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How do I get my Nintendo DS to connect to the Internet?

I saw that you're covering the Nintendo DS on AskDaveTaylor. Sweet! Now, can you help me? I just can't figure out how to get my Nintendo DS unit to connect to the Internet. I'm trying to get Tony Hawk's American Sk8land to work.


Dave's Answer:
Tony Hawk's American Sk8land for Nintendo DS @ Amazon.com
It turns out that Nintendo has a very good tech support center, and even has a separate Web site focused just on getting your Nintendo DS working on a wifi network: NintendoWifi.com.

But I won't make you go there, because I can step you through how to get your game to work multiplayer too!

First step, put Tony Hawk's American Sk8land into the DS unit then go to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Settings area within the game, then pick one of the network "slots" so your game will remember how you've configured it.

You'll have a couple of different connection options at that point, but the easiest is to let the Nintendo DS unit do all the work: choose "Search for an Access Point":

Nintendo DS: Wifi Connection

Now, hopefully, you'll be able to see your wireless network (or perhaps more than one). The easiest to work with is an open network, which is indicated as a blue padlock that's open. There are also red padlocks (if your system uses WEP protection) and grey padlocks (which are bad news: the Nintendo DS can't work with the security system on that particular unit, probably WPA security).

Nintendo DS: Wifi Connection

If you have an open network, just click "OK" and it should work just fine! If it's a red padlock, it'll prompt you for a password: you'll need to know the password of the wireless access point you're using to get past that. If it's grey, well, try finding an open network somewhere else you can use.

Hopefully, that'll get you online and ready to play American Sk8land with your pals!



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Comments

i have done wot u sed but it wont work dnt have a clue why can u send me some reasons why and how to solve them plz

Posted by: elliot at June 17, 2006 10:44 AM

dude i have mario kart DS and i can play online thanks to my router but, is there anything else i can do besides a wi fi match?

i dunno download something or its impossible?

Posted by: Carlos at August 4, 2006 10:59 PM

how do you get it without tont hawk I'm gonna go ask jeeves

Posted by: sarah at September 14, 2006 2:24 PM

Dave i am sending this to u from my psp and i need to know if there are any free legal games to down load from my 2.8version psp.

Posted by: Jim at September 27, 2006 4:53 PM

how do i put internet on my psp?

Posted by: dave taylor at December 1, 2006 5:19 PM

I WANNA LEARN HOW TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET WITH MY MARIO GAME : Mario vs. donkey kong 2: march of the minis

and i think it could work because it has a wi-fi feauture.

Posted by: priscilla at January 1, 2007 3:56 PM

how could i get to the internet on a ds

Posted by: no name at February 22, 2007 8:55 AM

HOW DO I GET INTERENT ON MY NINTENDO DS WITHOUT ANY VIDEO GAMES I ONLY WANT THE INTERNET SO I CAN ACCESS WEBSITES CAN YOU TELL ME HOW I CAN DO THAT ???.....PLEASE EMAIL ME
THANK YOU

Posted by: Devon at March 5, 2007 3:37 PM

please could you let me now how to get the internet on the nintendo ds.

many thanks

Posted by: j at March 6, 2007 2:23 PM

HOW DO I GET INTERENT ON MY NINTENDO DS WITHOUT ANY VIDEO GAMES I ONLY WANT THE INTERNET SO I CAN ACCESS WEBSITES CAN YOU TELL ME HOW I CAN DO THAT ???.....PLEASE EMAIL ME
THANK YOU

Posted by: Bill at March 10, 2007 7:12 AM

how you put interney in the nintendo ds

Posted by: nidia at March 10, 2007 2:05 PM

HOW DO I GET INTERENT ON MY NINTENDO DS I WANT THE INTERNET SO I CAN ACCESS WEBSITES CAN YOU TELL ME HOW I CAN DO THAT ???.....PLEASE EMAIL ME
THANK YOU

Posted by: yesselith at April 3, 2007 2:08 PM

hey how do i get the internet on my ds i have got wifi now what i saw this thing in eb games and it was like a thing 4 the internet on the ds so is that what i need or what? thanks can u plz email me back

Posted by: homma at April 9, 2007 5:15 AM

how do you get the internet on your ds without a game?

Posted by: 1 at April 10, 2007 4:30 AM

I have done what you have said and the padlock is red how can i find the WEP key to access it?
thanks can u plz email me back asap please

Posted by: Ryan at April 12, 2007 10:39 AM

i havent got an email back dave.. plz i so badly want 2 no THANK YOU DAVE

Posted by: homma at April 25, 2007 11:33 PM

heyy. i seriously need help. it's SOO complicated. i have already asked google and it just appears with questions with NO ANSWERS!!!!!!! that is just wrong. i will go ask jeeves but one more thing can u do it without cruddy tonny hawk?????!!!!

Posted by: Katie ray at May 5, 2007 4:52 PM

Wow. My son just asked me to set up the Wifi on his DS for his Pokemon Pearl game. One quick Googling of the question brings me here. A few clicks later, and he's got WiFi on his DS!
Thanks, Dave!

Posted by: Mark Widawer at May 6, 2007 9:53 PM

i put the WEP but it stil isnt working...
any advice?
thx....

Posted by: Andrew at May 7, 2007 10:10 PM

Dear Dave,
How do i get a internet on my ds?
i want one but i dont have anough money
to buy a game.Can you get it witout the game?
PLEASE RESPOND PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Will at May 21, 2007 8:54 AM

um i was wondering if you can tell me how to put internet on my ds

Posted by: morgan k at June 27, 2007 3:08 PM

HOW DO I GET INTERENT ON MY NINTENDO DS WITHOUT ANY VIDEO GAMES I ONLY WANT THE INTERNET SO I CAN ACCESS WEBSITES CAN YOU TELL ME HOW I CAN DO THAT ???.....PLEASE EMAIL ME
THANK YOU

jus making sure in case u didnt get the first 1

Posted by: llewy at June 29, 2007 5:56 AM

Hey whats up Dave just wanted to say you have an excellent site. I was looking up ideas you can do on a psp and found your site. I am now going out to buy a psp. I will be back to try some of tricks and helpfuls you have listed. awesome work with your site and keep up the great work. Clif

Posted by: clif at July 14, 2007 11:31 PM

DEAR DAVE,
HOW DO I GET MY NINTENDO DS TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET SO I CAN PLAY MARIO KART DS ONLINE??? I CANT PICK UP MY WIRELESS ROUTER ON MY DS PLEASE HELP ME!!! I HOPE U EMAIL ME A.S.A.P. THANK YOU.

Posted by: David at August 2, 2007 6:50 AM

Yeah that actually didn't help me because our computer can't read WEP passwords so we need to us a WPA which the NDS can't read. Our computer is a iMac G5 OS X 10.4. So what do I do?

Posted by: Patrick at August 4, 2007 3:54 PM

HIYA MY NAMES JAY AND I GOT A QUESTION. HOW DO I PLAY MY POKEMON DIMOND GAME OVER THE INTERNET?

Posted by: jay at August 5, 2007 1:39 AM

everyone (including me) wants to know how to get internet on your nintendo ds but you didn't even answer the question....so can you please? i was just on google and sarched it and clicked on this so if you would e-mail me the answer then that'd be great. thanks.

Posted by: nicole at August 14, 2007 7:31 PM

HI HOW DO I SET UP MY DS TO GET THE INTERNET

Posted by: CLISE at August 18, 2007 5:18 PM

1. You CANNOT go onto the internet and browse without buying the OFFICIAL nintendo browser pack (google it...) 2. To use wi-fi on your ds, you have to know your WEP KEY. you get this when you set your wi-fi up... Are you 10 yr olds!?! load up the game, click wfc wi fi setings on menu, click search for access point. the rest you REALLY should know. If you still dont know how to, just go on the nintendo support website...that IS what it's their for...

Posted by: Cheis Bignell at September 9, 2007 7:24 AM

on my pokemon diamond game I go the global trade station oher known as gts and I want to trade pokemon with someone around the world really badly but it keeps on saying no compatable access point and I dont know what that is or what to do.please help me. signed RJ Roger Delacruz Manseiavias (I know that is hard to spell)jr.

Posted by: Roger at September 12, 2007 7:37 PM

can you tell me how to get the internet on the ds with out a game

Posted by: Colleen at September 15, 2007 10:54 PM

i bought the ds diamond game... and i would like to get the ds wi-fi on the game ...please help me get to the internet

thnx

Posted by: rj soclfiled at October 3, 2007 3:53 PM

lsn this is hard to get a weriless on the dam ds i dont knw how to connet to the weriless

Posted by: mahmoud at October 5, 2007 3:38 PM

thanks so much for helpin me but what do i do after i get the red lock on do i have to find my wep key?

Posted by: justin at October 11, 2007 2:49 PM

Thanks for the info! I got the info easy from google from ya.

Thank you again, Ethan.

Posted by: Ethan at November 1, 2007 3:15 PM

would u tell me how to get on the internet on my ds without a game? plz!!!!!!!
e-mail me if u can @ cool_masem@hotmail.com

Posted by: masem at November 12, 2007 5:32 PM

I am having trouble unlocking wifi on my ds PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!email me @ pcperriott@btl.net

Posted by: justin at November 23, 2007 8:09 PM

WEP key. in order for you to put a lock on your router, you needed to enter a wep key. that wep key is known by the person who locked it(which is you). enter that wep key into the nintendo wifi setting on your ds and you should be able to play your game online.

Posted by: jrwrath at December 1, 2007 1:26 AM

Dear,Dave i am wondering how do you get internet on your nintendo ds please e-mail me as soon as possible

Posted by: Maurice at December 11, 2007 3:44 PM

Heyy dave taylor! uhm ok my mom went to future shop today and the 2 people at the check out counter said you can get internet if you have a rouder, wich i do, and said you dont have to by any pack for the DS or anything. so can you please tell me how because i wished for a psp for christmas so i can go on the internet but my mom said no because the guys told her i can get it on my DS :'( please help meee

Posted by: Cassy at December 13, 2007 5:41 PM

Cassy, they're almost right. You need a *wireless base station* so you can have wifi in your house. Typically that's a base station + router (and they can be as cheap as $49) but the router isn't the important part, it's the wireless piece, also know as 802.11(b is what you want: don't get a "g" only unit!)

Posted by: Dave Taylor at December 13, 2007 7:26 PM

Hi, i bought the ds internet browser, but when i try to get on it, it asks for a password,but i havent got a password?
Help please?

Posted by: Jess at December 27, 2007 8:55 AM

hi i have a ds and how do you connect it to wifi email me soon as poslis

Posted by: laura at December 30, 2007 3:03 PM

HOW DO I GET INTERENT ON MY NINTENDO DS WITHOUT ANY VIDEO GAMES I ONLY WANT THE INTERNET SO I CAN ACCESS WEBSITES.
THANK YOU

Posted by: bob at December 30, 2007 8:36 PM

plz email what do i need for geting websites on my nintendo ds lite with out any games and wheres the best place to buy it i live in usa brandon florida so plz answer my Q's

Posted by: Emma at January 14, 2008 4:31 PM

what is the ssid for ?

Posted by: christian at January 19, 2008 9:27 PM

Dear... people,
I recently purchased a Wireless 11g USB Adapter from eBay for use with my Nintendo DS console.

I installed it, configured a WEP Key etc etc and the first message that came up was 'This Local Area Connection has limited or no connectivity...'. I tried connecting on the DS. Signal strength was 'excellent', the network was 'unlocked' and I managed to connect before receiving the message 'IP address not found'. Fixed that using walkthroughs on the internet.

However, now I try again, it stays on full signal until the very last second at which point it goes to nil, and tells me it could connect to the access point but not to the server.

I fiddled around with the IP Address, Subnet Mask etc. but I feel I am doing something wrong. Just so you can all help me if you want to, I will post what my Email (mathew_irons@hotmail.com) so if you can help me can you please help because this is doing my head in.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Matt (wdc8ball)

Posted by: wdc8ball at February 4, 2008 2:53 PM

Unfortunately, wdc8ball, I'm pretty sure that the Nintendo DS, like the Sony PSP, only works with 802.11*b* protocol and if you have a "g" only unit, it might just be incompatible. :-(

Posted by: Dave Taylor at February 4, 2008 3:37 PM

Hi dave i think you might of just got it. It was sold to me as suitable for the ds but on the packet it say`s wireless LAN 11g usb adapter
and IEEE 802.11g. So i will as for a reound .
Thanks for your help mate
Matt (wdc8ball)

Posted by: wdc8ball at February 6, 2008 11:58 AM

i have got an ds lite and i was just woundering how you can put internet on the ds lite email me back please thank you gabreil nall

Posted by: gabreilnall at February 9, 2008 6:21 PM

these are what i have in my room:

Sky hooked to the phone lines

wired router also connected

xbox 360 connected to pc via ethernet then bridged with my router connection.

i dont have the money to go and buy any wireless things and i cannot find any access points near me is there anything i can do ?

Email me at: Halo989@hotmail.com

Posted by: danny at February 12, 2008 6:28 PM

i can connect to wi-fi on my wii fine but i cant on my ds


HELP!

Posted by: sean at February 24, 2008 8:45 AM

Thanks for this. As helpful as the Nintendo site might have been, it didn't make it clear to me ( a poor confused soccer Mom) that the WiFi settings were in the game set-up, not the console set up.

Cheers.

Posted by: Angela Canny at February 24, 2008 6:13 PM

i have a nintendo ds but i dont no how to use the internet on wierless i want to be able to play games and talk to people please help me and email me the answer

Posted by: jess at March 15, 2008 6:28 PM

Dear Dave,
How can I access internet one my DS without using a game?

Posted by: Sore at March 22, 2008 8:04 AM

how do i get to download games from the internet ,wait ,can i download games on the internet well i need to know can i plug my DS into the computer......Please E-mail me....Cody....

Posted by: cody at March 31, 2008 1:04 PM

can u please help me get on the internet????????

Posted by: tiaboo731 at April 17, 2008 6:17 PM

Man I am soo confuse my stupid ds can't get on the internet I hav no clue wat 2 do I just need the internet 4 my pokemon diamond version idk wat the wep key thing is and do I do sumthing on manual setup...this whole thing is soo dang confusing but please help me and give me step by step
Sign A CONFUSE 14 year old lol

Posted by: JoVonn at May 4, 2008 12:16 PM

DEAR DAVE,
HOW DO I GET MY NINTENDO DS TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET SO I CAN PLAY MARIO KART DS ONLINE??? I CANT PICK UP MY WIRELESS ROUTER ON MY DS PLEASE HELP ME!!! I HOPE U EMAIL ME A.S.A.P. THANK YOU.

Posted by: kat at May 5, 2008 2:06 AM

I do not know how to get a WEP Key for my Puzzle Planet League game on my DS for Wi-Fi. How do I get a WEP Key?
keri

Posted by: keri at May 5, 2008 6:18 PM

how do you go on the internet on the nintendo ds

Posted by: odayne hill at May 10, 2008 10:06 AM

how do u get a WEP KEY CODE OR A SSID CODE?
i just bought my custom made ds,and i bought mario kart for the ds, but i dont know how to do any thing with wifi.
i searched for an access point, but it said access points's security settings are not supported,and i dont know what it means please help me out!
*does puppy eyes*
-MICHAEL

Posted by: michael at May 13, 2008 7:38 PM

How can you make a movie small enough to fit onto the Max Media Player for Nintendo DS Lite?

Posted by: Derek Trevino at May 15, 2008 10:14 PM

i need internet for my ds but i dont have any equipment stuff can i still get it??????????????:(

Posted by: caitie988 at May 16, 2008 10:10 PM

HOW DO I GET INTERENT ON MY NINTENDO DS WITHOUT ANY VIDEO GAMES I ONLY WANT THE INTERNET SO I CAN ACCESS WEBSITES CAN YOU TELL ME HOW I CAN DO THAT ???.....PLEASE EMAIL ME
THANK YOU Please i really need to knw how to do it take me thre the steps plz

Posted by: anecia at June 5, 2008 12:38 PM

hi my names andrew and i just got pokemon diamond and im trying to connect i went to nintendo WFC settings then i went to nintendo wi fi connection settings then i searched for an acces point and i got one in my home cos i have wirless internet and it said to test it so i did and it came up with error code 51300 unable to connect to the acces point comfirm nintendo WFC connection settings and acces point settings. could u plz comment back beacause it would be way easier if u explained it out to me step by step thank you

Posted by: andrew at June 8, 2008 9:12 PM

how do you connect to internet!!!!!!!

Posted by: gabriel at June 24, 2008 2:41 PM

I entered every thing and it still won't work.

Posted by: bob at June 26, 2008 5:16 PM

although i dont have this game, i was intrested in this article because i want to know how to connect to the internet for pokemon diamond

Posted by: cleo at June 28, 2008 11:55 PM

Well, i think you buy a special USB thing for your ds. ( without a game ) I think i saw one of those in an electronics store.

P.S. : HOw do u get internet for ur ds with new super mario bros game? Thanks.

Posted by: Nelly at June 29, 2008 11:53 AM

hi
i want to connect my ds to the internet
i have all the equipment, but when i try connect, it comes up with error code: 52100
i ave tried everything!
could you please help!
thankyou

Posted by: kin at July 5, 2008 9:45 PM

how do i connect to internet on my ds?

Posted by: catherine at July 7, 2008 12:18 PM

PLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEAAAAASSS TELL ME HOW TO GET ON WIFI FOR POKEMON DIMOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS A MILLION

Posted by: mame at July 16, 2008 6:39 PM

how do i get internet on my nintendo so i could surf the net????
please e-mail me ASAP

Posted by: julieanne at July 21, 2008 2:21 AM

plz plz plz PLZ how do you get your internet on your nintendo plz tell me how

Posted by: grainne at July 24, 2008 1:08 PM

please give it to me i really want one so bad.

Posted by: daneka at July 30, 2008 5:19 PM

Plz can u tell me how to get he internet on my ninendo ds wih out using a game Plz rePly asaP

Posted by: david marsh at August 17, 2008 5:05 AM

It seems no one knows how to spell anymore.

Posted by: Vincent Rhodes at August 20, 2008 11:57 PM

wot do i need to get the internet onto my nintendo ds do i need a usb cable nd if i do how do i send the internet to my ds?

Posted by: hasan at August 25, 2008 12:48 PM

The nintendo ds does NOT have a web browser so you cant go on internet to look only on games

The wii has a browser but you have to pay for it 400 points

If you cant get you ds online with the wii your router uses wpa the ds is only good with wep

If you have a look on ebay and the nintendo site there are ds cartredigs (sorry for spelling) that act an an internet explorer for ds called ds explorer that are around £10-£30 pounds also come with a mem gba card to store all the info on.

if you need more help dpwilko@yahoo.co.uk
thanks daniel

Posted by: Daniel at August 26, 2008 9:01 AM

you can also use this for animal crossing :)

Posted by: emily at August 28, 2008 11:06 AM

how do i connect to my wireless without a game, an talk to people or go on the internet, either 1 let me know asap

Posted by: calvin at September 11, 2008 9:44 AM

hi dave im just writing to say thatr how can you get internet on your nintendo ds lite?

Posted by: sumaia at September 30, 2008 1:08 PM

HOW DO I GET INTERENT ON MY NINTENDO DS WITHOUT ANY VIDEO GAMES I ONLY WANT THE INTERNET SO I CAN ACCESS WEBSITES CAN YOU TELL ME HOW I CAN DO THAT ???.....PLEASE EMAIL ME
THANK YOU

Posted by: Zack at October 5, 2008 3:19 AM

i need to no how to put my ds online well play games Anyway ..........., i wanna play animal crossing online

Posted by: CHRISSY at October 5, 2008 1:39 PM

smarty that is for the wii

Posted by: zac at October 7, 2008 4:33 PM

Can someone plz help me when I search for a access point i get my network and then i put in my wep key but it says its wroung then I go to manuualy set up and I do everything there and it still doenst work what must I do geez

Posted by: AB at October 15, 2008 5:26 PM

Dear dave

how can you go on the internet with the ds without a game and use
just the internet

Posted by: Elijah Francek at October 19, 2008 11:07 AM

I have everythig right but I cant connect it says it haves a error code What do I have to do?

Posted by: Juan Manuel at October 19, 2008 12:57 PM

how do i get internet for ds when igot pokemon email me a.s.a.p please

Posted by: zachery at October 25, 2008 9:15 AM

I have a ds and i want to know how to get internet on it? I know i can just buy a web
browser on Ebay for $45.00 but, I want internet
everywhere, not just in HotSpots.HELP ME PLZ.
i hope you email me.

Posted by: Jeff at October 30, 2008 7:03 AM

Please tell me how to get wi-fi on pokemon pearl.

Posted by: rerarder at November 1, 2008 12:30 PM

umm im trying to go on the ds internet browser without going and buying the game and adaptor is it possible that you can download it on your nintendo ds lite

Posted by: lucas at November 2, 2008 10:29 PM

Hi

Please can you help me...My Dad bought a re router yedterday and his laptop works fine but i cannot connect my Nintendo DS to the interent.

Get error code 52100 and looked it up and tried loads of stuff but still not working.
Have tried IP address with adding 10 etc but just keeps saying "connected to the access point but unable to connect to server".

What should i do?

many thnask

Seb

Posted by: Sebastian Hurst-Palmer at November 8, 2008 2:59 AM

i did all the steps and it want work so can you help me i've got spectrobes beyond the portal so e-mail me A.S.A.P.

Posted by: tre at November 8, 2008 6:56 PM

Do you know when the new ds lite I is coming out in Ireland? Also dont know if i have the name right. Thanks

Posted by: Deirdre Mohan at November 16, 2008 9:08 AM

There is a game called 'Nintendo DS Browser' OR 'Nintendo DS Lite Browser' depending on what DS you have. Without an SD Card (On which you can get a Homebrew browser) its impossible without that game.

Posted by: Maxi at November 29, 2008 7:56 AM

hey please guys couldu tell me how to surf on the net without a game...

Posted by: khoonal at December 7, 2008 5:32 AM

how do i get internet for my nintendo ds

Posted by: justin at December 7, 2008 1:27 PM

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW DO I GET INTERNET ON MY NINTENDO DS.
AND HOW I COULD CONNECT A PHONE ON IT TO.
PLEASE & THAMK-YOU
BYE

Posted by: Vick at December 17, 2008 5:07 PM

hi

my router does not use WEP, all my PC,s are wirelessly connected to the internet via router, will I be able to get my ds online (WITH A WIFI ADAPTER) if so how please.

many thanks

Posted by: M.T.Richards at December 18, 2008 10:09 AM

hi i have just got an old not a lite ds works fine 2 things can i connect to the internet and can i get a flash card (rav4)thanks jackie

Posted by: jackie at December 22, 2008 10:12 AM

yeah i did the same thing and when it does work it says connection succesful and it just goes back to manual setup i don't know what to do next.

Posted by: celia at December 24, 2008 4:02 PM

i loved it it works finally but what am i supposed to do with it now?

Posted by: happy joyful at December 25, 2008 9:13 AM

hi. How do i put internet to my nintendo ds?
i have the nintendogs and the new mario bros. game
but do i need another game to access internet??
plz email me asap if you know.
THANKS bye

Posted by: mirandaaii at December 25, 2008 3:48 PM

How do you connect to Allspark Wars without Wireless Internet

Posted by: Lachlan at December 27, 2008 12:04 AM

Are you all a bunch of idiots? READ WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID A MILLION TIMES!!!

Posted by: Daz at December 27, 2008 11:02 AM

How do i get multiplayer to work on my nintendo ds games?

Posted by: Evan at December 27, 2008 8:29 PM

what if its a gray lock

Posted by: sokka25 at January 1, 2009 7:02 AM

well to get on the internet you now won of those cables that most cell phones are charged with will push that wire to the place were you charge yuor ds then put the wire with a wire then can go on the computer like a usb cord and wallow go on your nintendo ds and theres another part that ill put on later. because i forgot it

Posted by: katie at January 1, 2009 9:09 PM

i found a blue padlock but it wont let me in for some reason .

Posted by: gabby satural at January 4, 2009 9:05 AM

My network is setup as WPA2. I've googled WEP v WPA and it says WPA is more secure, so I'm a bit afraid to change my security settings. Is it true that WEP is less secure? Can I also advise people not to set their there WiFi settings to OPEN as this will allow anyone with a WiFi enabled PC to access their home network.

Posted by: Jimbo at January 6, 2009 6:29 AM

OK people. Here is info for all of you who want to access the internet on your DS.

Now to begin, the DS does come with a built-in 802.11b WiFi card, just like the ones in the older laptops that first came out with built-in wifi. So if you already have a wireless network with a computer working able to browse the internet, technically it should be possible to connect to an existing wireless network with the DS without additional hadware. However there are some caveats that may cause this not to be true (mostly due to the DS having older hardware and is the same issue if you had an older laptop you would have problems connecting to a newer wireless network):

1) First off, you can not configure the DS' wifi by itself without buying either a network capable game or the DS Internet Browser cartridge. For whatever reason (to make more money??) Nintendo did not put in a configuration screen for the wifi in the settings screens of the unit itself. You have buy one of the 79 network capable games (http://www.nintendo.com/games/wifi/ds) and configure wifi within a game. Or, you can buy the DS Internet browser for $100 to get to the wifi configuration. Which brings up another issue is that the DS does not come installed with a browser (the new DSi will have all this built-in I've read). So if you want to browse websites on the internet in any case, then you HAVE to buy the browser cartridge (unless you want to hack your DS, which I know nothing about).

2) Now regarding getting connected to wireless, notice that the card is an 802.11b<<< version which is an older wireless version. So just like a laptop that was purchased years ago, the DS will not work with newer Wifi versions such as 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, etc. Your wireless network or your router that you get MUST also support 802.11b. This capability depends on your hardware. Most newer wireless routers I have seen support this older version, but there are so many different brands that you have to check carefully. If it does not support 802.11b, then you will have to buy another wirelss router that does or buy a work around from Nintendo (#5 described below).

3) Another issue due to the older wifi card in the DS is that it will only support **WEP** security/passwords. Newer wireless routers supports WPA, WPA2, etc which the DS wifi does NOT recognize. Again WEP support depends on your wireless router and if (luckily) your wireless router supports WEP also, then you have to figure out how to enable it in the router configuration. Again this depends on each router since each brand have different ways of configuration. So it is not possible to give generic directions. Now it is true that WEP is an older version and less secure than WPA, but that is your decision if you want to enable or not, depending on how important you consider your network/data and how much you REALLY want to get the DS online. If you do decide to go ahead and figure how to enable WEP, the only thing you need to remember is the password you enter for this setting which is also known as the WEP key. This is what you enter into the DS. NOTE: this password is not the same one you use to LOGIN into your wireless router to do the configuration.

The only other item that may be useful is the SSID, which is just the name of wifi network you specify. But you most likely won't need it because when you request the DS to search for networks, the network name should show up in the list.

4) So if you happen to have both 802.11b and WEP already for your wifi, and have a laptop/desktop already on your network, then just use the same settings as the computers. If you do not remember or know the WEP key/password, then you will need to figure out how to change it in your brand of router (which also means you have to re-enter in your other computers that have wireless already set up). Call tech support for your wireless router to figure it out or call your technically inclined friend to do it.

5) Now for those who for whatever reason can not get BOTH 802.11b and WEP on your wirelss router or don't want to mess around with your existing setup, then all is not lost and your last option is to get the DS/Wii Wifi USB Adapter from Nintendo for $40. Basically you plug this USB stick into a computer that already has an internet connection and run the software that comes with this. This **magically** allows your DS to piggyback onto your computer's inernet connection.

Well, I hope this info is useful for someone to get their DS enabled. I just found this thread and felt sorry for all the confused people.

Posted by: Jack at January 8, 2009 6:21 PM

my mario kart ds wifi connection isnt working can u fix it

Posted by: tyfiz at January 11, 2009 12:26 PM

i have high speed internet so i use WEP. i got that done but on my laptop wat to i do? do i go on a certain website because i DS catches the siganl but wat do i do next?

Posted by: patel at January 15, 2009 2:13 PM

HOW DO I GET INTERENT ON MY NINTENDO DS WITHOUT ANY VIDEO GAMES I ONLY WANT THE INTERNET SO I CAN ACCESS WEBSITES CAN YOU TELL ME HOW I CAN DO THAT ???.....PLEASE EMAIL ME
THANK YOU

Posted by: ayesha at January 18, 2009 7:04 PM

How do I get the internet on my DS

Posted by: marie at January 21, 2009 9:13 PM

everytime i get connection it say's error code 51030 and some different numbers too.....how do i do it

Posted by: elmar at January 27, 2009 5:27 PM

i am able to download games from the internet but i am not able to open them, it always says:computer is not able to open file.
why is that???

Posted by: gil at February 7, 2009 12:09 AM

how do i get a wep code and do I need a wirless router to connect or can i just use wifi. because i have a point but I dont know how to unlock it the lock is red. i am trying toget on pokemon diamond

Posted by: lizerd at February 7, 2009 7:08 AM

How do you put internet on a Nintendo DS

Posted by: junny at February 9, 2009 4:35 PM

ITS NOT WORKING I HAV NO ACCESS POINTS AND I WANNA DO IT FOR ANIMAL CROSSING IT SUX LIKE MAD!!!! SOME1 EMAIL ME TO HELP ME...plz :(

Posted by: heids at February 21, 2009 10:36 PM

HOW DO I GET INTERNET ON MY NINTENDO DS WITHOUT ANY VIDEO GAMES I ONLY WANT THE INTERNET SO I CAN ACCESS WEBSITES CAN YOU TELL ME HOW I CAN DO THAT ???

Posted by: shadow at February 28, 2009 1:16 PM

so how do i kno it will works and its not a fake?

Posted by: deathsoul192 at March 3, 2009 3:47 PM

how do i get wi fi for animal crossing wild world???????????


Please email me the answer!!!

Posted by: Adam at March 5, 2009 12:27 PM

hey D

how do you get internet on nintendo DS without any games like Google

Posted by: Lain at March 13, 2009 10:30 AM

Hi tim my name is lakeshia and i was just wondering how do you download software from the computer to the nintendo ds because my daughter and i seem to be having difficulties. Write back if you can. THANKS!!!

Posted by: lakeshia hayes at March 17, 2009 12:27 PM

hi

Posted by: phillip at March 18, 2009 10:31 PM

Dave i need to know how to get internet browser on my nds with a game card

Posted by: James at March 29, 2009 3:06 PM

can you get on a website like addctinggames for instance

Posted by: al at March 29, 2009 5:12 PM

PLease help me and show me how to put internet and open the internet wiht out using hrad things


please email me

Posted by: david at March 31, 2009 8:44 PM

hi i dont know how to get the internet to my dsi do you need a blue tooth to get the internet can you please send back to me on j.e.ss@live.com.au thanx

Posted by: jess at April 3, 2009 3:18 AM

i would like to know if its possiable to go on runescape the massive online adventure game on my ds on a road trip or somthing?i u can plaese email me

Posted by: brendan at April 5, 2009 1:42 PM

i was wondering if its possiable to play runescape the massive online adventure game on my ds? if it is please email me.

Posted by: brendan at April 5, 2009 1:44 PM

can u get wifi on a ds without a wireless internet connection

Posted by: lewis at April 6, 2009 4:46 AM

For all u people that want internet on ur ds and saying u dont want to buy a card i have news for u have to buy a card

Posted by: Craig at April 6, 2009 1:57 PM

how do i get internet on my nintendo ds without a game

Posted by: thomas at April 6, 2009 3:55 PM

HEY I WAS WOUNDERING HOW TO U GET WHERE U CAN CHAT WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD ON PICTO CHAT BECAUSE I WAS WOUNDERING HOW THAT U DO

Posted by: MARLINDA at April 6, 2009 7:05 PM

PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO CONECT MY NITENDO DS TO THE INTERNET FOR OPENING WEB SITES!! PLEASE EMAIL ME

Posted by: HAMZA at April 10, 2009 6:03 AM

I AM 59 YEARS OLD I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS NINTENDO DSI WHAT ELSE BESIDES THE UNIT DO I NEED TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET I AM A DUMMY HERE THANKS MEME

Posted by: MEME at April 11, 2009 5:24 PM

I'm getting a router soon and I need to know if theres any wires that your supposed to connect your nintendo with, it would really help alot! Thanks!

Posted by: Ashley at April 16, 2009 9:30 AM

Iwant to know how i can get my intendo ds game on the computer

Posted by: rashaunda at April 18, 2009 2:02 PM

I got wi-fi on my competer but the thing is is that I don't have the thing to get wi-fi for my DS for pokemon platinum

Posted by: Bryson at May 8, 2009 7:34 PM

P.s. HELP ME!
p.s.s. what is an AOSS?
p.s.s.s. thank you all!

Posted by: Bryson at May 9, 2009 9:04 AM

hi there well i got a ds and i got the new pomoen game and it can connect to the world put i dont know my wep key please tell me how to find my wep key i would be realy happy :)

Posted by: abdul at May 11, 2009 1:55 PM

how do i get internet on my dsi

Posted by: amy at May 17, 2009 4:04 AM

where is the center where they do it for you?

Posted by: vicky at May 25, 2009 7:55 AM

i need help connecting my wifi for the internet
can u help

email me

Posted by: sydney at May 30, 2009 12:22 PM

hello,

i read what yo said above and unfortunately i have the gray padlock, meaning the security is not liked by my ds.

do you have any idea how i can get my ds to connect to the system, or how i can change the system so that the ds can acually lock on.

thanks

Posted by: als at June 1, 2009 8:36 AM

this is way too much to read. it will take an hour!!

Posted by: kia at June 7, 2009 5:48 PM

Ok i have the game club penguin elite force thing and i wanto get free stuff Hoow Casan i do it

Posted by: Confused gal at June 8, 2009 1:58 PM

Hey Dave, Can you tell me how to connect to wifi because i have an access point called talktalkkkce5 and i don't have the wep key can you tell me the wep key please

Posted by: Zubair Maqsood at June 10, 2009 8:20 AM

We have done everything you said so can you send us more reasons please to help us get on the internet Thankyou by Shannon and Louis

Posted by: Shannon And Louis at June 10, 2009 12:34 PM

How do I get my ds lite to go on to the internet? please email me how. i was thinking about getting a dsi but not sure if i should, because my mom and dad just baught them for me and my sister, and I really feel bad about selling it on ebay.

Posted by: Avery at June 11, 2009 7:37 PM

Wow people. Do you think that asking the same questions over and over...and OVER again will magically reveal the answers?

Posted by: Ammused at June 13, 2009 1:41 PM

I NEED THE INTERNET ON MY DS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: selina1320 at June 13, 2009 8:19 PM

i have no clue on how to connect my clubpenguin elite forces soo i can go into the secret room

Posted by: johnae at June 14, 2009 2:58 PM

Hi Dave,
I can access the internet using advance settings on the DSi when i want on wireless, when i try to access the Nintendo WFC in Pokemon platinum, it says it can't access the site. The padlock is then grey. I have tried entering my WEP etc but it still will not pick up the wireless. I have since found out that Nintendo wifi adapter which they suggested can't be used on a mac. So i can't use that method. For info i use a Bt Homehub 2 to connect to the internet.
Your help would be appreciated.

Posted by: char at June 17, 2009 1:29 PM

how do i get internet on my ninetendo ds without any games

Posted by: miguel at June 24, 2009 2:06 PM

hey....i bought nitendo ds i....so can you please tell me how can i put internet in it?please tell me its verry important.....
P.C.:i am from greece so maybe my english are not so good......................

Posted by: ioanna... at June 26, 2009 7:36 AM

Regarding More Brain Training for the Nintendo DS Lite. In the "Correct Change" game I cannot figure it out. The money on mine is in pounds sterling. It shows an amount at the top in pounds, then below is shown a five pound note. If it says 2pounds at the top then I assume I should give change of 3pounds, and so on. But my answers are always incorrect. So, what am I doing wrong? Please help. Is there any way to change the denomination of the money to Australian dollars? Thanks in advance!

Posted by: Jacquie at June 29, 2009 10:32 PM

Hey dave i really want to know everything about getting the internet on my ds cus i jus found dat i can get the internet! so please respond o and can u get the whole internet with acess to any website thanku respond ya digg

Posted by: cloe at July 18, 2009 2:12 AM

can u please teach me the steps to get internet on my dsi i got it 1 week ago

Posted by: luis at July 20, 2009 11:49 PM

I dont know how i work the internet and how to download games and music.

Posted by: amanda at July 25, 2009 10:15 AM

my computer can receive wifi but when i try to do what your site tells me to do it almost does it but then says it cant set it up.

Posted by: Nick at August 11, 2009 10:20 PM

how can I get internet without using a game?

Posted by: jenny at August 13, 2009 11:59 AM

how do i get on the internet on my ds without using a game? HOW?! I'm anxouis to know!

Posted by: Sarah at August 13, 2009 7:15 PM

Dave my bro got a psp and he is 6 so he he accedantly put a password in and he dont remember wat it is. can u help cause he cant play games of nothing!:(

Posted by: Jasmine at August 18, 2009 3:50 PM

how do you get that blue lock on wi fi

Posted by: Martynas at September 22, 2009 2:38 PM

My Nintendo DSi Shop will allow me to access the internet but immediatly asks me to update it then states that it can't update due to error. I'm using a usb d-link for wi-fi should this work?

Posted by: Brandon at September 27, 2009 2:57 AM

can we get on the internet and surch the web

Posted by: ally at October 3, 2009 2:34 PM

yo itz Jayson i really need to know how to connect to the internet cuz i have a game and i want to play with other playerz

Posted by: jayson at October 3, 2009 8:33 PM

You said that it won't work on grey, all of mine are grey except one. it's yellow. what does yellow mean!?!?!?!

Posted by: manda at October 6, 2009 2:07 AM

PLEASE oh please my ds lite isnt gonna work...and im sad and anoyed...

Posted by: Isabella at October 16, 2009 5:44 PM

i just brought a new naruto game card for my dsi but an error comes stating that :an error occured
please turn off by holding power bottonand reffer the manual for trouble shooting.

Posted by: abhinav at October 20, 2009 4:51 AM

hey, I tried to use my school´s wifi, when it shows me all the possible acces 1 appears and it has all the signal, then i input the pasword and all correct, but when is testing it says there is an error and could not connect to wifi. So if you could email me telling what the problem would be.. i would be very happy

Posted by: Tom ATKINSON at October 28, 2009 6:34 AM

Hello. Jeeezzh what people are shouting in here.

Anyways, does someone know how I can browse and play music from my local network? Not internet, but from my own Windows PC server.

The web site is for DS Organize, an easy way to web browse with the DS.

Niclas

Posted by: Niclas Kårlin at October 30, 2009 1:03 PM

HI THERE WHAT IS THE DS INTERNET GOOD FOR ANY WAY I HAVE BOTH THE DS AND DSI AT LEAST ON THE DSI YOU HAVE THE DSI SHOP TOO DOWNLOAD GAMES APPS

Posted by: james braselton at November 9, 2009 10:18 AM

IDK ABOUT THIS STUPID NINTENDO DS INTERNET I GOT PASSED EVERYTHING BUT IDK BOUT THE WEP I DONT KNOW WHAT THAT HECK THAT IS HELP ME SOMEBODY PLZ!!

Posted by: KIERSTEN at November 11, 2009 5:37 PM

i need help big time. they ask for a practice test. and you can only pres ok. what do i do? I have the blue lock everything works but when i have that nothing works. I cant have friends!

Posted by: sk8board77 at November 13, 2009 11:36 AM

hi i carnt get internet on my ds using the mario and sonic nd th olimpic games will you help me

Posted by: donna at November 15, 2009 12:32 AM

hi dave,
i was wondering, if you get Wifi on your DS,
can you get on different websites? like facebook and myspace or meebo? thanks,

Posted by: Han-Nuh at November 24, 2009 4:57 AM

Hi..um i wanna get on DGamer, but my DSlite wont get concted..... And i dont know where the access point is.. Can u plz help?????? PLZ???:(

Posted by: oLiViA<3 at November 26, 2009 11:01 AM

where do get NINTENDO Wi-Fi

Posted by: Alexandra at November 30, 2009 3:44 PM

how can i fix the settings on my tv so i can browse the internet from my wii without having to zoom in and out ..the text is so wide and fuzzy
i am using LG 42' wide screen
i try to put the settings on standard but its the same ....please advice

Posted by: lara at December 7, 2009 4:43 PM

how can i get an internet wier for my dsi

Posted by: max at December 9, 2009 4:54 PM

My rouder does not have a password, but when I'm setting up internet into my Nintendo DSi, it says I do have a password for it. What should I do?

Posted by: Josie at December 19, 2009 11:41 PM

YOU DIDNOT HELP.I DID WHAT YOU SAID AND ALL 3 BOXES SAID SETUP COMPLETE THEN I DID CONNETION TEST AND IT SAID ERROR 05300-1

Posted by: shannon at December 25, 2009 12:14 PM

how can a connet my nintendo ds to internet . i what to play games so if you p..z tell me so i can get on internet.please tell me as soon all posible

Posted by: esmeralda at December 25, 2009 1:17 PM

can you tell me the steps were and were do i need to go so i coa connet internet

Posted by: esmeralda at December 25, 2009 1:29 PM

i can do what you tell me i dont get it can you explain more

Posted by: esmeralda at December 25, 2009 1:33 PM

show me the steps please

Posted by: esmeralda at December 25, 2009 1:46 PM

it says error code 0513111

Posted by: meli at December 25, 2009 1:50 PM

show me step my step dont get it and i what to have internet

Posted by: me at December 25, 2009 1:52 PM

help me more it says rroor code 0513101

Posted by: esmmeralda at December 25, 2009 2:01 PM

how do i get a code

Posted by: same at December 25, 2009 2:08 PM

?

Posted by: evanewti at December 27, 2009 2:12 AM

i want to contect my ds to the computer

Posted by: eva at December 27, 2009 2:14 AM

How do i get a WEP Code For The internet if nobody knows it (for the DS lite)

Posted by: Jaden at December 27, 2009 3:46 PM

How do i connect to internet on my dsi? i have a tmobile broadband usb. can that be used to connect to the internet?

Posted by: charlene at December 28, 2009 8:28 AM

Jaden, a WEP code is something that's part of the wireless base station configuration: if you can see a closed network, you'd need to ask the person who owns that hardware for the WEP. It's going to be a 10-12 digit sequence like AF939C05983 or similar (though sometimes it's just a word or two, which is a lot easier!)

Charlene, the DSi and the other Nintendo DS family members only work with a wireless Internet connection, so your T-Mobile broadband USB is, I'm guessing, tied to a cellphone or similar? If so, it's not going to work. Sorry.

Posted by: Dave Taylor at December 28, 2009 8:34 AM

Will a USB wifi adapter allow me to play my ds lite on the WFC network if my home router is not setup with a WEP encryption?

Posted by: Tiffany at December 29, 2009 9:45 AM

I DID EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID AND IT SAID ERROR CODE 52000

Posted by: Jason at December 30, 2009 7:32 AM

How do i get on the internet without games??

Posted by: kurt white at December 30, 2009 11:50 PM

ok people, im 12 years old and i want it 2 but, there is a website with 8 steps, i will try that but my dad will have to see it first. the website is"

http://www.wikihow.com/Browse-the-Internet-on-Your-Nintendo-DS

try that

Posted by: i have the answer at January 1, 2010 3:54 PM

My Ds lite cable is in my computer but it is not reacting. Can you please help me.

Posted by: chris at January 2, 2010 5:08 PM

i cant unlock my red padlock its says need to be another password but its not other password for it please help me

Posted by: I NEED HELP at January 3, 2010 3:52 AM

Hellos.
I've been trying so hard to connect to the internet on my Nintendo DSi but it just won't work.
Whenever I go to System Settings and to Internet and connect it to an access point it won't even work a bit.
There are two grey keypad locks and one gold keypad lock but its not unlocked it theres no way my DSi will connect to the internet.
Please Help me :'(

Posted by: Ploy at January 10, 2010 11:47 PM

how do u connet the internet? need a 1000000000 help like 911

Posted by: laysha at January 12, 2010 5:14 PM

how do i get internet explorer on ds. and how do i know what or where the w.e.p. password is

Posted by: jackson freels at February 3, 2010 7:20 PM

Hey guys ummm just wondering nintendo ds if u can go on internet with the game New super mario bros. Plz reply if u can go on internet with ppl. Thx Oh and just to say to jackson freels, you can go on internet with dsi and i cant get one :( :mrgreen:

Posted by: Mr dude at February 6, 2010 9:53 AM

my dsi i keeps sayinging i have an error what do i do?

Posted by: kali at February 8, 2010 7:20 PM

how do i connect?

Posted by: owen at February 11, 2010 5:02 AM

Dave can you please help me how do i connect to the internet on my ds for my Nintendo dog best friend
or with out one of games please reply back when read
reply back at my email

Posted by: ISABEL at February 25, 2010 3:40 PM

It is so easy to get wifi in your "dslite"
just start à game wich has wifi access then searh for à access point and then look if you have THE blue lock if you have That just click on it clear. If you have grey lock simple just give them your wep key and done if you have à red lock then forget it your router has à to Good security

Posted by: Buddy at February 27, 2010 1:56 AM

How do I get internet on my DS

Posted by: jordyn at March 11, 2010 6:12 PM

I know i entered in the correct WEP for my internet on the DS, but it still says thats it's incorrect... How can i fix this problem?

Posted by: Jonny at March 15, 2010 3:24 PM

what do i do to get on the stupid first red flag on super mario bros. in world 4

Posted by: ripseee324 at March 17, 2010 3:39 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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