Does it sound like I need to replace my battery?

[Ghost Soda]

I noticed for a while that my battery has been running out faster than usual, but it's gotton to the point now where I can maybe leave it charging for a while and have it last a few minutes before it started flashing red and I have to plug it in again. I pretty much have to keep it plugged it full-time now to play it.

And when it does start flashing I have to plug it in quick because it'll turn off in seconds of when it started to flash. And when it shuts itself off I notice that after the screen turns off the battery light will turn blue for a bit and then turn off fully.

So, is there a way to fix this or should I invest in a new battery?

 

[JCnator]

Since when you got that 3DS? If it's been months you owned the system, the rechargeable battery's capacity might have decreased over time and with use. At this point, you'll want to replace its battery. You can find them at Nintendo's Online Store.

 

[Venn]

It really does sound you need a new battery. If you just got it, try contacting the company and maybe they can do something for you. Unless you had it for like 2 years now, the battery shouldn't be doing that.

 

[Kaleidoscopes]

I'm assuming this is for a 3DS, right? How long have you had your system? I've owned many DS systems over the course of my life, starting back with the very first DS system since I was in 2nd grade and I've never had the problem you are experiencing. 3DS systems run on Lithium-ion batteries. Leaving them in extremely cold and hot places, as well as allowing them to fully discharge and leaving them discharged for extended periods of time can shorten overall battery life very quickly.

I also heard leaving them on the charger for too long can shorten battery life as well, but idk. I usually unplug my 3ds as soon as it is done charging just to play it safe. I've had my old 3DS since late 2012 and have never had to replace the battery on it, and the same goes for my DS Lite that I've had since late 2008. Like the other two above me, it does sound like you need a new battery... just keep these things in mind to help prevent the same thing happening to your new battery.

 

[Alienfish]

Yes it certainly sounds like you need a new one. I don't know if your console is new/used nor for how long you had it but sound it's a bit faulty unless you had it for ages and it's well used.

 

[Shinrai]

Have it checked at your local repair/dealers first. Does the bottom part look like bulging? If yes, it's most likely the battery as what I've read from other forums. If no, probably a cable problem or something. Was it dropped? And as the other people have said, how long have you had your system? and if your unit is a 3DS, maybe you it's time to shift to the newer 3DS, just weigh how much costs you'll pay versus the price of the N3DS.

 

[Trent the Paladin]

I'm assuming this is for a 3DS, right? How long have you had your system? I've owned many DS systems over the course of my life, starting back with the very first DS system since I was in 2nd grade and I've never had the problem you are experiencing. 3DS systems run on Lithium-ion batteries. Leaving them in extremely cold and hot places, as well as allowing them to fully discharge and leaving them discharged for extended periods of time can shorten overall battery life very quickly.

I also heard leaving them on the charger for too long can shorten battery life as well, but idk. I usually unplug my 3ds as soon as it is done charging just to play it safe. I've had my old 3DS since late 2012 and have never had to replace the battery on it, and the same goes for my DS Lite that I've had since late 2008. Like the other two above me, it does sound like you need a new battery... just keep these things in mind to help prevent the same thing happening to your new battery.

Leaving it plugged in will definitely reduce battery life. I try unplug mine when they're finished charging. Generally if you know you aren't going to be playing them for a bit discharge to about 50% and turn it off fully (I'm talking like months).

 

[Ghost Soda]

Yeah, this is for my 3DS, forgot to add that!

I've had it for a little over 2 years.

I've always heard you were supposed to let it run out all the way then charge it, and that if you charge it when it still has battery left it won't last as long. And TBH, I have a tenancy to just use my 3DS while it's still charging, oops I guess.

And the bottom of it isn't bulging or anything.

- - - Post Merge - - -

Yeah, this is for my 3DS, forgot to add that!

I've had it for a little over 2 years.

I've always heard you were supposed to let it run out all the way then charge it, and that if you charge it when it still has battery left it won't last as long. And TBH, I have a tenancy to just use my 3DS while it's still charging, oops I guess.

And the bottom of it isn't bulging or anything.

 

[Kaleidoscopes]

I've always heard you were supposed to let it run out all the way then charge it, and that if you charge it when it still has battery left it won't last as long. And TBH, I have a tenancy to just use my 3DS while it's still charging, oops I guess.

And the bottom of it isn't bulging or anything.

Fully discharging a battery to preserve battery life is true for NiMH and NiCd batteries but not lithium ion batteries; which is actually a really common misunderstanding.

 

[Ghost Soda]

Fully discharging a battery to preserve battery life is true for NiMH and NiCd batteries but not lithium ion batteries; which is actually a really common misunderstanding.

Well you learn something new everyday!

- - - Post Merge - - -

Fully discharging a battery to preserve battery life is true for NiMH and NiCd batteries but not lithium ion batteries; which is actually a really common misunderstanding.

Well you learn something new everyday!

 

[DarkDesertFox]

It does sound like you need to replace your battery. It's honestly not a big deal though. eBay has some really cheap options available.