Hobbies And Interests
Checking for Dust
Remove the game cartridge from the unit and check the connectors for dust or physical damage. Wipe them gently with a clean cloth. Blow into the game slot with compressed air, purchasable at any office supply store, to clean out any dust in there. Dust can interfere with the connection from the game to system, causing data loss that results in freezing. If you don't have a can of compressed air, you can blow into the slot with your mouth. Just be careful of spittle.
The System or the Game?
Try to determine if the problem is with the system or with a specific cartridge. Try the game cartridge in another Nintendo DSi XL or DS system if one is available. If the game doesn't freeze in this unit, the problem may be with your device. Alternatively, try another game in your DSi XL. If other games work without freezing then you may have a defective game cart. Also, remove any additional third-party components you may be using, such as an Action Replay cheating device. The problem may be with the non-licensed Nintendo product being incompatible with the DSi XL or otherwise malfunctioning.
DSiWare Games
Upgrade your Nintendo DSi XL. Turn on the unit and select System Settings from the main menu to get into the settings. Scroll all the way to the right menu for the System Update option. Choosing this will check with Nintendo's servers through the WiFi features to see if your DSi's firmware is up to date. If there is a new update, install it and see if that corrects the problem. This update can correct many problems with games purchased from the DSiWare store. If the game that is freezing is a DSiWare game, delete it by going to the "Settings" menu, clicking on "Data Management" then "System Memory." Download the item from the DSiWare store again.
When All Else Fails
Contact Nintendo's customer support, listed in the Resources section below, for additional information on system repair if none of the above steps fixes the problem. Customer support will be able to provide assistance specific to your problem. If all else fails, your Nintendo DSi XL may need servicing or replacement under the factory warranty. Customer support will provide you with information on where to send your device for servicing.