Is your Nintendo DS not charging? If yes, you may be wondering what could be the reason and trying different hacks to get its power on.
While retro gaming is full of entertainment, if the hardware malfunctions, it can be frustrating. There are several Nintendo DS battery-related issues, usually with fairly easy solutions. But how to fix Nintendo DS not charging? That’s a question worth asking.
In this guide, we will see:
- why Nintendo DS won’t charge,
- how to fix the Nintendo DS charging problem,
- and finally, we’ll look at some FAQs about this problem.
Let’s get started.
Why My Nintendo DS Is Not Charging
Playing on a Nintendo DS is fun – until the battery lasts. If the battery dies, you’ll need to recharge it, but sometimes there are a few hiccups in the charging process, leaving you with the dreadful question of why won’t my DS charge?
When you put your DS on charging, but the recharge indicator doesn’t turn on, or the charging light goes out after a few minutes, it could mean a few things. So, learning about the reasons behind a DS not charging can help fix the problem more easily.
There can be one of the following reasons behind the mystery of Nintendo DS not charging:
Fully Charged Device
Sometimes we become overcautious with our retro gaming devices. We try to keep them fully charged at all times.
Due to this habit, we may not remember when we last charged our device. As a result, when we plug in a fully charged Nintendo DS and the charging light won’t display, it causes frustration.
So, make sure you’re not plugging in a fully charged device. Because in that case, the recharge indicator won’t turn on, leaving you wondering if something is wrong with your DS.
Inoperative Electric Outlet
Another reason for the Nintendo DS not charging can be an inoperative electric outlet. This problem is relatively common when the charger is plugged into a power strip or a floor outlet. It happens because most people leave the charger plugged in these outlets. So, people rarely use them for other electric appliances. As a result, you may not know if an outlet is working properly or not.
To avoid this issue, don’t leave your DS charger plugged in an outlet for long. Otherwise, you might put aside your device for charging only to find out later the outlet wasn’t working.
Damaged Charger or Adapter
If you’re a regular player of Nintendo DS, it means your device must have gone through enough exhaustion. It also includes the charger and adapter.
Sometimes the charger or the adapter may have split wires or bent prongs. It means they are damaged and need to be replaced.
Make sure you buy a Nintendo DS adapter and charger from authentic stores to avoid damaging your device. You can also ask your friends or family who have the same device that they don’t use anymore.
Broken Charging Circuit
In some cases, the reason why a Nintendo DS is not charging is internal. It means the device’s charging circuit or fuse must have broken. This problem is more of a technical nature that you may not be able to resolve without expertise.
Expired Battery
Lastly, the reason behind your Nintendo device’s charging problem can be an expired battery. Although it is rechargeable, it doesn’t last forever.
On average, a Nintendo DS battery can be fully recharged at least 500 times. Due to excessive use and over exhaustion, the battery timing will start declining and ultimately become dead. In such a case, it is time to replace the battery on a Nintendo DS.
How To Fix Nintendo DS Not Charging
Now that you know the reasons why your Nintendo DS won’t charge, it’s time to learn how to fix that. Below, we have mentioned some easy ways to fix your Nintendo device’s charging problem:
Plug the Adapter Properly
An amateur-level mistake most gamers do is not paying attention while plugging in the Nintendo DS adapter. You need to plug the adapter into the External Extension Connector at the back of the Nintendo DS device. The connector is labeled 5.2v where the smaller end of the adapter is inserted. Then, swing the AC adapter’s prongs to lock them in one place. After that, you can insert it into a working wall outlet. If the adapter is working, you will see a recharge indicator displayed on the device.
Get a New Charger
If you do not have a Nintendo DS charging port problem, then your charger must be the problem. Sometimes due to regular wear and tear, users may damage the Nintendo DS charger. Its wire may be burned or broken inside, causing the Nintendo DS device to not charge. If that is the case, then you may need to buy a new charger for your DS.
Replace the Battery
While Nintendo DS batteries last a long time, they cannot last forever. In most cases, batteries die out after 2-3 years, and you’ve to replace them. You can find them at the Nintendo website or other retro gaming sites. However, in order to buy the right battery, you must know your Nintendo DS battery type. Otherwise, you may end up buying the wrong one and waste your money. Your device manual will have all this information, or you can search online to buy the right battery.
Pro Tip: If a family member or a friend has the same model of the Nintendo DS that they don’t use anymore, you can ask them. It will be free of cost, and your device’s battery did not die at all.
Repair the Charging Circuit
A technical reason like a broken charging circuit can also make your Nintendo DS device fail to charge. You can fix the circuit or fuse problem easily with some manual work. This particular problem may seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is easier than it seems. There are a number of online tutorials available to help you fix a broken charging circuit. If you are not up for the challenge, you can always get technical support from retro gaming repair stores. Moreover, if your Nintendo DS device is a year or less than a year old, you can claim a warranty.
Time to Get a New System
If you have tried all the methods mentioned above for fixing the charging problem of a Nintendo DS and none of them worked, it may be time to replace your system. Retro vGames is an online platform where retro gamers buy and sell their new and used classic consoles and retro devices. You can buy a number of retro gaming devices, including Nintendo DS, Sega, Xbox, Atari, etc. Moreover, if you do not want your old retro gaming devices, you can also sell us your games.
You can drop your contact number along with essential details at help@retrovgames.com or 4238-RETROV (423) 873-8768.
Wondering how to identify fake Pokemon Nintendo DS games? Read here.
FAQs About Nintendo DS Charging
If you are still confused about why the Nintendo DS system will not power on or charge, then these FAQs will help clear your confusion.
If it runs out of enough battery, your Nintendo DS system will not power on. So, it is essential to recharge the battery after regular intervals instead of exhausting it completely. If you have tried charging the device and it still won’t turn on, there may be a more serious problem with the charger, charging port, adapter, or charging circuit.
It is possible to charge a Nintendo DS without the charger if your charger is damaged or lost. The charging port of a Nintendo DS resembles a mini USB plug. So, you can use a mini B USB cable and a USB to AC adapter for charging a Nintendo DS. You’ll know the device is charging if the orange light goes on.
A Nintendo DS won’t charge if the adapter is not properly inserted or if there’s a problem with the charging port. When you plug in the charger, the recharge indicator will light up. Nintendo DS has an orange charging light that displays while the device is charging. As soon as the charging is complete, the light will turn off.
The recharge indicator light blinking issue is common in most Nintendo devices, including DS, DSi, DSi XL, etc. Sometimes, the orange charging light starts blinking when the Nintendo DS is plugged in for charging. This issue usually arises due to an inappropriately inserted battery. The issue will resolve after taking out the battery and re-inserting it properly.
Typically, a Nintendo DS takes about four hours to charge fully while turned off. However, the device will take longer to charge if you continue playing while it charges. When the device is fully charged, the amber charging light will go off. After completely charging, the battery can last for up to 6-8 hours, depending on usage, screen brightness, etc.
Conclusion
In summary, knowing the reasons behind the Nintendo DS not charging can help fix its battery-related issues successfully. You can replace the battery, change the charger, get a new adapter, or fix the broken charging circuit.
In order to do that, you can either learn from online tutorials or get professional tech support at a local retro gaming store.
However, if none of these tricks work and your Nintendo device still doesn’t turn on, it may be time to replace it and get a new one. So, say goodbye to an outdated device and get a new one or sell it before it is completely out of order to earn a few bucks.
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