---
title: Nintendo Handheld Repairs
subtitle: it's been 8 years...
date: 2026-04-16 – 2026-04-23
posted: 2026-04-24
images:
    - cardboard
    - knifetoswitch
    - 3dsopen
    - thread
    - threadsuccess
    - 3dsfunctional
imageAlts:
    - A Nintendo Switch with its back removed. The SD card reader connector is obstructed by a pink piece of cardboard.
    - The SD card reader connector of a Nintendo Switch currently being stabbed with a knife in an attempt at repair.
    - A 2011 Nintendo 3DS with its back covers removed on both the top and the bottom half.
    - The hinge of a 3DS with some ribbon cables halfway pulled through.
    - The hinge of a 3DS with three ribbon cables successfully pulled through.
    - A functional 2011 Nintendo 3DS on the home screen, displaying the game "Zelda Four Swords Anniversary Edition"
    # - The back of a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE lying face-down on a deskmat. Toothpicks, cotton pads, and a metal spudger are lying nearby.
    # - A white phone back that's half-scratched off to reveal the clear plastic.
    # - An entirely clear phone back.
    # - A Samsung Galaxy S20 FE with a clear back inside a clear phone case. The phone has a sticker in the middle of the back that shows a lantern with leaves around it.
---

I disassembled my Switch because I wanted to check whether the battery was swollen inside. It's had some battery issues (although they seem to have gone away lately). During reassembly, I put too much force on the SD card reader and broke it. Ordered a new part, replaced it, but turns out I broke the board-side connector too. It doesn't grip the ribbon cable like it should. Squishing some cardboard in there to keep the cable connected and level with the board helped. I was worried it would fail, but it's been a couple of days now and it still works flawlessly. Just in time, too; I started playing the new Tomodachi Life and need the storage for all the screenshots and videos I'm capturing.

I also decided to tackle my 2011 3DS again. It broke in 2018: I was playing Super Mario Maker on the couch when it suddenly made a pop sound and turned off. When I disassembled it, I found that not only have I left the 3DS in a dismal state the last time I opened it -- most of the cables weren't even connected, not to mention the missing Y button, the removed battery due to swelling and the broken shoulder buttons --, but the ribbon cable connecting the speakers and top screen backlight had a *tear!* Finally, I knew what the problem may be!

I ordered a replacement cable and tackled the most challenging task imaginable when repairing a 3DS -- threading a cable through the hinge. It's a miracle I didn't destroy another cable in the process. I also replaced the Y button with a 3D printed one I quickly designed in FreeCAD. It works fine enough.

The 3DS works again!! It's been 8 years since it last booted!! I unfortunately don't have its SD card anymore, so the data is gone, but the system works! Truly a miracle.

Only thing left to do now is to fix the [USB-C port on my New 3DS](/projects/electronics/3ds-usb-c/)... it stopped accepting C-to-C connections, although A-to-C still works. Probably just need to re-seat or replace the 5.1kΩ resistor.