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Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement

What you need

  1. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Unscrew the two 3mm Phillips #0 head screws along the top edge of the device.

    • The screws on the back panel strip easily. Go slowly and press down firmly.

    • The screws on the back panel are held in by locking washers, so they won't come out of the back panel.

  2. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Pull the top corner tabs of the front face plate outward and towards you.

    • Pull the faceplate up and out of the slots at the bottom of the device.

    • Set aside the back faceplate.

  3. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Insert a plastic opening tool into the notch at the top of the battery.

    • Pry the battery up with the plastic opening tool.

  4. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement, SD Card Reader: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Unscrew the three 3mm Y0 screws along the right and bottom of the SD card reader.

    • The bottom of the SD card reader should slightly pop out after removing the screws.

  5. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Pull the SD card reader from the edge with two holes gently to free the tab at the top of the SD card reader.

    • Don't completely pull the SD card out of the device yet. There is a ribbon cable connected under the SD card reader.

    • Reorient the device so that the power jack faces you.

  6. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the SD card reader gently.

    • Use a plastic opening tool to pry the SD card ribbon cable off the socket on the motherboard.

    • Lift the SD card reader out off of the lower casing.

  7. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement, Lower Case: step 7, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement, Lower Case: step 7, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement, Lower Case: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Reorient the device so that the game slot now faces you.

    • Remove the two rubber bumpers along the top of the device using tweezers.

    • Unscrew the seven 6mm Phillips #00 screws along the top and bottom of the 3DS.

  8. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the top edge of the lower case slightly off on the 3DS.

    • Don't pull the lower casing completely off, you may break those connections. There are ribbon cables that must be disconnected first.

    • Pry the ribbon cable socket under the right trigger using a plastic opening tool.

    • Pry the ribbon cable socket under the infrared receiver cover using a plastic opening tool.

  9. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3
    • Open the device slowly from its top edge. Be careful not to tug the ribbon cable connected near the bottom edge of the device.

    • Pry the last ribbon cable attached to the lower case using a plastic opening tool.

  10. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement, Gamecard Reader: step 10, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement, Gamecard Reader: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Locate the gamecard reader near the bottom right corner of the motherboard.

    • Unscrew the four 3mm Phillips #00 screws along the edge of the gamecard reader.

    • Lift the black latch on the ZIF connector along the right side of the reader using a plastic opening tool.

  11. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • Pry the ribbon cable from its socket, just left of the joystick, using the flat side of a spudger.

    • Grab the right edge of the gamecard reader and lift it out of the device, watching to make sure the ribbon cables don't snag.

  12. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement, D Pad: step 12, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement, D Pad: step 12, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the four 3mm Phillips #00 screws from the four corners of the D pad board.

    • Lift the D pad board out of the device.

  13. Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 D Pad Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Peel the rubber piece, backing the D pad, out of the device.

    • Lift the D pad out of the device with a pair of tweezers.

Conclusion

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

Tyler Starr

Member since: 10/06/16

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7 Guides authored

Team

Cal Poly, Team 4-6, Livingston Fall 2016 Member of Cal Poly, Team 4-6, Livingston Fall 2016

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4 Comments

I think you missed a few steps after step 9. There is no mention of removing the 3DS Cartridge reader or Circle Pad.

jharris - Reply

Jharris is right

Birby B. - Reply

Thanks for pointing that out! I think it is fixed now.

-Tyler

Tyler Starr -

My new 3DS d-pad is stuck in the up direction, what could be the problem?

Flute_Boi - Reply

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