Step-by-Step Nintendo Switch Shield Replacement Guide
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 13 Steps
Ready to tackle your Nintendo Switch? Let’s swap out that shield plate! The Switch uses JIS screws, but you can totally use a Phillips screwdriver if you don’t have one handy. Just be careful not to strip those screws – Salvation Repair’s Phillips bits play nice with JIS-style screws. Important: When you take off the shield plate, you’ll need to replace the thermal compound between the plate and the heatsink. Regular thermal paste isn’t cut out for the job, so go for K5 Pro viscous thermal paste. Note: This guide works for the original Nintendo Switch model from 2017, as well as the refreshed model from 2019 (model numbers HAC-001 and HAC-001(-01), respectively).
Step 1
Before diving into this repair, make sure your device is completely powered down and ready for action.
– Hold down the small round button on the back of the Joy-Con controller.
– While holding the button, slide the controller upward.
Step 2
Now, go ahead and do the same thing for the other Joy Con! You’ve got this!
– Gently slide the Joy Con upwards until it pops right off the console. Nice and easy, you’ve got this!
Step 3
As you dive into this repair, keep tabs on each screw like you’re the bouncer at an exclusive party—each one needs to head back to its original spot, no exceptions!
– Grab your trusty Y00 screwdriver and let’s remove the four 6.3 mm screws holding down the rear panel. Easy peasy!
Step 4
Got some stubborn screws? Keep those little troublemakers intact by pressing down firmly, working at a steady pace, and trying out a JIS 000 or PH 000 driver if they still won’t budge. Slow and steady wins the repair race!
– Let’s get started! Use a JIS 000 driver or an official PH 000 driver to remove the screws that hold the rear panel in place.
– First, locate the top edge of your device and remove the single 2.5 mm-long screw.
– Next, head to the bottom edge and remove the two 2.5 mm-long screws. You’re making great progress!
Step 5
– Grab your trusty JIS 000 screwdriver or a PH 000 driver and unscrew the two 3.8 mm center screws—one on each side of your gadget. Steady hands, and you’re off to a great start!
Step 6
Got a microSD card in the slot? Go ahead and take it out before moving on to the next step. It’s a small but important move to make sure nothing gets in your way during the repair process.
– Use your finger to pop up the kickstand at the back of the device.
Step 7
– Grab your trusty JIS 000 screwdriver or the official iFixit PH 000 driver and get ready to tackle that 1.6 mm screw in the kickstand well. You’ve got this!
– Now, simply close the kickstand and give yourself a little pat on the back for a job well done!
Step 8
The game card cartridge flap is hooked onto the other half of the plastic shell, so if it’s closed, it can stop you from fully lifting up the rear panel. Just keep that in mind while you’re working through this step.
– Pop open the game card cartridge flap.
– Gently lift the rear panel from the bottom of your device and take it off.
Step 9
– Grab your JIS 000 screwdriver or an official PH000 driver and loosen that 3.1 mm screw holding the microSD card reader in place. Easy peasy!
Step 10
– Gently grab the microSD card reader with your fingers or a pair of tweezers and lift it straight up to pop it out of the device. Easy does it!
– When you’re putting it back together, make sure the press connector under that squishy foam pad is snugly connected to the motherboard. If the foam pad gets in the way, consider removing it first to make things easier before sliding the card reader back in place.
Tools Used
Step 11
– Grab your trusty JIS 000 screwdriver or a Salvation Repair PH 000 driver and pop out those six 3 mm screws holding the shield plate in place.
Step 12
If the foam seems stubborn and doesn’t want to budge, don’t force it—nobody likes a torn foam! Try peeling from different angles and gently coax it back.
– Let’s get started! Use your fingers or a trusty pair of tweezers to carefully peel back the foam piece located at the top edge of your device, right near the fan exhaust port. It’s an easy step, and you’re off to a great start!
Tools Used
Step 13
A cool pink thermal paste bridges the gap between the shield plate and the copper heat sink underneath, working hard to keep your Switch chill and prevent it from overheating.
You might hit a little resistance here—that’s just the shield plate being slightly glued to the heat sink with thermal paste. Totally normal!
– Give your new replacement part a good look-over against the original; you might need to swap some components or peel off adhesive backing before you dive into installation.
– Ready to put everything back together? Just retrace your steps in reverse order and you’ll be golden!
– Got some e-waste? Make sure to drop it off at an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
– Things didn’t go as smoothly as planned? No worries! Try some basic troubleshooting, or feel free to reach out to our Nintendo Switch Answers community for a helping hand.
– If you encounter any tricky situations, don’t hesitate to schedule a repair!
