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Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement

What you need

  1. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Remove the back cover screws: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to loosen the 4.2 mm‑long screws on the top edge of the back cover.

    • The screws have locking washers that prevent the screws from falling out. Keep these in place.

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  2. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 2, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Use a plastic opening tool to pry off the clips securing the back cover, starting at the top corners and working your way down.

    • Use your hands to keep the clips from reattaching.

    • Use your hands to remove the back cover.

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  3. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Insert the plastic opening tool into the opening located on the right side of the battery.

    • Pry the battery out of its recess and remove it.

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  4. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Circle Pad Joystick: step 4, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Circle Pad Joystick: step 4, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
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    • Using tweezers pull out the rubber bumpers that are located at the top of the device on either side of the game cartridge compartment.

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  5. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the six 6.2 mm screws using a Phillips #00 screwdriver

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  6. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the 2.3 mm screw located above the game cartridge slot with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

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  7. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button 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.

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  8. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Disconnect 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.

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  9. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button 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.

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  10. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button 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.

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  11. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button 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.

    • To remove the circle pad joystick, remove the thin ring of plastic under the back of the circle pad, and set it aside. Then, rotate the pad to make it slip out.

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

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  13. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Motherboard: step 13, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Motherboard: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • 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.

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  14. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy
    • 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.

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  15. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

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  16. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2
    • 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!

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  17. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 17, image 3 of 3
    • Using the flat head side of the spudger carefully lift up the flaps that attach 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 flaps.

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  18. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3
    • Using the flat head side of the spudger carefully lift up the flaps that attach the wider ribbons to the motherboard.

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

    • Remove the ribbons from the opened flaps.

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  19. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 2
    • Using the flat head side of the spudger carefully lift up the flap that attaches the ribbon to the motherboard.

    • 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.

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  20. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2
    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove ten 3.0 mm screws that are located around the face of the motherboard.

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  21. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2
    • 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.

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  22. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2
    • Be very careful not to tear the cable during this step.

    • 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.

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

    • Remove the ribbon from the opened flap.

    • Set the motherboard aside.

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  23. Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Power Button: step 23, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Power Button: step 23, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS XL Power Button Replacement, Power Button: step 23, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy
    • Using tweezers remove the rubber cap located on the bottom left hand corner.

    • Use the tweezers to pull out the power button.

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Conclusion

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

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4 other people completed this guide.

Charlene Donlon

Member since: 04/08/14

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8 Guides authored

Team

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

CPSU-REGAN-S14S9G13

5 Members

56 Guides authored

3 Guide Comments

Does anyone have any idea where I can get a spare power button (black plastic part) and the rubber bit?

I've found the rubber bit on ebay but for the life of me I cannot find the plastic part (In the UK at least)

Thanks.

hudster1991 - Reply Share

Did you find it by any chance? Kind of looking for the same thing

yaboi - Reply Share

almost a decade after I answer. but you never know you were still looking for it (I don’t believe). but you can find some on aliexpress, for the rubber the quality and the same but the buttons slightly less pleasant, unfortunately not pack only for the button power but for ~10 € you can have the pack of rubber and that of button, which is always expensive than buying a new 3ds xl for parts

Nothing - Reply Share

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