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Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement

Introduction

The guide will help take apart the Nintendo 3DS XL to uncover the motherboard, then identify the IR Board in order to be replaced.

What you need

  1. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Loosen the two #00 Phillips 4.2 mm-length screws located at the top of the back cover.

    • 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.

    Edit

  2. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 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 it aside.

    Edit

  3. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 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.

    Edit

  4. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement, Circle Pad Joystick: step 4, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement, Circle Pad Joystick: step 4, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

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

    Edit

  6. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  7. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  8. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • 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 to not pull the case too hard and rip the ribbon cables.

    Edit

  9. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  10. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  11. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

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

    Edit

  12. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  13. Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement, IR Board: step 12, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement, IR Board: step 12, image 2 of 2

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

    • Locate the IR board located 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.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

11 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 5 other contributors

Charlene Donlon

Member since: 04/08/14

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 9-13, Regan Spring 2014 Member of Cal Poly, Team 9-13, Regan Spring 2014

CPSU-REGAN-S14S9G13

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44 Guides authored

4 Comments

This guide was really helpful, I had to teardown my 3DS to remove a rice crispy that was stuck in the SD card reader, I don't know how it got there, I wasn't even eating cereals

Tony The Tiger - Reply

was removing the analog stick really necessary?

8bitlooser - Reply

So I have an original 3DS and a 3DS XL the 3DS Xl Works great but the 3DS won't turn on. I believe it is because I t has a missing IR Board. I am hoping to use the one on the 3DS XL. Do you think it will work?they look similar in the pictures..... Anyway I am confused as to why I have to take out the cirlepad??

AppleTopic - Reply

if you are missing ir board the system will not boot?

Kostandinos Minas Talarantas - Reply

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