Nintendo 3DS XL Hinge/Midframe Replacement

ID: 167236

Description: This is a guide on how to replace the...

Steps:

1. Flip the 3DS XL upside down.

2. Remove the two 4.2 mm screws from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

3. Use an opening tool to pry the cover loose and lift the back cover.
4. Caution: Make sure to lift the side with the screws up first as to not break hooks on the cover.

5. Use an opening tool to remove the battery.

6. Remove the six 6.2 mm screws from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
7. Remove the single 2.3 mm screw from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

8. Use your hands to carefully remove the back cover at an angle, while keeping it connected to the top edge with caution regarding the ribbons.

9. Use a pair of tweezers to carefully detach both of the ribbon cables connected to the back cover.

10. Remove the two 7.5 mm screws from the white plate.
11. Use your fingers to lift it off the space carefully.

12. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small plastic circle from the opened space.

13. Use your fingers to carefully disconnect the small green rectangle (network board).

14. Remove the ten 3 mm screws from the motherboard with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

15. On the bottom right corner, remove the small plastic piece using a pair of tweezers.

16. On the bottom left corner, remove the small plastic piece using a pair of tweezers.

17. With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the ribbon cable from the latch on the top right corner.

18. With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the second ribbon cable from the latch on the top right corner.

19. With caution yet with slight force, use your hands to lift the screen and the green motherboard from the frame.
20. Caution: There is still a ribbon cable connected, so do not suddenly remove what was lifted.

21. With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the ribbon cable at the hinge from the latch.

22. Use your fingers to disconnect the green rectangle (network board) from the small green cable.

23. Flip the 3DS XL right side up and open it.

24. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small rubber squares from each corner of the front screen.

25. Remove the four 4.3 mm screws from the top screen using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

26. Use your hands to remove the top cover by pushing the cover horizontally away from the hinges, as to not break any plastic hooks.

27. Flip the 3DS XL upside down and find the top left hinge.
28. In the small opening, use a small opening tool to push the small white plastic piece down towards the other hinge.
29. Caution: A decent amount of force will be needed to push it down, so use a small but sturdy object that can fit in the opening to push it down.

30. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small black plastic piece covering the hinge.

31. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small clear plastic piece from the hinge.
32. At this point you can remove the bottom frame from the left hinge using your hands.

33. At the top right hinge, use your hands to carefully slide the ribbon cables through a small gap next to the hinge to remove them from the bottom frame.

34. Use your fingers to remove all buttons and rubber covers from the old frame and place them into the new frame.