Nintendo 2DS XL intermittently freezing

Hi All,

My Sons 2DS XL (minecraft edition) is randomly freezing when in use.

Battery is fully charged, and software is up to date.
I have replicated when in game (any game), in menu’s even after a format system operation. It froze during initial set up - so i rebooted and speed ran through the setup to get back to home screen. In every case the screens stay frozen on whatever point the system hung, internet light and battery indicators are still working / flashing where intended. holding power down and restarting is the only way to exit the hung state, at which point its use-able until the next freeze.

The only other thing i can thing of is Bad SD card which i am about to test.

Is anyone aware of faults that can cause the system to hang?