when it comes to upgrades?



     





    go to game stop and trade a 3ds for a 3ds.  and then trancefer your data
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust

    Originally posted by: Mog



    Why don't you call Nintendo. It's still under warranty. I am sure they can do things for your save files/data.

    I'm definitely going to contact Nintendo about it. I'm scared about losing save data though. I may attempt to transfer it back to the old 3DS before I send the new one in, if that's possible.



    If not, do I keep my SD card or send it with the console? I got a 32Gb Micro SD in the system right now.




    Originally posted by: nes freak




     





    go to game stop and trade a 3ds for a 3ds.  and then trancefer your data

    Pretty sure that doesn't work.



    EDIT: Someone on NLife told me it was impossible to transfer backwards. Looks like my best option right now is to wait 7 days, buy a new New 3DS xL, then see about getting the Zelda model back to be refurbed by Nintendo. Hopefully I can recoup some of my initial investment by selling one of the spare systems after it has been fixed.



    If Nintendo won't take it back, a shell swap would be plausible too. I've got access to triwing and micro screwdrivers. Definitely not gonna sell the bum unit back to Gamestop; that would just be shadey and wrong to the person who attempts to buy it.
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
    Rotten luck. I found the original Target receipt which I had carefully slipped into the New 3DS box. Returns accepted until 3/25/15. Crap. That's what I get for buying on February 13th and giving to my mom to hold it and put in my Easter basket.



    My family is extremely tight on money right now no thanks to some back taxes we owe to the IRS. I really cannot afford the extra $200 (I have money in the bank but need to save as much of it as possible) but it seems like I'll have to bite the bullet if I want to keep my games and save data intact.



    I'll be eligible to perform another transfer on Monday. Good thing they got rid of transfer limits. Afterwords, I'll see about contacting Nintendo. If they send it back refurbished and like new, I can sell the spare to recoup some of my investment.



    I'm thinking about flat out telling them the wifi doesn't work. But what if they check it and determine that it does? I really don't want to risk getting slapped with a warranty repair bill. Or worse, what if they determine the wifi "works" in whatever clean room environment they examine it in, and send it back to me unfixed?
  • Nes FreakNes Freak

    Originally posted by: stardust4ever



    Rotten luck. I found the original Target receipt which I had carefully slipped into the New 3DS box. Returns accepted until 3/25/15. Crap. That's what I get for buying on February 13th and giving to my mom to hold it and put in my Easter basket.



    My family is extremely tight on money right now no thanks to some back taxes we owe to the IRS. I really cannot afford the extra $200 (I have money in the bank but need to save as much of it as possible) but it seems like I'll have to bite the bullet if I want to keep my games and save data intact.



    I'll be eligible to perform another transfer on Monday. Good thing they got rid of transfer limits. Afterwords, I'll see about contacting Nintendo. If they send it back refurbished and like new, I can sell the spare to recoup some of my investment.



    I'm thinking about flat out telling them the wifi doesn't work. But what if they check it and determine that it does? I really don't want to risk getting slapped with a warranty repair bill. Or worse, what if they determine the wifi "works" in whatever clean room environment they examine it in, and send it back to me unfixed?







    what about an exchange?  i would go in anyways to see if you can get your money back.  you can explain your story to them or try getting ahold of a store manager if all else fails
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
    ^^Possibly. First I need to get my data transferred to another unit.
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
    Well I splurged on a second Black Nintendo 3DS xL. Yeah right now I'm 100% positive the gold system was bum. I walked to the far corners of my house with the Black New 3DS xL and my internet connection was rock solid. Didn't venture into the yard though because it's raining. Like my old 3DS xL, I'm picking up signals from the neighbors too, but it's even stronger this time. Two bars from my neighbor's WiFi which is more signal than my old 3DS xL ever got. System Transfer in progress.



    The original "New" 3DS xL still loses signal when I leave the room with the router. I'm going to return it to Nintendo claiming the WiFi flat out doesn't work.
  • standigzstandigz
    Maybe there is interference, try changing the wifi channel from the default one. Most people leave the default one on and then it clogs everything up. (I used to hate Wifi because I thought it was slow as a constipated turtle, but changing the channel "fixed" it up)
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
    Nope, WiFi antenna was just bad I guess. I still need to return that sucker. The black one I replaced it with has rock solid wifi reception. Even better to an extent than my fiance's laptop. I have to walk all the way to the street before the signal drops on this thing.
  • Michael H.Michael H.
    I've got exactly the same problem, also with a New 3DS XL Majoras Mask edition: very weak wireless signal, where my "old" 3DS XL was working fine from all rooms.
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
    That's unfortunate. When I first Googled the issue, apparently someone with the MH4 3DS had the exact same issue. I long since replaced it with a black N3DS. I also very recently sold my CIB Zelda MM to another NA member (ProtonX) at a loss. I did make full disclosure about the antenna issue. This person recently posted a thread that he was buying broken Game Boys and DSes (all models).



    http://nintendoage.com/auth/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=56&threadid=117025
  • Michael H.Michael H.
    I just solved it by myself! After *VERY* carefully opening the new 3ds (its a limited edition, you know!) i saw what problem is:

    like on this image from ifixit the cable-connector of the wireless antenna was just not connected:



    So after reconnecting carefully, I put the 3ds together and it worked again. *phew*



    Be sure to read the instructions here, before you try something like that: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo+3DS+XL+2015+Teardown/36346

    I just did step 5 to 9 (removing the back cover, not more). I don't give any guarantee that it works for you.
  • Kosmic StarDustKosmic StarDust
    Originally posted by: Michael H.



    I just solved it by myself! After *VERY* carefully opening the new 3ds (its a limited edition, you know!) i saw what problem is:

    like on this image from ifixit the cable-connector of the wireless antenna was just not connected:



    So after reconnecting carefully, I put the 3ds together and it worked again. *phew*



    Be sure to read the instructions here, before you try something like that: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/N...

    I just did step 5 to 9 (removing the back cover, not more). I don't give any guarantee that it works for you.

    Nice!



    I figured as much. Glad to see you fixed yours.
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