How to Unlock and Reset Nintendo DSi XL Parental Controls

This guide will show you how to unlock and reset the parental controls for the Nintendo DSi and DSi XL.

I sell a lot of different items online through Craigslist, and eBay.

Since most of the items that I sell are used, they oftentimes have info with the previous owner’s photos, music and other data.

Clean Up the Data

I generally try to clean them up the best I can before listing it for sale online.

Sometimes, however, the Nintendo DSi systems will have over 200 photos of the previous owner stored on the machine.

Delete Photos

Unfortunately there is not an easy way to delete all of the photos at once. You need to delete each photo individually, which can be very time consuming.

The best way to delete all of the info off of a DSi is to reset it back to the factory settings, but sometimes there is a parental control password that does not allow you to reset it to factory settings.

This is how to remove the parental controls pin number so you can reset the Nintendo DSi (or XL) to factory settings:

First, go to the Nintendo system settings. It is the icon that looks like a wrench:

Scroll to the 3rd page and select “Parental Controls”:

You will see a screen that asks you to enter a 4 digit code. Select the “I Forgot” button on the bottom:

It will then bring you to a screen that asks you to answer the secret question. You do not need to know the answer. Just type in at least 6 characters and click “OK”:

It will tell you that your answer is incorrect. Click “OK”:

Repeat the last two steps a few times.

After you answer the secret question wrong 3 times in a row, the DSi will bring you to a screen with an inquiry number.

Click OK to get to the next screen.

Now you will need to visit this website: https://wii.marcan.st/parental

The site says that it is for resetting the Wii parental control password, but it also works with the DSi and DSi XL.

Be sure that the date on that website matches the date on your DSi. Enter the Inquiry Number from the DSi into the “Confirmation Number” box on the website.

Now enter the 5 digit code from the website into the DSi and click OK:

It will bring you to the next screen where it will give you a few options. I choose the “Clear Settings” option:

Click “Yes”:

Then go back into the DSi system settings screen from step 1 (looks like a wrench).

Scroll to the 4th page until you see “Format System Memory”:

NOTE: Formatting the system memory will delete everything off of the DSi.

Follow the steps on the screen:

Wait a few minutes for the system to restore. The DSi will shut off when it is done.

When you turn it on, you will need to enter information such as the time and date.

You will be setting it up as if you turned it on for the first time.

Now you are ready to resell the Nintendo DSi or DSi XL with no information from the previous owner.

I hope this tutorial helps. Please share this article if you found it helpful.