Nintendo 3DS Battery Replacement

Written By: David Hodson

Comments: 33

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

2 - 10 minutes

Introduction

Remove the battery in your Nintendo 3DS to replace it with a new one.

Tools

Parts

Nintendo CTR-003 Battery

Step 1

Unscrew the four Phillips #00 screws along the top of the back cover.
The screws are held in place by locking washers, and will not come out of the back cover.
The comments section is full of unlucky souls who will tell you that the screws here through step 4 will strip incredibly easily. Press down fairly hard, and go slow.

#00 screwdriver is too big... probably need a #000

thomascroguennec -

#00 will work - but you must press down firmly and sort of jerk the screw out a few degrees at a time. If you don't press firmly, the screws strip very easily. Using #000 will strip the screws more easily.

Tai - 18/09/14

I used a #0 without any issues and 0 stripped. I used the #0 for all screws internally and externally. The head was sharp and I applied adequate amounts of pressure when loosening the screw.

Ben Kevan - 10/12/14

The correct screwdriver should be a JIS, or you can get a screwdriver specific for the 3DS from other sites for less than $2

Oscar -

do you have to buy it

deeznuts - 18/01/16

Where would I buy a screwdriver specifically for the 3DS? Also would it work on the DS? I need to replace the battery for my DS.

Caitlin Lumsden - 10/08/17

I used Phillips #000 and it worked like a charm, i need to order a new SD board or do you guys think i should send it. What happened is that it got water damaged and everything works fine when i opened it everything looked fine no signs of water corrosion everything on the 3DS works exept it always give me a message saying the SD card is locked and i know for a fact it isnt locked i already tried using 3 different SD cards and none of them are lock protected and yes they are formatted as well. I need help

Leo Torres - 27/05/14

there's a switch on the SD card, switch it and it will be unlocked again. it happened to me once too.

Bagel - 12/09/15

david hodson you are incredible. literally all you need to do is heat the screen up and pry it off and you make them take apart the whole thing

melody - 31/05/14

You've done this?

magykmaster - 09/09/14

I have to ask the same question. If just the glass display is broken, and you're heating it up to remove the glass, is it really necessary to remove everything? Doesn't like like it is necessary

Wade - 30/12/14

I just did it your way and it went fine. didnt even have to remove the battery. This is incredible misstep on the authors part.

patrick - 28/05/15

only take out the screen for a motherboard removal? Are you using the wrong guide or was this guide used for two different repairs?

Reed Deemer - 27/10/17

I used a PH0x50, but it wasn't easy.

John - 20/06/14

This may be a dumb question but where do I buy the 3DS upper screen?

John - 25/08/14

eBay... Just do a search for the 3DS Upper screen. $9.49 & it comes with the tools.

Gary Darnell - 08/09/14

The LCD screen I ordered came with all the tools I needed except a pair of tweezers. All in all it was about $14.00 and a little bit of my time.

Gary Darnell - 08/09/14

Does anyone know where I can find the right bumper button for a 3ds? I can't find it on ebay must of damaged it playing smash bros.

Steven Castro Parrilla - 20/10/14

Really wish I had read the comments first... How about instead of the warning saying to press down hardly and go slow, you say to use the correct screwdriver size like others mentioned in the comments. I not only stripped multiple screws, even after putting a glove on for more pressure, I bent my screwdriver from pressing down so hard. Granted it's a cheap jeweler's kit screwdriver, but it still would've been nice to not have that problem and be informed of the right size in the first place.

hockeymorgan35 - 18/03/15

Got my tools one day after ordering, as I live a couple hours away from the supplier, Will post again when i try guide.

nintendokakashi - 23/03/15

I tried doing this with a #00 Philips but it just didn't turn

Acrobatic Mars01 - 17/03/17

Hello there, I need some assistance I have done a full housing replacement I have everything working except the 3d slider . The 3D option is always on can someone let me know which flex it is or what I am forgetting . Thanks guys !

Noe Ibarra - 06/02/18

The 3D light lets you know there is a 3D option available for the current game you’re playing. Usually, it is always on, except when you’re playing a game that doesn’t support 3D. Turning the 3D slider off does not turn off the 3D LED.

Scott D - 28/05/19

I've always been lucky with these four, and at the time it was my first disassembly so I didn't know what stripping a screw was!

FarmYard Gaming -

These screws don't strip easily, however, the screws at step 4 do.

TheBlueInkling -

Step 2

Hold the device in one hand and turn it over.
Grab the top edge of the back cover with your opposite hand so that the cover does not fall back into place.
Flip the 3DS over again so that the back cover is facing up.
Pull the back cover up and away from the rest of the device to remove it.

Rember to transfer the model number sticker to the new cover

Caleb Mezenberg (Caleb) - 21/07/20

Step 3

Insert a plastic opening tool into the notch in the lower case above the battery.
Pry the battery up with the plastic opening tool.
Grab the top edge of the battery and lift it out of the lower case.