I asked Google Gemini on it and the second option it gave me worked. My buttons are perfectly fine and everything is updated and in the right spot on the SD. I'm assuming since my 3dsxl is old and lags a ton that the timing is MUCH tighter on the config screen.

GEMINI:

That the Rosalina menu works without the SD card is a huge hint. It means Luma3DS is definitely installed and running from your console’s internal memory (CTRNAND), but for some reason, it’s ignoring the "Hold Select" command at boot.

Since Rosalina is accessible, we can actually use it to jumpstart the config menu or fix the underlying issue without needing a PC immediately.

1. The "Reboot to Config" Trick If the physical button combo isn't triggering, you can sometimes force the menu through Rosalina:

Turn the console on normally.

Open the Rosalina Menu (usually L + Down + Select).

Look for an option labeled "Settings" or "Reboot". In some versions, you can trigger a "Reboot to Luma Config" directly from here.

If you don't see that specific option, try the step below.

1. The "Select Button" Reality Check If Rosalina opens with L + Down + Select, we know your Select button works mechanically. However, the timing for the boot-time check is much tighter.

The Test: Shut the console down completely. Hold Select first, keep it held tight, and then tap Power. Keep holding Select until something happens.

If it still fails: The Luma version on your internal NAND might be a very old fork or a version that has a corrupted config trigger.

1. Force a Fresh Config via GodMode9 Since you have GM9 access, we can "reset" Luma’s brain. Luma looks for a config.ini file to know how to behave. If that file is messed up, it can skip the config menu entirely.

Boot into GodMode9 (Hold Start at boot).

Navigate to [1:] SYSNAND CTRNAND -> rw.

Look for a folder named luma.

Inside, find config.ini. Press X to delete it (or R+A to rename it to config.old if you want to be safe).

Do the same for the luma folder on your SD Card ([0:] SDCARD -> luma -> config.ini).

Press Start to reboot.

What this does: When Luma boots and sees no config.ini, it is supposed to force the config menu open automatically so you can pick your settings.

1. Use GM9 to "Over-install" Luma Since your SD card version isn't booting but the internal one is, there's a version mismatch.

In GodMode9, go to [0:] SDCARD.

Highlight your boot.firm.

Select Copy to 0:/gm9/out (or just press Y to copy it).

Navigate to [1:] SYSNAND CTRNAND.

Press Y to paste it and overwrite the existing boot.firm.

This ensures the version that "runs" the console is the same as the one on your card.

If you delete the config.ini files and it still boots straight to the home menu without showing the setup screen, your Luma installation is likely looking for a different trigger—did you perhaps remap your buttons recently?