Nintendo 3DS XL Touchscreen Replacement

Introduction

In order to reach the touchscreen of the Nintendo 3DS XL, you will need to first remove the motherboard and accompanying parts. This guide will help you replace your touchscreen in no time!

Tools:

• Phillips #000 Screwdriver (1)
• iFixit Opening Tools (1)
• Spudger (1)
• Tweezers (1)

Parts:

• Nintendo 3DS XL Mid-Frame and Digitizer Assembly (1)
• Nintendo 3DS XL Lower LCD (1)

Step 1 - Battery

? Loosen the two 4.2 mm-length screws located at the top of the back cover.

ℹ️ The screws have locking washers that prevent the screws from falling off of the back cover. Leave these locking washers on the screws; it is not necessary to remove the washers for this repair guide.

Image description: The bottom of the Nintendo 3DS XL is shown with two 4.2 mm screws circled in red.

Step 2

? Hold the device so that the cover is facing up.

? Using a plastic opening tool, pry off the cover starting at the top right corner. Hold the edge of the cover to ensure it does not reattach.

? Look for the small section below the stylus compartment. Pry off the cover at that point if it is still attached.

? Take off the cover of the device and set aside.

Image description: A hand is using a blue plastic opening tool to pry open the back cover of the Nintendo 3DS XL, starting from the top right corner and continuing along the edge.

Step 3

? Insert the plastic opening tool into the opening located on the right side of the battery.

? Pry off the battery from the lower casing.

? Lift the battery out of the case and set aside.

Image description: A plastic opening tool is being inserted into the battery compartment to pry out the battery.

Step 4 - Circle Pad Joystick

? Using tweezers, pull out the rubber bumpers that are located at the top of the device on either side of the game cartridge compartment.

Image description: The back of the Nintendo 3DS XL is shown with two rubber bumpers, located on either side of the game cartridge compartment, highlighted.

Step 5

? Remove the six 6.2 mm screws using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Image description: The back of the Nintendo 3DS XL is shown with six 6.2 mm screws circled in red.

Step 6

? Remove the 2.3 mm screw located above the game cartridge slot with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Image description: The back of the Nintendo 3DS XL is shown with a 2.3 mm screw circled in red, located above the game cartridge slot.

Step 7

? Make sure the SD card has been removed. With a plastic opening tool, pry off the lower case starting at the bottom edge and working around the perimeter.

? Two ribbon cables connect the case to the circuit board. Be careful not to pull the case too hard and rip the ribbon cables.

Image description: A plastic opening tool is being used to pry off the lower case of the Nintendo 3DS XL, starting from the bottom edge. The internal components with ribbon cables are visible.

Step 8

? Remove the ribbon cables located underneath the left and right bumpers by prying up the base of the cables with a plastic opening tool.

? Completely remove the lower case from the rest of the device and set aside.

Image description: Ribbon cables are being disconnected from the motherboard using a plastic opening tool. The lower case is shown being removed.

Step 9

? Position the device such that the game cartridge slot is located at the top.

? Locate the circle pad on the right side of the device.

? Remove the two 7.5 mm screws on the upper left and the bottom right corners.

Image description: The internal motherboard of the Nintendo 3DS XL is shown with two 7.5 mm screws circled in red at the upper left and bottom right corners.

Step 10

? Using a plastic opening tool, pop off the circle pad joystick.

? Do not use excessive force with the plastic opening tool. There is a ribbon attaching the circle pad joystick to the motherboard that will remain attached.

ℹ️ There is a loose washer located in between the circle pad joystick and the circle pad. Use caution and do not lose this piece.

Image description: A plastic opening tool is being used to pop off the circle pad joystick from the motherboard.

Step 11

? Using the flat head side of the spudger, carefully lift up the retaining flap that attaches the circle pad ribbon to the motherboard.

? Remove the ribbon and circle pad joystick.

Image description: A spudger is being used to lift the retaining flap for the circle pad ribbon cable on the motherboard.

Step 12 - IR Board

? Position the device such that the game cartridge slot is located at the top.

? Locate the IR board on the upper right side of the motherboard.

⚠️ The IR board is installed upside-down in these photos by mistake. Installing it this way will result in your DS failing to start. Note the orientation of your IR board before you remove it, and reinstall it the same way.

? Remove the IR board with a plastic opening tool by inserting the tool below the IR board and gently prying up.

Image description: The motherboard is shown with the IR board highlighted in the upper right side. A plastic opening tool is shown being used to pry it up.

Step 13 - Motherboard

? Using a plastic opening tool, pry off the Wi-Fi board.

? The Wi-Fi board will still be connected by a wire and it is not necessary to completely remove it for this step. Simply place it out of the way for this step.

Image description: The motherboard is shown with the Wi-Fi board being pried off with a plastic opening tool.

Step 14

? Locate the volume switch on the right side of the motherboard next to the circle pad joystick.

? Using tweezers, carefully remove the volume board from the casing. It will still be attached to the motherboard by a ribbon cable.

Image description: The motherboard is shown with the volume switch area highlighted. A hand is using tweezers to carefully remove the volume board.

Step 15

? Using the flat head side of the spudger, carefully lift up the flap that attaches the volume board ribbon to the motherboard.

? Remove the volume board and set aside.

Image description: A spudger is shown lifting the retaining flap for the volume board ribbon cable on the motherboard.

Step 16

? Remove the black plastic pieces from the lower left and right hand corners with either your fingers or tweezers.

? You can also remove these pieces easily by carefully lifting up the 3DS and holding it upside-down. They normally fall right out, but don't lose them!

Image description: The motherboard is shown with black plastic pieces highlighted in the lower left and right corners.

Step 17

? Using the flat head side of the spudger, carefully lift up the flap that attaches the two smaller ribbons to the motherboard.

? These flaps are located on the top right and bottom right side of the motherboard.

? Remove the ribbons from the flap.

Image description: A spudger is shown lifting a retaining flap for two smaller ribbon cables on the motherboard.

Step 18

? Using the flat head side of the spudger, carefully lift up the flaps that attach the wider ribbons to the motherboard.

ℹ️ For the wider ribbons, make sure to lift the flaps from the white side.

? Remove the ribbons from the opened flaps.

Image description: A spudger is shown lifting retaining flaps for wider ribbon cables on the motherboard.

Step 19

? Using the flat head side of the spudger, carefully lift up the flap that attaches the ribbon to the motherboard.

ℹ️ For this flap, lift from the black side.

? Remove the ribbon from the flap.

✅ Reassembly: This wide ribbon is the one with the BLACK STRIPE and goes on the upper (visible) side of the motherboard during reassembly.

Image description: A spudger is shown lifting a retaining flap for a ribbon cable on the motherboard.

Step 20

? Remove ten 5.5 mm screws that are located around the face of the motherboard.

Image description: The motherboard is shown with ten 5.5 mm screws circled around its face.

Step 21

⚠️ The motherboard will still be attached at the top right hand corner, so do not completely detach it at this point.

? Carefully lift the board straight up just enough to clear the two plastic mounts located near the top corners of the cartridge slot.

? Gently flip the motherboard over the top side.

Image description: The motherboard is shown being carefully lifted upwards and then flipped over.

Step 22

? Using the flat head side of the spudger, carefully lift up the flap that attaches the wider ribbon on the upper right side to the motherboard.

ℹ️ Make sure to lift the flap from the white side.

? Remove the ribbon from the opened flap.

? Set the motherboard aside.

Image description: A spudger is shown lifting a retaining flap for a wider ribbon cable on the upper right side of the motherboard.

Step 23 - Touchscreen

? Open the device's hinge.

? Gently press upward on the touchscreen until it separates from the casing.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Image description: The Nintendo 3DS XL's hinge is being opened, and pressure is being applied upwards on the touchscreen to separate it from the casing.