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Introduction

If the buttons on your Nintendo DSi aren't working properly, the input button pads may need to be cleaned or replaced. This guide will show you how to access, remove, and replace these input button pads.

Because this device has been released for several years, the battery may be swollen. If the battery is swollen, make sure you handle it carefully and properly dispose of it. A swollen battery can explode or potentially cause a fire.

Before you begin with this repair, please ensure the system is turned off and has no power source plugged in.

What you need

Step 1 Input Button Pads

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Remove the two 4 mm Phillips #00 screws from the battery cover and remove the cover.
Remove the battery from its socket.

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Step 2

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the following 7 Phillips screws from the back of the DSi:
Six 5 mm-long screws
One 2.5 mm-long screw

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Step 3

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Open and turn the DSi over so the screen is resting on the table
Insert the end of a spudger in between the outer casing and the lower casing and work it around the edge to release the clips holding them together.

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Step 4

Slowly open the casing with enough space to disconnect the ribbon cable that connects the top and bottom.
For tips on disconnecting connectors, take a look at the Recognizing and Disconnecting Cable Connectors guide.

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Step 5

Remove the four 2.5 mm Phillips #00 screws from the board.

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Step 6

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To remove the four ribbon cables, lift the black locking flaps with a spudger.
Then, with the pointed edge of a spudger, pull the ribbon cable away from the connection point.

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Step 7

Slowly lifting the Wi-Fi card from the board to remove it.
Slide a thin, ESD-safe pry tool or angled tweezers under the metal neck of the Wi-Fi connector (as close to the head as possible) and lift straight up from the board.
When working with these connectors, it's important to always lift the head straight up. If pried on at an odd angle, you risk breaking the socket off of the board underneath.
Use tweezers to hold the connector in place over its socket and gently press down with your finger or a spudger—the connector should "snap" into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the head and try again.
Don't try to force the connector into place or you may permanently damage it.

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Step 8

Push the tab up and away to release the battery cable connector from the socket on the board.
Use a spudger if you are having a hard time releasing the connector.
Take your time with this cable as it is hard to remove. Be careful that you don't pull on the wires as they can be easily damaged.

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Step 9

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Hold onto the game cartridge slot and lift the board off the chassis.
You may need to slowly move/wiggle the board around to lift it.
Slowly flip the board on its back, as there is still a ribbon cable on the backside.
Unlock the black flap of the ZIF connector and use a spudger or tweezers to remove the ribbon cable.

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Step 10

You now have access to the input button pads of the A, B, X, Y, and Start/Select buttons.
Remove them from the system.
To replace the pads, set them in the correct spot and press down gently.
Sometimes, all the input pad needs is some cleaning to work properly again. Try that out before completely replacing the button pads.

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Step 11

You may want to remove the buttons themselves to clean them. Using tweezers, lift the buttons out.
To place them back, simply put them back into their slot, and they will be good to go.

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