Home/ Repair guides/ Nintendo Switch Micro SD Card Reader Replacement

Official iFixit API visual reference

Nintendo Switch Micro SD Card Reader Replacement

Follow this guide to replace a damaged or...

Nintendo Switch Moderate 5 - 10 minutes Guide 113031

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 damaged or faulty microSD card reader on your Nintendo Switch game console. The Nintendo Switch uses JIS screws, which are slightly different than Phillips. We don’t recommend using Phillips drivers for JIS screws; however, iFixit Phillips bits are specifically designed to be compatible with JIS screws. If you use a non-iFixit Phillips driver, you risk stripping the screws. WARNING: The battery cannot be disconnected during this repair, so make sure to only use ESD-safe tools and be extra careful when using any metal tools. Not doing so could short a connection and damage the device. 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

⌕

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

⌕

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

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

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

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

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

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

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

⌕

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

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

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

⌕

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.

Step 9

Remove the microSD card reader

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the 3.1 mm screw securing the microSD card reader to the device.

Step 10

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the microSD card reader press connector and lift straight up to remove it.
During reassembly, remove the foam pad before connecting the press connector to the motherboard. Set the foam pad back in place after you verify it's connected.

Step 11

Reassembly information

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

During reassembly:
Peel the foam block off the MicroSD card reader.
Carefully align the MicroSD card reader press connector over its socket on the board and press down to connect it.
Don't try to force the connector into place. If you're having trouble, reposition it and try again.
Set the foam block onto the connector and press it into place.