Nintendo Switch Front Frame Replacement
Use this guide to replace the front frame...
| Entity MID / Identifier | /diy/procedure/ifixit_148737 |
|---|---|
| RDF & Freebase Types | /type/topic /diy/procedure /domain/hardware_repair |
| Subject Hardware Entity | Nintendo Switch (dev_nintendo_switch) • OEM: Nintendo • Category: Gaming Console • Repairability: 8.0/10 |
| Procedural Complexity | Rating: Difficult • Estimated Duration: 7200 minutes |
| Compound Value Types (CVTs) | 30 Ordered Step Records (/diy/step_record) with instruction text, warning levels, and CDN media |
| Topological Tool Dependencies | 13 Hardware Tools (/tool/hardware) |
| Required Replacement Parts | 2 Component Entities (/part/component) |
| Provenance & Attribution | Source: iFixit Open Library • Author: Community Contributor • License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
Required Hardware Tools (13)
/tool/hardware- Suction Handle (Repair Tool)
- Precut Double-Sided Adhesive Card (Repair Tool)
- ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers (Repair Tool)
- Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver (Repair Tool)
- JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit (Repair Tool)
- Tweezers (Repair Tool)
- iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) (Repair Tool)
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (Repair Tool)
- Spudger (Repair Tool)
- iOpener (Repair Tool)
- Isopropyl Alcohol (Repair Tool)
- iFixit Opening Tool (Repair Tool)
- Thermal Paste (Repair Tool)
Replacement Components & Consumables (2)
/part/component- iFixit Thermal Putty (Replacement Part)
- Nintendo Switch Front Frame (Replacement Part)
Step-by-Step Instructions (30 Steps)
Compound Value Type Disassembly FlowStep 1
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the three 4.8 mm screws securing the fan.
Step 2
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to lift the fan straight up and remove it from the device. Compare your new replacement part to the original part. You may need to transfer remaining components (such as the rubber bushings) to the new part before installing.
Step 3
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the four 3.7 mm screws securing the right Joy Con rail to the frame of the device. These screws are torqued down and can be difficult to remove. To prevent them from stripping →, apply firm downward force, work slowly and try a different screwdriver if the screws won't come out.
Step 4
Remove the right Joy Con sensor rail. Take care not to snag the rail's data cable on the device frame as you remove it.
Step 5
Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to lift the battery connector up and out of the way of the Joy Con rail's data cable.
Step 6
Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to lift the battery connector up and out of the way of the Joy Con rail's data cable.
Step 7
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the four 3.7 mm screws securing the left Joy Con rail to the frame of the device. These screws are torqued down and can be difficult to remove. To prevent them from stripping →, apply firm downward force, work slowly and try a different screwdriver if the screws won't come out.
Step 8
Remove the left Joy Con sensor rail from the device.
Step 9
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the taped down power/volume ribbon cable.
Step 10
Remove the power/volume board with a pair of blunt nose tweezers.
Step 11
Pull the rubber conductive pad out with a pair of blunt nose tweezers.
Step 12
Pull the power and volume buttons out with a pair of blunt nose tweezers.
Step 13
Deroute the black coax cable from the midframe.
Step 14
Continue following the wire, derouting it as you go.
Step 15
Pry the metal barrel surrounding the coax up from the midframe.
Step 16
Grasp the WiFi antenna board with a pair of tweezers and lift straight up to remove it.
Step 17
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the screen for around two minutes to to help soften the adhesive. A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the device—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
Step 18
Apply a suction cup to the bottom-left corner of the screen. Pull up on the suction up with strong, steady force to create a gap. Depending on the age of your device, this may be difficult. If you have trouble, apply more heat and try again. Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap, making sure to only insert the pick about 5 mm.
Step 19
Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the screen to slice the adhesive. Leave the pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from re-adhering to the frame.
Step 20
Insert a second opening pick into the gap to the left of the first pick. Slide the opening pick back towards the left side of the device. Leave the opening pick inserted.
Step 21
Heat the left edge of the screen for around two minutes to help soften the adhesive.
Step 22
Continue sliding the opening pick around the bottom-left corner to slice the adhesive.
Step 23
Continue sliding the opening pick along the left edge of the screen to slice to adhesive.
Step 24
Heat the top edge of the screen for around two minutes to help soften the adhesive.
Step 25
Continue sliding the opening pick around the top-left corner of the screen to slice the adhesive.
Step 26
Continue sliding the opening pick along the top edge of the screen to slice the adhesive.
Step 27
Heat the right edge of the screen for around two minutes to help soften the adhesive. Place the flat end of a spudger into the gap along the left edge of the screen. Carefully and slowly lift the left edge of the screen, opening it like a book.
Step 28
Lift the right edge of the screen straight off the device, threading the ribbon cables through the frame as you do so. Take care not to snag any of the ribbon cables on the frame as you remove the screen. You can reuse the screen adhesive if it is still sticky. Otherwise, replace the adhesive with double-sided tape such as Tesa tape.
Step 29
Remove the four screws securing the front frame to the midframe.
Step 30
Lift the front edge of the frame then slide the frame up toward the top of the display to remove it.
