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Home/ Repair guides/ ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement
Official iFixit API visual reference

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement

If your ABXY buttons or D-Pad have become...

Nintendo New Nintendo 2DS XL Moderate 10 - 25 minutes Guide 160383
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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

If your ABXY buttons or D-Pad have become unresponsive and remain so after being cleaned, the conductive sticker under them is likely worn out or damaged. Use this guide to replace the sticker and make your buttons work normally again

Step 1

Prepare for disassembly

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement — Prepare for disassembly ⌕
  • Before you begin, power off the console and remove:
  • The stylus
  • Any game cartridge
  • The microSD card
Step 2

Remove the back cover screws

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement — Remove the back cover screws ⌕
Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a tri‑point Y00 screwdriver to remove the four 6 mm‑long screws located at the four corners of the bottom panel.
Step 3

Release the back cover clips

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement — Release the back cover clips ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a spudger to gently pry around the two short edges and front edge (with the stylus cut‑out) to release the clips securing the back cover.
  • Swing the back cover open from its front edge to release the clips along the hinge edge. Don't remove it fully—three cables are connecting it to the motherboard (two on each side and one in the rear).
Step 4

Disconnect the back cover

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement — Disconnect the back cover ⌕
Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use tweezers to disconnect the two cables that connect the rear buttons on either side to the motherboard by gently pulling them upwards.
  • Fold the back cover over the hinge edge, keeping the cable connected. Don't strain the cable.
Step 5

Battery Removal

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement — Battery Removal ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • The battery is lightly adhered to its enclosure.
  • Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry the battery out of its plastic enclosure.
Step 6

Repair step

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement — repair step ⌕
Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • There are 8 ribbon cables that need to be removed as shown in the picture.
  • 2 of connectors (in green) are friction fit, unlike the rest of the connectors. Remove the cable by pulling it out gently flat in the arrow direction. Do not attempt to open or unlatch these connectors in any way. Doing so will break them.
  • For the remaining 6 (in red), use a pair of tweezers to flip the latches up and pull the ribbon cable out.
  • Note that the second picture shows a broken ribbon connector next to the joystick ribbon connector (to the right of the red arrow). Do not attempt to unlatch this connector as shown in the picture!
Step 7

Repair step

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement — repair step ⌕
Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Unplug the following wires from the motherboard using a pair of tweezers.
Step 8

Repair step

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement — repair step ⌕
Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Remove the seven 4.4 mm screws using a J00 (or iFixit's Phillips #00) screwdriver bit.
  • Remove the motherboard from the device.
Step 9

Repair step

ABXY/D-pad Conductive Sticker Replacement — repair step ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Flip the board over so the cartridge slot is on the bottom
  • Peel off the damaged sticker and replace it with the new one
  • ABXY buttons
  • D-pad
  • If the new sticker doesn't fit properly, you can cut it apart and stick each pad down separately. As long as they're properly aligned and secure, the buttons will still work normally