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":

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).

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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Categorized: iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help (Article 5956, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: burnout legends ds, nintendo, nintendo ds
Previous: Will the Nintendo DS really have free game downloads?
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Reader Comments To Date: 297

Dave Taylor said, on December 28, 2009 8:34 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.

Tiffany said, on December 29, 2009 9:45 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?

Jason said, on December 30, 2009 7:32 AM:

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

kurt white said, on December 30, 2009 11:50 PM:

How do i get on the internet without games??

i have the answer said, on January 1, 2010 3:54 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

chris said, on January 2, 2010 5:08 PM:

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

I NEED HELP said, on January 3, 2010 3:52 AM:

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

Ploy said, on January 10, 2010 11:47 PM:

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 :'(

laysha said, on January 12, 2010 5:14 PM:

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

jackson freels said, on February 3, 2010 7:20 PM:

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

Mr dude said, on February 6, 2010 9:53 AM:

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:

kali said, on February 8, 2010 7:20 PM:

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

owen said, on February 11, 2010 5:02 AM:

how do i connect?

ISABEL said, on February 25, 2010 3:40 PM:

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

Buddy said, on February 27, 2010 1:56 AM:

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

jordyn said, on March 11, 2010 6:12 PM:

How do I get internet on my DS

Jonny said, on March 15, 2010 3:24 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?

ripseee324 said, on March 17, 2010 3:39 PM:

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

Alyssa said, on March 21, 2010 9:26 AM:

All of my acsess are locked and now i dont have inernet on my dsi!!!!!

Hailey said, on March 25, 2010 8:59 PM:

Can I even send things to my Nintendo D.S.???

tomoslee said, on March 26, 2010 7:24 AM:

i cant get it to work to today

ryan bath said, on April 4, 2010 4:18 AM:

hi how do i get nintendo dsi wi fi becaluse i have a game could pokemon platnim and i want to trade a pokemon so how do i do it pleaz tell me

chantal said, on April 8, 2010 1:11 PM:

canm you plz tell me whow to get internet on my ds without ooking any wires up

Hailey said, on April 10, 2010 9:43 AM:

Do you Know how to connect my dsi to internet because i called went on ever website and it didi not help me so can you tell me or than you are a lier because ever one is telling you how to connect your dsi to internet but you do not replay so you are a dumb butt

hope said, on April 13, 2010 5:13 PM:

On my DS, the game pokemon heartgold can use Wi-fi, but every time I "test connection" an error (51300) comes up. PLEASE HELP!!!

Cameron bishop said, on April 22, 2010 6:37 PM:

hello there, i continue to get an error everytime i try to connect to my router, it says it cant pick up the ip adress for some reasome. if you could please help me with this problem.

Marina said, on May 2, 2010 8:45 AM:

hi I bought the pokeman platimum game abroad for my son but the problem is he can't read the instructions or any thing else because it's in japanese is there a game translation download I can use to translate the instructions of the game to english...PLS HELP!!!!

mika angelika said, on May 8, 2010 7:27 PM:

can we get internet without the game??

Baylor said, on May 13, 2010 4:13 PM:

can you please tell me how to get wifi connection on my ds lite without a wifi card

Mars Jenkar said, on May 18, 2010 10:36 PM:

Ugh...this means that I have to switch my wireless security to WEP every time I want to connect my DS, and back to WPA when I'm done? What a hassle! GG, Nintendo.

Jakob said, on May 23, 2010 1:12 PM:

Well, i've got a nintendo dsi and i've already connected it to the internet, but i've found out that nintedo WFC is seperate and has a lower defence- reading capability , I found THAT out when I tried to connect to the sky router at home, the router uses wpa2 as a password, and I was using the pokemon soulsilver game in my dsi to try and use WFC. But it's a grey padlock and can't be used for WFC. Is it possible to connect to that router, then, without a nintendo Wi- Fi usb connector, because i'm only 11 and my mum won't get me one???

Brandon said, on May 25, 2010 8:56 AM:

well that dosent solve the grey lock is there a way you can make it blue?

Daniel said, on May 26, 2010 1:44 PM:

Hi! I did it! I have been trying to connect my NDSi for some days, I just changed the B+G setting to B, and it worked! Obviously you have to enter WEP, IP, DNS servers manually on the ds. The DNS servers are not the ones shown in ipconfig /all, but the ones in the modem configuration page.
I can help you do that if you are still having trouble. Write back, hokanokoto @ hotmail.com

Ben said, on June 1, 2010 12:56 PM:

I have a red paddlock and I can't find my wep key.....I know the password to it but for some reason that didnt work help plz

carly estelle garcia said, on June 4, 2010 8:42 PM:

hey i just got verizon fios and now i have wifi, and i want to go on the internet on my ds, i only have one game lol "mario 64" can i go on it from there or do i have to get the tony hawk game lol(: cus, yeah. aha :)

kody said, on June 6, 2010 12:24 AM:

how do you get on the dsi shop my dsi wont let me do you need wifi

jamescampbell said, on June 28, 2010 12:06 PM:

i alwase geting wifi but does not work and i return it please help me

alex said, on July 8, 2010 7:38 AM:

no matter what i do,IT JUST WONT CONNECT

max said, on July 8, 2010 2:12 PM:

how can i BROWSE the internet, like go to yahoo

mrs.awesome said, on July 13, 2010 1:53 PM:

i have the dsi but i got my mom to help me connect it.
i have a question:
ok so i have a dgamer ( disney gamer ) its a thing on disney channel where u can chat with other ppl from ur ds. so, it was connecting to my wi-fi just fine then it stoped connecting and i went to the settings to see if i could connect it again and eraced all the settings by mistake and now when i put the settings back the way i had them it still wont connect to the wi-fi connection. i have no idea how to connect it back but the weird thing is that i can still connect to the internet from my dsi just not the wi-fi connection. but plz if u know how to get it connected to the wi-fi connection again plz tell me.
thx

dizt3mp3r said, on July 26, 2010 5:33 PM:

My Goodness, you are almost ALL stupid, none of you seem to be able to string a sentence together, except of course Jack.

First of all, you need to use your eyes and read the intelligent help available on this page. Try to absorb it, it is quite clear. Then, if you have any questions you need to phrase them in such a way that they can be understood.

You should spell things correctly and try to form sentences. This way people can understand you.

Ye Gods!

dragon said, on July 29, 2010 4:29 PM:

how do you get on the wifi with a game call pokemon heartgold

susan said, on August 6, 2010 7:29 AM:

how do i setup wifi on my Nintendo ds

jordan said, on August 19, 2010 6:49 PM:

can sum1 plz tell me how to put wifi on the original ds without a game i just got it and cant afford a game right now so just email at treasureful@live.com please.

farhad said, on August 26, 2010 9:38 AM:

himy name is farhad ahmed please help me to conecat yo my wifi i got n ds liteplease send me a message

emily said, on September 6, 2010 2:32 PM:

i dont kow how to get my internet on mine

emily said, on September 6, 2010 2:36 PM:

i still dont know how to get the internet on my dsi

kayla said, on September 12, 2010 10:11 PM:

wats a wep key i have a diffrent game

scott said, on September 19, 2010 10:44 AM:

aup there plz help us out ere, im tryin to get dsi wifi for my game fifa 10, it worked for my other games but not this one, on this it has a gray lock and ive tries nintendo support but it doesnt seem to help plz help us wot do i do to get the wifi for my game? cheers m8 wbs

jessica said, on September 26, 2010 2:48 PM:

ok well i know how to conect to the internet from my dsi and i was wondering of theres anything i need before i can even connect DAVE please help me!!!

blubber said, on September 29, 2010 5:48 AM:

i see a lot of people here asking for a free lunch. well, let me point this out: there aint no such thing as a free lunch.

James said, on October 6, 2010 12:05 AM:

On the acsess point there will be a button press the button when you go on the push the button thingy
I did it and it work's

Ben said, on November 21, 2010 8:24 PM:

I did what you said and it worked but i Have a red padlock and i dont know how to find the WEP code to my access point?

woody_1869 said, on December 21, 2010 12:45 PM:

Im new to all this so bear with me if this has been posted brfore, IF you are useing a newer BELKIN wireless router and trying to connect your nintendo ds lite / dsi to it you must create a guest account on thr router, enable it and select WEP for type. nintendo does noes not support WPA type then simply copy the password into you DS...

woody_1869 said, on December 21, 2010 12:48 PM:

sry for the spelling i just got excited...lol... also this must all be done on the router, there will be a options bar on the left side of the page...

junior said, on December 25, 2010 9:30 AM:

hi im a kid right and my cod black opps dunt work and my club penguin dunt let me on line why

Dave Taylor said, on December 25, 2010 9:45 AM:

Heya Junior! I think the problem you're encountering with Club Penguin online is that the DS browser doesn't support Flash, which is used in a ton of those sort of sites.

More info from Nintendo:

http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/dslite/browser.jsp

Jacob said, on December 26, 2010 7:16 PM:

I know how to get a internet. If you have a Connection go to your DS and click System Settings click internet and then click Search for an Access Point take someones internet that is unlocked and good go to Web and it will take you there!

hannah said, on December 30, 2010 8:51 AM:

i like nentendo dsi because you can get the internet
and get more games

josh said, on January 1, 2011 8:32 PM:

im connected to the internet but when i play mario kart or new super mario bros. the wifi doesnt work for those games

Shannon said, on January 26, 2011 7:26 PM:

I tried doing what you said, and searching for an access point, but when I typed in the CORRECT WEP key, it said: 'These settings are invalid. Confirm the information and try again.' And sometimes I get a message saying: 'ERROR CODE: 52001' help??????

selena said, on February 6, 2011 1:32 PM:

How do you get internet to ds lite because i am pressing every thing in the sistemy and I can't find it.

hokey pokey said, on February 12, 2011 2:28 AM:

what i want to know is how to get the grey lock to go blue or red!!! lol

taundra said, on February 13, 2011 4:01 PM:

duuude i have a bolt ds game with dgamer and all the other stuff and i did all of the steps but i cant access it... DO I REALLY NEED ALL OF THE IPADRESSES AND GATE WAYS TO ACCESS THE INTERNET ON MY DS LITE please tell me steps BYE BYE !!!!!!!!!!!

ian said, on March 12, 2011 8:32 PM:

wi fi on the ds dont work because i work for the company that makes ds we put that on there for no reason.

natalie said, on March 13, 2011 10:05 AM:

how do i connect my nans internet connection x ?

Michael said, on March 16, 2011 6:07 PM:

Hi. I have the original ds. Is it possible to pick up wifi on it because everytime I put in my wep and try to get on I get error 51300 but I can log on to the same internet connection from my phone and laptop with no issues. Do I have to be right beside the base or something? Please email.

efrdsf said, on May 27, 2011 2:10 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

joehanna said, on June 11, 2011 1:08 PM:

i still dont have internet on my nintendo dsi the padlock shows green and orange but still be closed! ALL I WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAVE A CODE I CAN USE TO GET THE INTERNET!!!

jhiuug said, on June 14, 2011 2:18 PM:

This isnt of use at all!!!!!!!!!
It doesnt work on my DS!!!!!!!
How do i get te ******* internet on my dsi?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IM TURNING CRAZY OF THIS!

isaiah said, on June 24, 2011 9:02 AM:

i cant wait till i get inernet on my dsi!!! :)

LOLuFailzzz said, on July 17, 2011 8:39 PM:

You guys fail so hard, if it doesn't show your access point, that means you either have a router not supported by nintendo or it is a private network {IE. Business only.} i went here to answer some of your questions but looks like i don't need to.
YOU SHOULD FIGURE OUT IF YOU HAVE EITHER:
1.Linksis
2. a private network
OR
3.A foreign router from any other country than
A. Russia
B. Japan
C. U.S.A
If you have any of the [A,B,C 1,2,3] you can't use the internet for multiplayer or [on DSi] browsing.

grace said, on July 17, 2011 10:54 PM:

i have a grey lock. what am i supposed to do now?

latasha said, on July 27, 2011 12:11 PM:

i can;t get the internet working on my intendodsixl can u help me with it

jorn said, on August 13, 2011 12:36 PM:

my internet can not connect to my pokemon diamond!
can anyone help me?
thank you!

Mechs War said, on August 25, 2011 11:50 AM:

how can i have an acces point compleet and play wifi call of duty modern warfare mobilized

Mechs War said, on August 25, 2011 11:52 AM:

ow yeah and how can i unlock a acces point
i cant complet a search

lolo said, on October 20, 2011 5:54 PM:

it does not work with ds it says error 52111

kelly said, on November 2, 2011 2:37 PM:

hi i cant connect at all to internet on my d.s.i my boyfriend got virgen hub and a bt phone still wont work plese e.mail me help thanks kelly hams

John Smith said, on December 15, 2011 2:07 AM:

Thanks for the info Dave. Readers may also want know if there are options besides wifi for DS Lite, maybe you can post that info too..

eddy wildner said, on December 24, 2011 6:26 AM:

i am wondering is there any possibility that the dsi can download pictures off the internet, and is there any free legal downloadables tomy dsi.

kadin said, on December 28, 2011 3:07 PM:

I cant get my dsi to connect to the internet HELP HOW DO I DO IT

Tammy said, on December 29, 2011 6:33 PM:

I just had the same problem I solved it by connecting it to my wifi in my home after that to connect to the shop it a little panel on the left hand upper screen it may say enable tap it and it'll say internet.

Runnyxhoney said, on January 1, 2012 7:56 PM:

Hey, please help my dsi isnt connecting to the internet it keeps sying its unable to connect and i need to use dvanced set up, but advnced set up means i cant use wifi in any games possible please email me!!

Tracey said, on February 10, 2012 7:04 AM:

Hey Dave. Thanks for all the help you give us non computer savvy people out here!!!
I followed the steps you gave for hooking up the Nintendo DS Lite for the WiFi for my son( I have a D-Link router) but when I enter my WEP Key it wont accept it..do you know why? (I have the RED lock showing) Or am I entering the wrong key #? (also referred to as a SECURITY KEY on the D-LINK setup info) Please email me back. Thanks very much

savannah said, on February 11, 2012 5:02 PM:

i tried but it dont work just send me some suggestions b/c it says unable to connect

Dave said, on February 21, 2012 10:55 PM:

Despite the age of this post most of the info is still good. Not sure whether I should be thanking you Dave or Nintendo, but I will thank you anyway buddy.

Tuesday Umipig said, on February 24, 2012 10:11 PM:

How can i connect to my pink nintendo DS to wifi(internet connection)... on grand theft auto chinatown. Its very hard for me bcuz i tried it so many times, and people recomend to use mario cart, but don't have the game, so if i were you look up on youtube to look it up(how to connect the ds or dsi to wifi on mario kart... What should i do if i tried it more than once or twice and doesn't work?
pleaze email me on (YahooMail.com or message me on facebook.com/tuesday v bullit or right on my facebook page called(Tuesday)) just look up on facebook just Tuesday. thx for messaging me everyone....! bye and have a good night.love you all...!!!

Sara said, on February 25, 2012 11:10 AM:

Hey, I have done this and i still cant get onto the internet Does anyone know how to??

whit sikes said, on March 3, 2012 2:55 PM:

my nentendo always says there is no acess point in range

Prakash Sharma said, on March 29, 2012 8:21 PM:

Hi
How can i set my browser to use internet in T-Mobile (HTC). Plz can you help me.

tony said, on April 5, 2012 8:01 PM:

hey can u answer this am trying to get internet on my ds i got a wireless router wep key i belive and even if i put in the test connection isnt connecting its at no bars and even if am close to it it doesnt work at all

Sierra said, on May 20, 2012 5:11 PM:

So I want to connect to my wifi for Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Black. When I go search for an access point I find my DNS and I have a blue lock. I don't have a password for my wifi, but it still will not let me connect to my wifi even if I am right in front of my router. Is there something else that I should be doing or using?

johnnye said, on June 11, 2012 12:15 PM:

Hello Dave I WAS WONDERING SINCE I CANNOT CONNECT TO THE INTERNET WITH MY DS BECAUSE I HAVE A GREY PAD LOCK DOES THAT MEAN THAT I NEED TO GET A BETTER ROUTER?

neciy said, on August 22, 2012 8:44 PM:

i nee my web on my dsi

alana said, on January 2, 2013 8:20 AM:

My ds used to connect fine but now it has a grey lock next to my internet connection. We use it for all our laptops and it never used to be grey. I can't get on the internet otherwise. How can I connect :( xx

MARK SIMON said, on March 19, 2013 1:13 AM:

How can i get internet settings

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

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

Reader Comments To Date: 297

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