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Nintendo DSi Input Button Pads Replacement

If the buttons on your Nintendo DSi aren't...

Nintendo Nintendo DSi Moderate 45 minutes - 1 hour Guide 187201

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 the buttons on your Nintendo DSi aren't working properly, the input button pads may need to be cleaned or replaced. This guide will show you how to access, remove, and replace these input button pads. Because this device has been released for several years, the battery may be swollen. If the battery is swollen, make sure you handle it carefully and properly dispose of it. A swollen battery can explode or potentially cause a fire. Before you begin with this repair, please ensure the system is turned off and has no power source plugged in.

Step 1

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Remove the two 4 mm Phillips #00 screws from the battery cover and remove the cover.
Remove the battery from its socket.

Step 2

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the following 7 Phillips screws from the back of the DSi:
Six 5 mm-long screws
One 2.5 mm-long screw

Step 3

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Open and turn the DSi over so the screen is resting on the table
Insert the end of a spudger in between the outer casing and the lower casing and work it around the edge to release the clips holding them together.

Step 4

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Slowly open the casing with enough space to disconnect the ribbon cable that connects the top and bottom.
For tips on disconnecting connectors, take a look at the Recognizing and Disconnecting Cable Connectors guide.

Step 5

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Remove the four 2.5 mm Phillips #00 screws from the board.

Step 6

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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To remove the four ribbon cables, lift the black locking flaps with a spudger.
Then, with the pointed edge of a spudger, pull the ribbon cable away from the connection point.

Step 7

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Slowly lifting the Wi-Fi card from the board to remove it.
Slide a thin, ESD-safe pry tool or angled tweezers under the metal neck of the Wi-Fi connector (as close to the head as possible) and lift straight up from the board.
When working with these connectors, it's important to always lift the head straight up. If pried on at an odd angle, you risk breaking the socket off of the board underneath.
Use tweezers to hold the connector in place over its socket and gently press down with your finger or a spudger—the connector should "snap" into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the head and try again.
Don't try to force the connector into place or you may permanently damage it.

Step 8

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Push the tab up and away to release the battery cable connector from the socket on the board.
Use a spudger if you are having a hard time releasing the connector.
Take your time with this cable as it is hard to remove. Be careful that you don't pull on the wires as they can be easily damaged.

Step 9

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Hold onto the game cartridge slot and lift the board off the chassis.
You may need to slowly move/wiggle the board around to lift it.
Slowly flip the board on its back, as there is still a ribbon cable on the backside.
Unlock the black flap of the ZIF connector and use a spudger or tweezers to remove the ribbon cable.

Step 10

Repair step

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You now have access to the input button pads of the A, B, X, Y, and Start/Select buttons.
Remove them from the system.
To replace the pads, set them in the correct spot and press down gently.
Sometimes, all the input pad needs is some cleaning to work properly again. Try that out before completely replacing the button pads.

Step 11

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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You may want to remove the buttons themselves to clean them. Using tweezers, lift the buttons out.
To place them back, simply put them back into their slot, and they will be good to go.

Step 12

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Remove the five 2.5 mm Phillips #00 screws securing the second board.

Step 13

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Slowly lift the board and flip it over.
Be gentle as there is one ribbon cable attached under the board.
It is not necessary to remove that cable.

Step 14

Repair step

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Remove and replace or clean the arrow and power input button pads.