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Nintendo 3DS XL Hinge/Midframe Replacement

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

Nintendo Nintendo 3DS XL Moderate 35 minutes Guide 167236
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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

This is a guide on how to replace the hinge/midframe of the Nintendo 3DS XL. A broken hinge on the 3DS XL can lead to more damage to the midframe if left broken. This leads to the device not closing properly or feeling uncomfortable to use. Thus, it is necessary to replace the midframe when it becomes too damaged. The process of replacing this part is a bit difficult and has a lot of small steps, so a guide is needed to lead people through the process. This guide will show you every step in the process of disassembling a 3DS XL properly, since a few of the parts are a bit delicate. The replacement does not need any prior knowledge on technology to do. The process does require patience and carefulness.

Step 1

Repair step

  • Flip the 3DS XL upside down.
Step 2

Repair step

  • Remove the two 4.2 mm screws from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Step 3

Repair step

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

Repair step

  • Use an opening tool to remove the battery.
Step 5

Repair step

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

Repair step

  • 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.
Step 7

Repair step

  • Use a pair of tweezers to carefully detach both of the ribbon cables connected to the back cover.
Step 8

Repair step

  • Remove the two 7.5 mm screws from the white plate.
  • Use your fingers to lift it off the space carefully.
Step 9

Repair step

  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small plastic circle from the opened space.
Step 10

Repair step

  • Use your fingers to carefully disconnect the small green rectangle (network board).
Step 11

Repair step

  • Remove the ten 3 mm screws from the motherboard with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Step 12

Repair step

  • On the bottom right corner, remove the small plastic piece using a pair of tweezers.
Step 13

Repair step

  • On the bottom left corner, remove the small plastic piece using a pair of tweezers.
Step 14

Repair step

  • 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.
Step 15

Repair step

  • 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.
Step 16

Repair step

  • With caution yet with slight force, use your hands to lift the screen and the green motherboard from the frame.
  • Caution: There is still a ribbon cable connected, so do not suddenly remove what was lifted.
Step 17

Repair step

  • With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the ribbon cable at the hinge from the latch.
Step 18

Repair step

  • Use your fingers to disconnect the green rectangle (network board) from the small green cable.
Step 19

Repair step

  • Flip the 3DS XL right side up and open it.
Step 20

Repair step

  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small rubber squares from each corner of the front screen.
Step 21

Repair step

  • Remove the four 4.3 mm screws from the top screen using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Step 22

Repair step

  • Use your hands to remove the top cover by pushing the cover horizontally away from the hinges, as to not break any plastic hooks.
Step 23

Repair step

  • Flip the 3DS XL upside down and find the top left hinge.
  • In the small opening, use a small opening tool to push the small white plastic piece down towards the other hinge.
  • 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.
Step 24

Repair step

  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small black plastic piece covering the hinge.
Step 25

Repair step

  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small clear plastic piece from the hinge.
  • At this point you can remove the bottom frame from the left hinge using your hands.
Step 26

Repair step

  • 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.
Step 27

Repair step

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