Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Front Button Replacement

Written By: Daniel Tagalog
  • Comments: 19
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Front Button Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

17

Time Required

10 - 15 minutes

Introduction

The front buttons on a Nintendo switch pro controller are supposed to be free flowing and have lightning fast response time. If your controller is not performing at the highest level it can then that means you will keep losing games. The controller has to be the best it can possibly be so that you can play up to your ultimate potential. If your front buttons are sticky, unresponsive, or will not press down all the way, use this guide to remove and replace your buttons. This guide requires a Phillips #00 screwdriver for screw removal.

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    • Flip the controller over so the model stickers face the ceiling.

    • Use a JIS #00 screwdriver to remove the two black 8.4 mm screws that secure the handles, located at the ends of the handles.

    Be carefull, these screws are super easy to strip even with the right tools.

    Lukas Eberharter -

    I tried editing these instructions after I had trouble with stripping screws, but it doesn't seem to take. The issue is that these are JIS and not Phillips screws. They are VERY similar looking but a Phillips head screwdriver will strip the screws.

    Isaac Webb -

    I tried using a Philips #00 screwdriver but it didn’t work

    vincent ingrassia -

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    • Carefully remove the handle covers by pulling them away from the main body.

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    • Use a JIS #00 screwdriver to remove the four silver 6.8 mm screws that secure the clear back plastic cover.

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    • Carefully pry away the clear plastic cover using your fingernail.

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    • Remove the clear plastic cover.

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    • Remove the lithium-ion battery by using a fingernail or plastic opening tool to pry it up on the left side.

    • Only a small amount of force is needed.

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    • Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the five 5 mm screws from the back of the controller.

    • The two case screws above the handgrips and the single case screw below the battery bay have a shallow seat. These three screws can be easily removed.

    • The two case screws adjacent to the ZR and ZL shoulder buttons have a deep seat. Use an extension or a Phillips screwdriver with a longer shaft to reach these screws.

    the 2 screws up at the top are unreachable with the standard fixit kit just a heads up

    drew -

    Seconded. the screws are located too deep below the plastic slot, and the bit holding bulge is too wide for the small aperture (similarly with the flexible extension). the bit length is too shallow to reach.

    An alternative driver with a much narrower & longer shaft is required, which will likely not come with interchangeable bits.

    Douglas Selby -

    I would say it is possible to reach the top left screw, just not the top right - there is a gap in the top left that allows you to slightly bend the standard driver outward to turn it while still making adequate contact.

    El_Mechacontext -

    An update: I was actually able to remove the top right one in a really hacky way - inserting the Phillips #0 bit into the #4 hex bit, and then using that in the standard driver. This added just enough length to successfully reach and make full contact with the screw!

    El_Mechacontext -

    Using the #4 hex bit as an extension was the exact "hack" I needed to get rid of the drift finally. Thank you. You're a lifesaver.

    Das #4 Hex Bit als Verlängerung für das Kreuzschlitz Bit zu nutzen ist zwar etwas eng, aber es erspart einem wirklich einen zusätzlichen Schraubendreher.

    Techn0magier -

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    • Delicately take off the plastic cover from the controller.

    • Do not completely remove the front cover just yet, as it is still attached to the motherboard via a white ribbon cable.

    Didn't realize there is adhesive holding the front cover onto the unit. It's located inside of the handles. Just a bit of force there helped, just be careful of the cable.

    Roger Perez -

    this step is really hard

    XDchlapec -

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    • Use the tip of an opening pick to open the black flap of the ZIF connector by pushing it upwards.

    Having just completed this repair, I noted that this ribbon cable can disconnect on either side. It is easier to disconnect and reconnect from the other side than what is shown in my experience.

    acestronautical -

    @acestronautical is right! much easier to remove the ribbon cable from the button board, connect to the base board and then connect back to the button board. Thank you @acestronautical

    Joe Rickerby -

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    • Use your fingers or a pair of blunt nose tweezers to disconnect the interconnect cable from its connector.

    You don't need to disconnect this as long as you are fine with keeping it close by so as not to rip the ribbon cable.

    Caden Helm -

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    • Remove the front case.

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    • Remove the two 6.8 mm-long screws on the top circuit board using a Phillips screwdriver.

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    • Use a spudger to flip up the locking tab on the ZIF connector.

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    • Remove the black ribbon cable from its connector.

    • Only a small amount of force should be needed to remove the ribbon cable.

    What do I do if the connector snaps off? Is it fixable with solder or electrical tape or should I give up hope?

    Jack Frost -

    This ribbon cable is difficult to reconnect, quality tweezers are required. I was unable to slide the ribbon cable in to where I could no longer see the traces. Take note of how much ribbon cable is exposed before disconnecting so that you can have an easier time judging when the cable is fully inserted upon reconnecting.

    acestronautical -

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    • Remove the trigger buttons from the plastic cover.

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    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 5 mm-long screw securing the front button board.

    • There may be an additional screw. If so, remove it now.

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    • Remove the front button board.

Conclusion

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

Author

Daniel Tagalog

Member since: 10/10/19

1586 Reputation

4 comments

Hey Daniel! Thank you very much for this tutorial.

May I ask you, do you know the part code of this specific board or where I can find it online?? My pro controller d-pad came malfunctioning from factory and I think I’ll challenge myself to try and buy a new one to replace it.

Tassio -

I broke the locking tab on the ZIF connector what can I do?

Jonathan Martinez -

I’ve been looking myself and can’t find any replacement button board to buy - just asking again if anyone knows how to find or where to buy one?

Brandon Green -

if anyone else is reading this article... I easily found a nice set of replacement buttons that fit well on zedlabz. they're made in china and they are good quality rigid plastic with pleasant texturizing so they are easy to grip and press. happy fixing!

George Harrison Fricklas -