Nintendo Switch OLED Model Kickstand Hinges Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl
  • Comments: 2
Nintendo Switch OLED Model Kickstand Hinges Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

18

Time Required

30 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the kickstand hinges in your Nintendo Switch OLED.

The Switch OLED's dock uses JIS screws, but you can use a Phillips screwdriver in a pinch. Be very careful not to strip the screws. iFixit's Phillips bits are designed to be cross-compatible with JIS-style screws.

  1. Aqkr2qcpW2EMRoth
    Aqkr2qcpW2EMRoth
    jjMbZnUwELeWEVim
    QZwg2fkraMcQnqBH

    • 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.

  2. TpnHGZP1vnaRNl1l
    TpnHGZP1vnaRNl1l
    ohHBvxtofSySZRqx
    MyMBxFvHAHUJa5Mb

    • Continue sliding the Joy Con upward until it's completely removed from the console.

    • Repeat this same process for the other Joy Con.

  3. GUyCUqLYIkbtu1cL
    GUyCUqLYIkbtu1cL
    pbRrj3ADA6YBcIij

    • Use a Phillips driver, or a JIS driver, to remove the 2 mm-long screw securing the top of the rear case to the frame.

    • To prevent these tight screws from stripping, apply firm downward force, work slowly, and try another JIS or Phillips driver if the screws won't come out.

  4. 1VdcuiWFJxrZADDI
    1VdcuiWFJxrZADDI
    BS1xpadlFjbhrNDL

    • Use a Phillips driver to remove the two 2 mm-long screws securing the bottom of the rear case to the frame.

  5. dkQ6QTfPeKCjlwgZ
    dkQ6QTfPeKCjlwgZ
    4UOJFFNNbw4D2CIh

    • Use a Phillips driver to remove the 3.8 mm screw securing the right Joy-Con sensor rail to the rear case.

    • To prevent these tight screws from stripping, apply firm downward force, work slowly and try another JIS 000 or PH 000 driver if the screws won't come out.

  6. 3AsKZQq325jJThdd
    3AsKZQq325jJThdd
    MtCLPPHRy4mHtAmL

    • Use a Phillips driver to remove the 3.8 mm screw securing the left Joy-Con sensor rail to the rear case.

  7. sNJbmOTjRKA5XDSL
    sNJbmOTjRKA5XDSL
    Q4bPLTJRaXLFB2gV

    • 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.

  8. SXpL4PMsKNHZMplU
    SXpL4PMsKNHZMplU
    jKt41kIGlE2BeD12

    • Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the two 4.3 mm screws securing the rear case to the frame.

    Before the next step remove any game cards in the console

    Zach -

  9. GnRPlyTSRwEETkRr
    GnRPlyTSRwEETkRr
    t1xAVOyNcIPWdOZs
    Gqe2XivWAcVrDipk

    • Lift the rear case up from the top of the device and remove it.

    • If you're having trouble removing the case, use an opening pick to pry up the plastic clips.

    Just a heads up that, even after removing the screws, the rear plate is still heavily clipped in place. I recommend using an opening pick or opening tool to carefully pry it up starting at the top and working your way down the sides. Once you get to the bottom, the speaker grilles are a little tricky. They're attached to the rear plate, but they can get stuck easily as you're removing the back plate.

    Craig Lloyd -

  10. dri1hhKe1LyQCXcn
    dri1hhKe1LyQCXcn
    bdqadnjMi3cB21IO

    • Use Phillips driver to remove the four 2.1 mm screws securing the kickstand to the rear case.

  11. 2xKXVxhJIIDNIZbC
    2xKXVxhJIIDNIZbC
    IAIoBLXtcT2It2JU

    • Open the kickstand.

    • Use a Phillips driver to remove the 1.7 mm screw located on the side of the hinge bracket.

    • Repeat this same process for the other hinge bracket.

  12. kSgmUcNFSZ2udMWi
    kSgmUcNFSZ2udMWi
    BiIubUFePeTElJmJ
    T2BVLR3hKtBhcM6k

    • Close the kickstand.

    • Insert the point of spudger between the hinge bracket and the top of the hinge.

    • Pry upward to release the bracket from its plastic clips.

  13. AAHEFmLI6wDL5eJP
    AAHEFmLI6wDL5eJP
    y2wKC4QjeFWicRNA

    • Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the hinge bracket.

    • Repeat this process for the other hinge bracket.

  14. QksNXcmm2PG4W6By
    QksNXcmm2PG4W6By
    PyCSFnHchMqCJcIW
    udNGORCbtivPEkrX

    • Remove the kickstand from the rear case.

  15. CGQEdGVF3epkCmRw
    CGQEdGVF3epkCmRw
    w6RFoa2Tj1wZXYxU

    • Insert the flat of a spudger between the hinge bracket and the bottom of the hinge.

    • Pry upward to release the hinge bracket from its plastic clips.

  16. vAhVWGgwioLEpdDy
    vAhVWGgwioLEpdDy
    ZNZgjyReDWHGgLUL

    • Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the hinge bracket.

    • Repeat this process for the other hinge bracket.

  17. uDuvZtpyI2XsQHer
    uDuvZtpyI2XsQHer
    XYLUQaR1U5BWcPPR

    • Fold the hinges around the kickstand to reveal the screws.

    • Use a Phillips driver to remove the four 2.3 mm screws securing the hinges to the kickstand.

  18. HUagEnF3AgZNCvN6
    HUagEnF3AgZNCvN6
    R6CYxiJqmle1pHku

    • Use tweezer, or your fingers, to remove the hinge.

    • Repeat this process for the other hinge.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before you install it.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Nintendo Switch OLED Answers community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

117875 Reputation

0 comments