Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
8
Time Required
5 - 10 minutes
Sections
1
- Rear Panel
- 8 steps
Flags
0
BackNintendo Switch
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications
Introduction
The Switch uses JIS screws, but you can use a Phillips screwdriver in a pinch. Be very careful not to strip the screws. iFixit’s Phillips bits are designed to be cross-compatible with JIS-style screws.
Note: This guide, and the part we sell, are compatible with the original Nintendo Switch model released in 2017, as well as the newer refreshed model released in 2019 (model numbers HAC-001 and HAC-001(-01), respectively).
What you need
Step 1
Release the Joy Con controller locking tabs
- Before you begin this repair, make sure the device is completely powered off.
- Press and hold down the small round button on the back of the Joy Con controller.
- While you hold down the button, slide the controller upward.
Before you begin this repair, make sure the device is completely powered off.
Press and hold down the small round button on the back of the Joy Con controller.
While you hold down the button, slide the controller upward.
1024
Step 2
Remove the Joy Con controllers
- Continue sliding the Joy Con upward until it’s completely removed from the console.
- Repeat this same process for the other Joy Con.
Continue sliding the Joy Con upward until it’s completely removed from the console.
Repeat this same process for the other Joy Con.
Step 3
Remove the back-side screws
- Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the four 6.3 mm-long screws securing the rear panel.
- Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the four 6.3 mm-long screws securing the rear panel.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Step 4
Remove the top and bottom screws
- Use a JIS 000 driver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the following screws securing the rear panel:
- One 2.5 mm-long screw on the top edge of the device
- Two 2.5 mm-long screws on the bottom edge of the device
- To prevent these tight screws from stripping, apply firm downward force, work slowly and try another JIS 000 or PH 000 driver if the screws won’t come out.
Use a JIS 000 driver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the following screws securing the rear panel:
One 2.5 mm-long screw on the top edge of the device
Two 2.5 mm-long screws on the bottom edge of the device
To prevent these tight screws from stripping, apply firm downward force, work slowly and try another JIS 000 or PH 000 driver if the screws won’t come out.
Step 5
- Use a JIS 000 screwdriver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the two 3.8 mm center screws on the sides of the device (one on each side).
Use a JIS 000 screwdriver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the two 3.8 mm center screws on the sides of the device (one on each side).
Step 6
- Use your finger to flip up the kickstand on the back of the device.
- If there’s a microSD card in the microSD card slot, remove it now before you continue to the next step.
Use your finger to flip up the kickstand on the back of the device.
If there’s a microSD card in the microSD card slot, remove it now before you continue to the next step.
Step 7
- Use a JIS 000 screwdriver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the 1.6 mm screw in the kickstand well.
- Close the kickstand.
Use a JIS 000 screwdriver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the 1.6 mm screw in the kickstand well.
Close the kickstand.
Step 8
- Open the game card cartridge flap.
- The game card cartridge flap attaches to the other half of the plastic shell, preventing you from completely lifting up the rear panel if it’s closed.
- Lift the rear panel up from the bottom of the device and remove it.
Open the game card cartridge flap.
The game card cartridge flap attaches to the other half of the plastic shell, preventing you from completely lifting up the rear panel if it’s closed.
Lift the rear panel up from the bottom of the device and remove it.
Compare your new replacement part to the original part. You may need to transfer remaining components from the new part before installing.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Nintendo Switch Answers community for help.
Cancel: I did not complete this guide.
62 other people completed this guide.
Author
with 10 other contributors
Craig Lloyd
Member since: 02/10/2016
28,344 Reputation
82 Guides authored
Badges:
41
+38 more badges
fclbriat123 - Dec 26, 2019
Reply
Excellent and concise guide.
The new panel doesn’t come with the sticky grille pieces x 2 on the bottom. Is it supposed to be a straight transfer between the old and the new?
Ryan Talbert - Mar 27, 2020
Reply
Just did this replacement and there are a few things to keep in mind that this review does not mention. There are x2 square foam pieces that can be transferred to the new panel located at the bottom backside of the old. Also, the game cartridge shield hardware and the kickstand holder hardware have to be taken off the back of the old panel and transferred to the new panel. The kickstand has 2 Phillips #000 screws and the game cartridge shield has 1 Phillips #000 screw
John - Apr 3, 2020
Reply
How do you transfer the foam pieces? Use some heat to loosen their adhesive and then remove them and transfer over the new backplate?
Julian Webb - May 22, 2020
Reply
Is the casing the same between the HAC model and the HAD model? This guide doesn’t specify
Dr.Genuks - Nov 29, 2020
Reply
I am using iFixit Pro tool kit. What to do if one of the 000 screw’s cap appears to be stripped off? How to extract it if perchance?