[Fixed] There is No Accessible Software Data On 3ds

This guide helps you fix the “no accessible software data” error on Nintendo 3DS. It explains common causes and offers easy ways to recover and manage your 3DS data.

Posted by @Irene October 11, 2025 Updated By @Irene October 11, 2025

Why does There Is No Accessible Software Data on 3DS error happen?

The “There Is No Accessible Software Data on 3DS” error usually happens when the console cannot read or access the software data stored on the SD card. The Nintendo 3DS uses an SD or microSD card to store games, save files, and other data, so any issue with the card or the system can lead to this problem.

One common reason is improper shutdown. If the console loses power suddenly or a game is not closed correctly, the data may get corrupted, making it unreadable. Corrupted or damaged files can also cause the system to fail in recognizing the software. This can happen over time as the device or SD card ages.

SD card problems are another major cause. If the SD card is physically damaged, dirty, or not inserted properly, the console might not detect it. In addition, incompatible or incorrectly formatted cards often trigger this error. The 3DS requires the FAT32 file system, and cards larger than 32GB (like 64GB or 128GB SDXC cards) need to be reformatted to work properly.

Sometimes, system updates or user errors can also cause software data to become inaccessible, especially if settings were changed or updates created compatibility issues. Lastly, Nintendo server issues can temporarily prevent the console from accessing software data stored online.

In short, this error is mainly linked to SD card issues, corrupted data, or software incompatibility. Understanding these causes helps users apply the right fix and restore normal 3DS performance.

How to fix 3DS No Accessible Software Data error?

Fix 1. Change 3DS SD Card reader

You might need to get a new SD card reader if your device can't read or find the 3DS SD cards. To change the 3DS SD card reader, do what's written below. (This shows how to change the Nintendo 3DS 2015 SD card reader).

Step 1. Unscrew the two 3mm Phillips #0 head screws along the top edge of the device.

Step 2. Open the device.

1. Pull the tabs on the top corners of the front faceplate outward and toward you.2. The faceplate can be pulled up and out of the slots at the bottom of the box.3. The back faceplate should be put aside.

Step 3. Next, put in a plastic tool for opening. After that, use the plastic opening tool to pull the battery up.

 

Step 4. Pull the SD card reader from the edge with two holes gently to free the tab at the top of the SD card reader.

Step 5. Gently pull the SD card reader up. Next, pull the SD card ribbon cable out of its slot on the motherboard.

Lastly, lift the SD card reader off of the bottom case. Put your 3DS SD card back in and try to connect it again to see if it works. If a different SD card reader doesn't work, it could mean that your 3DS needs to be fixed. 

Fix 2. Update 3DS SD Card Driver 

When you see the message “There is no accessible software data on 3DS” or “3DS could not access the SD card,” it usually means your system cannot read the game data properly. To fix the 3DS no accessible software data error, you can try updating or reinstalling the SD card driver. This simple step often helps resolve no accessible software data in data management 3DS and allows your console to detect the SD card again. Follow these steps to learn how to fix no accessible software data 3DS easily.

Step 1. Insert your memory SD card to a card reader and connect it to your PC. Next, open "Computer" and choose "System Properties".

Step 2. In the taskbar on the left, click "device manager" and next to "Universal Serial Bus controller" click "+ (plus)". Then you'll see a yellow exclamation mark.

Step 3. Right-click and choose "update driver software". Then click "Search automatically for driver software online"...

Wait until the process completes. Then, reconnect your SD card to your PC to see whether it can be detected or recognized.

Fix 3. Format the card to the compatible file system

Another common reason for the “There is no accessible software data on 3DS” error is that the SD card is using the wrong file system. The 3DS only supports SD cards formatted in FAT32, but many 128GB SD cards come preformatted as exFAT, which the console cannot read. This mismatch often leads to the 3DS no accessible software data error or the message “3DS could not detect SD card 128GB.” To fix this issue, you need to reformat the SD card to FAT32, which restores compatibility and helps resolve the no accessible software data in data management 3DS problem.

To format the SD card larger than 32GB, it is still recommended to use AOMEI Partition Assistant. If you run Windows built-in tools like Disk Management or CMD, you may only to find FAT32 option not available error, or The volume is too big for FAT32 noticed. Thus, the AOMEI software can break the size limitations. You can format the 128GB, or even 1TB SD card to FAT32.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Step 1. Double-click the installation file and follow the prompts to install this software. Then, run it. In the main interface, right-click the hard drive partition and choose Format Partition.

PS.: If your HDD is unallocated, right-click it and choose Create Partition.

Step 2. Choose FAT32 and click OK to continue.

PS.: Here you can change the drive letter of this partition, assign a partition label to this partition or change its cluster size.

Step 3. Here you can preview that the HDD would be formatted with FAT32. Click Apply and Proceed to perform the pending operation.

Bonus tip: Recover lost data after format the card

If you suddenly see the message “There is no accessible software data on 3DS” or “SD card couldn’t be recognized,” and you accidentally formatted the card without a backup, don’t worry. AOMEI Partition Assistant can help you recover your lost games and data. This tool supports restoring over 200 types of files, including games, documents, and emails, from different data loss situations such as formatting, accidental deletion, or system crashes. It can also recover data from a corrupted SD card or even restore deleted partitions. Using this software is an effective way to fix no accessible software data in data management 3DS and get your game files back easily.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Step 1. In the main interface, click Recover > Recover Data from the top pane.

Step 2. Select the drive where the deleted data is stored and click Start Scan.

Step 3. When the scan finishes, all deleted files will be listed. Then, choose the target file you want to recover and click Recover.

Step 4. Here, select a path to save the recovered file.

Step 5. When the recovery is over, click OK to exit it.

Conclusion

The “There Is No Accessible Software Data on 3DS” error often happens because of SD card problems, corrupted data, or file system incompatibility. Luckily, this issue can be fixed in several simple ways. You can try changing the SD card reader, updating the SD card driver, or formatting the SD card to FAT32 to make it compatible with your 3DS. If you lose data during the process, tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant can help recover your files safely.

Just follow these steps to fix the "no accessible software data" issue on your 3DS and get your console back to running smoothly. This quick solution will help keep your gaming sessions fun and hassle-free every time.