FIXONIC
Repair starts here.Sign inCreate account Live auctionsRepair HubRepair guides
SellSavedMy Fixonic
FIXONICrepair marketplace
Home/ Repair guides/ Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement
Official iFixit API visual reference

Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement

Follow this guide to replace a cracked or...

Nintendo Nintendo Switch Moderate 5 - 10 minutes Guide 112996
Open the authorised source
Licensed iFixit integration

This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

Follow this guide to replace a cracked or damaged rear panel on the Nintendo Switch. The Switch uses JIS screws. A JIS 00 driver works best, but you can also use a JIS 000 driver. If you use a Phillips driver, you'll risk stripping the screws. Note: This guide, and the part we sell, are compatible with the original Nintendo Switch model released in 2017, as well as the newer refreshed model released in 2019 (model numbers HAC-001 and HAC-001(-01), respectively).

Step 1

Release the Joy Con controller locking tabs

Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement — Release the Joy Con controller locking tabs ⌕
  • Before you begin this repair, make sure the device is completely powered off.
  • Press and hold down the small round button on the back of the Joy Con controller.
  • While you hold down the button, slide the controller upward.
Step 2

Remove the Joy Con controllers

Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement — Remove the Joy Con controllers ⌕
  • Continue sliding the Joy Con upward until it's completely removed from the console.
  • Repeat this same process for the other Joy Con.
Step 3

Remove the back-side screws

Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement — Remove the back-side screws ⌕
JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the four 6.3 mm-long screws securing the rear panel.
  • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
  • If you do happen to strip one of the four 6.3 mm-long Y00 screws, If you are lucky and careful, you may be able to use a Y0 bit to remove the screw(s). Please note that if you do attempt this, a bit of extra pressure will need to be applied to the screwdriver so that the screwdriver bit catches the screw.
  • If you do end up removing the stripped screw with this method, PLEASE do not reuse the screw again and instead replace the screw.
Step 4

Remove the top and bottom screws

Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement — Remove the top and bottom screws ⌕
JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the following screws securing the rear panel:
  • One 2.5 mm-long screw on the top edge of the device
  • Two 2.5 mm-long screws on the bottom edge of the device
  • To prevent these tight screws from stripping, apply firm downward force, work slowly, and try another JIS 00 driver if the screws won't come out. Make sure the driver is fully inserted.
  • You can use a Phillips #000 screwdriver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping the screws. Push down firmly on the screwdriver and twist slowly. Often, switching drivers may help, even if they are the same size.
Step 5

Remove the center side screws

Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement — Remove the center side screws ⌕
JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the two 3.8 mm center screws on the sides of the device (one on each side).
Step 6

Repair step

Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement — repair step ⌕
  • Use your finger to flip up the kickstand on the back of the device.
  • If there's a microSD card in the microSD card slot, remove it now before you continue to the next step.
Step 7

Remove the kickstand well screw

Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement — Remove the kickstand well screw ⌕
JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the 1.6 mm screw in the kickstand well.
  • Close the kickstand.
Step 8

Remove the rear panel

Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement — Remove the rear panel ⌕
  • Open the game card cartridge flap.
  • The game card cartridge flap attaches to the other half of the plastic shell, preventing you from completely lifting up the rear panel if it's closed.
  • Lift the rear panel straight up from the bottom of the device and remove it.
  • Don't tilt it upwards while opening or else you risk breaking the plastic tabs on the top edge of the panel.