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Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement

Archived Guide
This guide is retained solely for historical purposes. Use the updated version of the guide to perform your repair.

Introduction

This guide has been updated by iFixit staff! Read the new, official guide here.

A guide on how to replace the Nintendo DSi top LCD screen.

What you need

  1. Careful: steps 1-2 are sourced from a guide that's marked as in-progress.

    Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Loosen the two screws on the battery panel. Then lift the panel up to remove it.

    Edit

  2. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • L Button.

    • Top of the battery pack.

    • To remove the battery pack, place your fingernail or a spudger at the top of the battery near the L button. Gently lift the battery out.

    Edit

  3. Careful: steps 3-4 are sourced from a guide that's marked as in-progress.

    Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement, Motherboard: step 3, image 1 of 2 Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement, Motherboard: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Remove 4 Phillips screws from the board.

    • Lift the main board from the bottom end and flip it over to reveal the last connector.

    • Keep the main board fairly close to the case, making sure not to damage the last ribbon cable holding it in place.

    Edit

  4. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the ribbon cable by gently using a plastic opening tool to flip up the black connector latch. The cable should easily slide out from the connector.

    • The motherboard should now be free from the rest of the device.

    Edit

  5. Careful: steps 5-7 are sourced from a guide that's marked as in-progress.

    Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement, Disassembling Nintendo DSi Bottom case: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the rubber front-panel button membranes from the device. Pay careful attention to where the buttons go, so you can replace them correctly.

    • A/B/X/Y button assembly

    • Select/Start button assembly

    • D-pad

    • Power button

    Edit

  6. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the plastic buttons and keep them in a safe place.

    • All of the buttons have "key" notches to prevent them from being inserted incorrectly (backwards or in the wrong place), but it can take a while to figure out where everything goes if they get shuffled around.

    Edit

  8. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Flip the case open, and push the lower screen assembly out of the frame.

    Edit

  9. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement, Top LCD Screen: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • To make the repair easier, we recommend removing the bottom LCD screen prior to replacing the top LCD screen.

    • Using a spudger, or similar tool, pry out the 4 square screw covers.

    Edit

  10. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove 4 Phillips screws with a #00 Phillips screwdriver.

    Edit

  11. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Place a plastic opening tool between the front panel and top edge of the outer case. Slide the tool along the edge as needed to prop open the case.

    • With the screen facing you, slide the screen side down with your thumbs to separate the screen from the cover.

    Edit

  12. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the antenna from the bottom left of the device.

    • Remove the microphone from the top of the frame.

    Edit

  13. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to pry the camera out of its place.

    Edit

  14. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Cables for the components in the upper half of the device run through the hinge, which must be carefully disassembled before continuing.

    • Start by pushing the sliding shaft in the hinge on the opposite side of the wires/ribbons.

    Edit

  15. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • On the reverse side of the casing, insert the spudger onto the surface of the sliding shaft just left of the LED light channels.

    • Push the sliding shaft completely through the hinge until it stops and the hinge is released.

    Edit

  16. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • The right side of bottom case should separate from the top case when you remove the sliding shaft.

    • Do not pull up too far or the wire hinge may be damaged.

    • Slide the top case to the right to separate the joint.

    • Weave the wires and ribbons through the wire hinge to completely separate the top and bottom casings.

    Edit

  17. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • The speakers are soldered to the ribbon cable attached to the upper LCD, so they must be removed at the same time as the LCD.

    • Lift the top LCD out of the plastic frame. Carefully thread the ribbon cable out of the hinge to avoid damaging it.

    Edit

  18. Nintendo DSi Top LCD Screen Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • To remove the speakers, place a flat object underneath and gently pry them off.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

One other person completed this guide.

Author

with 16 other contributors

rjcamero

Member since: 11/05/09

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 6-1, Maness Fall 2009 Member of Cal Poly, Team 6-1, Maness Fall 2009

CPSU-MANESS-F09S6G1

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