[GUIDE] Guide to AVOID save data corruptions (COME AND CONTRIBUTE!)

[dreamysnowx]

**warning: everything noted in this guide is NOT fool-proof and 100% confirmed.**


So I have been seeing lot of save data corruption happen from reasons I never knew could ever corrupt datas! So I want to make this aware so other TBT-ers and Animal Crossers can AVOID getting their towns corrupted.

For now, I would like everyone to contribute information and I will turn this guide into a more official and formal guide next week after gathering information this week!

~things THAT WILL corrupt your data~​

~Stimultaneously pressing down on the power button while saving will cause a data corruption.

~Taking out the SD CARD while your 3ds is on will corrupt your data.

~Taking out the 3ds catridge (if you have a physical game copy) while saving will corrupt your data.

~be sure to EJECT the SD card from the computer before removing it. Failing to properly eject the card before removing it from the computer may cause it to reformat, which will delete everything on the card.

~TIPS to AVOID game corruptions~
​

Tip 1: Do not turn off your 3ds (press on the power button) when saving the game. Always make sure when saving, wait until it is done saving before pressing on the power button.

Tip 2: Make sure to charge your 3DS every now and then to prevent it from shutting down when saving (leading it to a data corruption). This is important.

Tip 3: Stay away from sketchy SD cards... I've seen lots of people buy really cheap sd cards that won't work with the 3DS, and the ones that do don't save very well. (This may not be 100% true for everyone but I wouldn't take chances)

Tip 4: Do not take out the SD CARD while your 3ds is on, MAKE SURE your 3ds is TURNED OFF when taking out the SD card.

Tip 5: do not take out the cartridge(if you have a physical copy) while saving. The save data is stored in your cartridge and it might lead to corruption once you take it out while saving. Also,do not sit/or chew on the cartridge. Any physical damage might also lead to loss of save data.

Tip 6: When saving, make sure the ANIMAL CROSSING NEW LEAF logo is out before you turn off the DS.

Tip 7: Don't touch anything inside the SD card besides the pictures.



more tips coming on how to avoid data corruptions.. we need everyone to contribute what you know to save others from corrupting their towns accidentally!

This may not be neccessary, but I recommend saving and then using the home button to close the software and then power off. ^~^

I'd just like to add that "Corruptions" are not something Nintendo programmed into the game.. It's a glitch.

In general, if a game does corrupt, chances are you were doing something wrong. I've seen too many people try and switch between SD Cards to have multiple towns without buying the game again and that's just not going to work.

There are exceptions--I've had a friend who's hand slipped to the power point before (although, never during a save) and another who dropped their 3DS and it clicked off.

Personally, I never power off my 3DS anyway--can't get StreetPasses if it's turned off...

 

[Kildor]

2) Make sure to charge your 3DS every now and then to prevent it from shutting down when saving. This is important.

 

[dreamysnowx]

added, thanks kildor22!

 

[Gabbi]

Stay away from sketchy SD cards... I've seen lots of people buy really cheap sd cards that won't work with the 3DS, and the ones that do don't save very well. (This may not be 100% true for everyone but I wouldn't take chances)

 

[dreamysnowx]

added! thank you for contributing!

THIS WILL BE LEFT UP FOR A WEEK BEFORE I TURN THIS INTO A MORE FORMAL/OFFICIALISED GUIDE, SO IF EVERYONE CAN CONTRIBUTE WHILE THEY CAN, PLEASE DO <333

 

[Kildor]

Another tip,do not take out the cartridge(if you have a physical copy). The save data is stored in your cartridge and it might lead to corruption once you take it out while saving. Also,do not sit/or chew on the cartridge. Any physical damage might also lead to loss of save data.

 

[dreamysnowx]

added! thank you!

 

[Flop]

This may not be neccessary, but I recommend saving and then using the home button to close the software and then power off. ^~^

 

[heirabbit]

This may not be neccessary, but I recommend saving and then using the home button to close the software and then power off. ^~^

I always do this! Better safe than sorry!

 

[sn0wxyuki]

Stay away from sketchy SD cards... I've seen lots of people buy really cheap sd cards that won't work with the 3DS, and the ones that do don't save very well. (This may not be 100% true for everyone but I wouldn't take chances)

Eihh I just bought a new SD card, but this corrupting only apply if I have a digital version cause my game will save on cartridge if I have a physical one?

 

[Sidewalk]

When saving make sure the ac logo is out before you off the DS.
Don't touch anything inside the SD card except the pictures.

 

[sn0wxyuki]

When saving make sure the ac logo is out before you off the DS.
Don't touch anything inside the SD card except the pictures.

I have a psychical copy and just change my SD card, do I need to do anything else like transfer anything? or I can just use it directly?

 

[Sidewalk]

Read from some forumers the best is copy everything over.

 

[dreamysnowx]

This may not be neccessary, but I recommend saving and then using the home button to close the software and then power off. ^~^

added! ~

- - - Post Merge - - -

thanks sidewalk! added~

 

[dreamysnowx]

bump for more contributions!

 

[Yui Z]

I can't think of anything to contribute which isn't already there but I think this could be really helpful for people

 

[dreamysnowx]

I can't think of anything to contribute which isn't already there but I think this could be really helpful for people

thank you! <3

 

[Kit]

This thread needed to be made, there have been too many corruption threads as of late. Heck, my own cycle town was corrupted recently. Be careful everyone

 

[Krissi2197]

I'm wondering why this thread was necessary... It's common sense not to turn off your console while saving (it even says "do not touch the power button" when it's saving!) and it also tells you to completely turn off your system before removing the SD card.

Most of the data corruptions that have been happening recently are completely accidental (IE accidentally turning the DS off too early, the DS dying while saving, etc). They knew the consequences but it was just an accident.

Even if you take all of these precautions, there is a very very small chance (less than 1% I believe) that it will just corrupt for no reason. Each time you save, there's always that super small chance it can corrupt even if you didn't do anything to cause it.

This guide is helpful, don't get me wrong, but it's full of things that people should have known already. There's only so many ways to corrupt saved data purposely.

 

[hemming1996]

~Turning off the 3DS/pressing on the power button while your game is saving will cause a corruption.

This has a 0.1% chance of happening, just saying. You must simultaneously press down on the power button for an actual corruption to happen.