How to Connect a Nintendo DS to WiFi

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Credentials

In order to connect to a wireless network, you must have the required credentials. These are:

Wireless Network Name (SSID)
Wireless Network Key (Password)

Finding Network Credentials

Most wireless routers/gateways have a label with the default credentials. If the credentials aren't there, look in the devices documentation.

Default Wi-Fi credentials highlighted on router/gateway sticker.

If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) installed the wireless router or gateway, they might have left you a setup sheet which may have the credentials.

2. Connect to Wi-Fi

Select System Settings.

home screen, highlighting the System Settings app.

Select Internet Settings.

System Settings menu, highlighting the Internet Settings icon.

Select Connection Settings.

Internet Settings menu, highlighting the Connection Settings button.

Select New Connection.

Connection Settings menu, highlighting the New Connection button.

Select Manual Setup.

Connection Settings menu, highlighting the Manual Setup button.

Select Search for Access Point.

Connection Settings menu, highlighting the Search for Access Point button.

Select your Wi-Fi network.

Connection Settings menu, displaying a list of available Wi-Fi networks.

Enter your password, then select OK.

Connection Settings menu, prompting the user to enter the Wi-Fi password.

Select OK to save the connection.

Connection Settings menu, prompting the user to save the connection, highlighting the OK button.

Your DS will test the connection automatically.

A message will appear once successful. Select OK.

Connection Test successful screen, highlighting the OK button.

3. Check Other Devices

To help troubleshoot the problem we should check if other devices can connect to the wireless network.

4. Check Environment

If other wireless devices are connected to the network and functioning properly, chances are the router is OK. It's possible there is an environmental issue. Do you have a portable wireless device (Smart Phone, Tablet, Laptop, etc.) that you can put in the same area to test and see if that device's wireless connection still functions as intended in that location?

5. Power cycle

If you haven't already, please try power cycling the device you're working with. To do so, simply turn it off, wait 30 seconds and turn it back on again.

6. Incompatible Routers

The Nintendo DS is compatible with only a very specific type of wireless standard and encryption.

Your router must support the 802.11b standard.
This is an older standard, and some routers may have it disabled by default.
The Nintendo DS can only connect using WEP encryption.
This is an older, much less secure standard.

Check the user manual, or contact your router manufacturer for help checking or changing these settings.

7. What's next?

8. Range Check

The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.

In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.

The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.

9. What's next?

10. Relocate Router Check

Your router may need to be relocated to a more centralized location in order to provide better coverage for all your devices.

Good Placement

A house, separated into rooms detailing how placing Wi-Fi in the center of a house will provide better coverage to reach all devices. Diagram.

Bad Placement

A house, separated into rooms detailing how placing Wi-Fi in the corner of the house can cause some devices to not have a Wi-Fi signal. Diagram.

11. Router Relocation

Since this appears to be a range issue that can be resolved by putting the router in closer proximity to the device's intended use area, we recommend moving the router to a more centralized location.

12. Range Extender

If wireless signal is not reaching your device, and relocating your router or the device itself to be in closer proximity is not possible or doesn't resolve the issue, a great way to boost wireless signal without replacing existing equipment is to acquire and install a range extender. Range extenders work with your existing wireless router as a type of wireless repeater used to expand the reach of wireless signal in your home.