Fix Your Stuff

Right to Repair

Store

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Front Button Replacement

Written By: Daniel Tagalog (and 7 other contributors)
  • Comments: 3
  • Favorites: 0
  • Completions: 1

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

12

Time Required

10 - 15 minutes

Sections

2

Flags

0

Introduction

The front buttons on a Nintendo switch pro controller are supposed to be free flowing and have lightning fast response time. If your controller is not performing at the highest level it can then that means you will keep losing games. The controller has to be the best it can possibly be so that you can play up to your ultimate potential. If your front buttons are sticky, unresponsive, or will not press down all the way, use this guide to remove and replace your buttons. This guide requires a Phillips #00 screwdriver for screw removal.

Tools

Buy these tools

Parts

No parts specified.

  1. Flip the controller over so the model stickers face the ceiling.

    • Flip the controller over so the model stickers face the ceiling.

    Edit

  2. Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the two black flathead 7 mm screws that secure the handles, located at the ends of the handles. Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the two black flathead 7 mm screws that secure the handles, located at the ends of the handles.

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the two black flathead 7 mm screws that secure the handles, located at the ends of the handles.

    Edit

  3. Carefully remove the handle covers by pulling them away from the main body. Carefully remove the handle covers by pulling them away from the main body.

    • Carefully remove the handle covers by pulling them away from the main body.

    Edit

  4. Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the four silver 5 mm screws that secure the clear back plastic cover. Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the four silver 5 mm screws that secure the clear back plastic cover.

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the four silver 5 mm screws that secure the clear back plastic cover.

    Edit

  6. Carefully pry away the clear plastic cover using your fingernail. Carefully pry away the clear plastic cover using your fingernail.

    • Carefully pry away the clear plastic cover using your fingernail.

    Edit

  7. Remove the lithium-ion battery by using a fingernail or plastic opening tool to pry it up on the left side. Only a small amount of force is needed. Only a small amount of force is needed.

    • Remove the lithium-ion battery by using a fingernail or plastic opening tool to pry it up on the left side.

    • Only a small amount of force is needed.

    Edit

  8. Remove the five 5mm roundhead screws with the Phillips #00 screwdriver. Remove the five 5mm roundhead screws with the Phillips #00 screwdriver. Remove the five 5mm roundhead screws with the Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    • Remove the five 5mm roundhead screws with the Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    Edit

  9. Carefully pry the front plate off of the body using an iFixit opening tool. Separate the plastic covers by pulling it apart from the controller body.

    • Carefully pry the front plate off of the body using an iFixit opening tool.

    • Separate the plastic covers by pulling it apart from the controller body.

    • Avoid using excessive force when pulling the cover off to prevent damage to the white ribbon cable.

    Edit

  10. Use your fingernail to lift the black ribbon cable clip. Carefully remove the ribbon cable from the connector. Only a small amount of force should be needed to remove the ribbon cable.

    • Use your fingernail to lift the black ribbon cable clip.

    • Carefully remove the ribbon cable from the connector.

    • Only a small amount of force should be needed to remove the ribbon cable.

    Edit

  11. Remove the four screws on the top circuit board using a Phillips #00 screwdriver. Remove the four screws on the top circuit board using a Phillips #00 screwdriver. Remove the four screws on the top circuit board using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    • Remove the four screws on the top circuit board using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    Edit

  12. Remove the top circuit board. Remove the top circuit board.

    • Remove the top circuit board.

    Edit

  13. Use an iFixit opening tool to flip up the locking tab on the ZIF connector. Remove the black ribbon cable.

    • Use an iFixit opening tool to flip up the locking tab on the ZIF connector.

    • Remove the black ribbon cable.

    • Remove the bottom board.

    • Only a small amount of force should be needed to remove the ribbon cable.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

One other person completed this guide.

Author

with 7 other contributors

Daniel Tagalog

Member since: 10/10/2019

695 Reputation

3 Guides authored

Badges: 12

+9 more badges

Team

Cal Poly, Team S11-G2, Regan Fall 2019 Member of Cal Poly, Team S11-G2, Regan Fall 2019

CPSU-REGAN-F19S11G2

5 Members

19 Guides authored

One Comment

Add a comment

Hey Daniel! Thank you very much for this tutorial.

May I ask you, do you know the part code of this specific board or where I can find it online?? My pro controller d-pad came malfunctioning from factory and I think I’ll challenge myself to try and buy a new one to replace it.

Tassio - Reply

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 9

Past 7 Days: 45

Past 30 Days: 158

All Time: 1,434