Switch Pro Controller Case Replacement

Written By: Jean Galindez

Comments: 15

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 minutes

Introduction

This guide is used for the replacement of the case on your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Take precaution when completing this guide because it involves the removal of a lithium-ion battery. If the battery is swollen, check out this resource on how to dispose of a swollen battery. To complete this guide correctly you must complete steps eight and nine with caution so as to not damage the white ribbon cable.

Tools

Parts

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Case

Step 1

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 -

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

Carefully pry away the clear plastic cover using your fingernail.

Step 5

Remove the clear plastic cover.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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 - 06/02/21

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 - 05/03/21

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 -

Step 8

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 -

Step 9

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 -

Step 10

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 -

Step 11

Remove the front case.

Conclusion

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

Author

Jean Galindez

Member since: 16/09/20

706 Reputation

2 comments

I wondered why Xbox X controllers grips were difficult to remove and also make a squeak sound when the plastic part is not closing properly but a double-sided tape should do it...

Nicholin V - 07/04/22

Disassembly was fine, but reassembly was a bit trickier. Removing the front casing from the chassis as in step 8 required a bit of force, since it seemed like the two were clipped together. Putting the two together, I can't seem to find where exactly that clipping connection was. I'd ignore it and move on to the screws, but it doesn't fit flush and I'm left with this narrow gap at the top that seems to be causing trouble. Any idea where I should be looking/applying pressure?

winter -