Nintendo Switch 2 Kickstand Replacement

ID: 195155

Description: Follow this guide to replace the kickstand on a...

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling the console. This reduces the risk of a fire if the battery is damaged during the repair. If the battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.
Remove any game cards and disconnect any cables, controllers, or other accessories from the console.
Power off the console by holding down the power button, selecting Power Options, then pressing Power Off.

Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the two 3.1 mm‑long screws on either side of the bottom USB-C port.
You can try a non-iFixit Phillips driver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping the screw. Push down firmly on the driver and twist slowly.

Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the 3.1 mm‑long screw on the top edge of the console (next to the ventilation cutouts).

The Switch 2 has stickers on either side that need to removed to access the screws securing the back cover. It's easy to damage the stickers during removal, but you can mitigate this by regularly reheating the stickers and working carefully.
Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the sticker on the right side of the console, labeled with a "+" symbol, until it's hot to the touch.
You can use the kickstand to prop the console up vertically for easier access.
If you're using a heat gun, set it to low to avoid melting the plastic edge of the console.

The pointed end of the tweezers can damage the sticker from the underside, leaving a noticeable mark. If it's difficult to lift, apply more heat instead of using more force.
Slide one arm of angled tweezers underneath the sticker from its cutout around the right Joy‑Con 2 connector.
Gently pry up on the sticker until it starts to lift from the console.
Leave the tweezers in place to keep the sticker lifted.

Insert the tip of a Jimmy into the gap formed between the long edge of the console and the sticker.
Gently pry up the sticker, working your way up the long edge until the top of the sticker is separated from the console.
Remove the tweezers once the sticker is lifted.
You can leave the Jimmy in place to hold the top of the sticker off the frame—if it falls back into its recess, repeat this procedure to lift it back up.

Carefully lift the sticker over the Joy‑Con 2 connector, then peel it up fully to remove it.

Repeat this procedure to remove the sticker along the left side of the console, labeled with a "-" symbol.

Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the two 3.6 mm‑long gold screws on each side of the console (four in total).

Use your fingers to flip up the kickstand on the back of the console.
If there's a microSD Express card installed, remove it now before you continue to the next step.

Insert an opening pick into the gap between the back cover and speaker cutout on the bottom edge of the console.

Slide the opening pick towards the USB-C port until it's underneath the screw hole next to the port.

Insert a second opening pick underneath the screw hole on the opposite side of the USB-C port, and slide it to the corner of the console.

Be careful not to drop your console. Once the back cover pops up, the opening picks will fall out of place.
Hold the console with two hands. Rest your thumbs on the opening picks.
Push up on the opening picks to lift the back cover until it pops up above the USB-C port.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up one of the hinge's plastic upper hinge covers until it "pops" up.

Pull the upper hinge cover out from underneath the lower hinge cover to remove it.
The cover is clipped in place and requires a little bit of force to remove.

Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the two 2.3 mm‑long silver screws securing each hinge to the inside of the back cover (four total).

Open the kickstand to a 45‑degree angle and pull it out of the back cover to remove it.

Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your console.

Align the kickstand so its hinge covers are facing the back cover.
Insert the hinges through their slots in the back cover and set the kickstand into its cutout.

Use a JIS 00 driver to install the two 2.3 mm‑long silver screws securing each hinge to the inside of the back cover (four total).

Align one of the upper hinge covers with its respective hinge, and slide it underneath the lower hinge cover.
Use your finger to press the upper hinge cover down until it clicks into place.

Fully pull out the game card tray.
Double-check the power and volume buttons to ensure they're seated correctly. If the rubber membrane beneath the buttons is out of place, ensure it's aligned with its pegs.
Check the microphone to ensure it's fully seated in its slot in the frame.

Align the top of the back cover with the top of the console.
Set the top edge of the back cover into place, checking the buttons and ports to ensure they're aligned properly. If they aren't, lift the back cover and try again.
Press along the top edge to fasten the clips securing the back cover to the console.

Use a JIS 00 driver to install the three 3.1 mm‑long screws securing the back cover: one on the top edge of the console, and two on either side of the bottom USB-C port.
Use a Y00 driver to install the two 4.4 mm‑long screws in the kickstand cutout.

Install the two 3.6 mm‑long gold screws on each side of the console (four in total).

Align the right side sticker with its recess. Ensure the cutout in the sticker is aligned with the Joy-Con connector.
Set the sticker into its recess, first on one side, then the other.
Use your finger or the flat end of a spudger to press the sticker into place.
If the sticker isn't sticking well, apply heat after you press it into place.

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