How to Disable 3D Images on the Nintendo 3DS

This can save battery life as well as possible eye strain

By
Nadia Oxford
Nadia Oxford
Writer
  • William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute
Nadia Oxford is a former Lifewire writer with 10+ years' experience. Her articles have appeared in Pocket Games Magazine, Play Magazine, Game Pro, IGN and others.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on February 7, 2022

What to Know

  • On the 3DS, open System Settings > Parental Controls. Tap Changes, enter your PIN, and choose Set Restrictions.
  • Select Display of 3D Images and choose Restrict.
  • If you don't already have a parental control PIN, you'll be prompted to set one up.

This article explains how to disable 3D images on the Nintendo 3DS. It includes information on the parental controls PIN and how to reset it if you forget it.

How to Turn Off 3D on the Nintendo 3DS

More research is needed to determine whether 3D imagery harms young eyes. Nintendo errs on the side of caution and recommends that children aged 6 and under should play the Nintendo 3DS with its 3D capabilities turned off.

The 3D effect on the Nintendo 3DS can be adjusted or turned off entirely with the slider located on the top right side of the device, but 3D effects can also be locked down using parental controls.

  1. Open the System Settings menu (the wrench icon) at the bottom of the screen.

  2. Tap Parental Controls.

  3. Tap Change (or See Tip 1 at the bottom of this page if this is your first time setting up Parental Controls).

  4. Enter your PIN. See Tip 2 if you've forgotten it.

  5. Choose Set Restrictions.

  6. Tap the Display of 3D Images option. You might have to scroll down the menu to see it.

  7. Choose Restrict or Do Not Restrict.

  8. Tap OK.

  9. You'll be taken back to the main list of parental restrictions. Display of 3D Images should now have a pink lock icon beside it, indicating that the Nintendo 3DS cannot display any 3D images. The Nintendo 3DS will reset when you exit the menu.

  10. Test the 3D slider on the right-hand side of the top screen; the 3D display should be non-functional. To launch programs or games in 3D, the Parental Controls PIN must be entered.

If you haven't already set up parental controls on your 3DS, you'll be asked to choose a four-digit PIN number that you will need to enter each time you want to change the parental settings. You'll also be asked to provide an answer for a preselected list of personal questions, in case you lose your PIN. Don't forget the PIN or the answer to your personal question!

You can reset your parental controls PIN if you can't remember it. One option is to try answering the question you set up when you first chose a PIN. Another is to get a master password key from Nintendo's customer service.

Nintendo 3DS device
Was this page helpful?