Nintendo 3DS XL Hinge/Midframe Replacement

Written By: FixitKevin

Comments: 5

Nintendo 3DS XL Hinge/Midframe Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

35 minutes

Introduction

This is a guide on how to replace the hinge/midframe of the Nintendo 3DS XL. A broken hinge on the 3DS XL can lead to more damage to the midframe if left broken. This leads to the device not closing properly or feeling uncomfortable to use. Thus, it is necessary to replace the midframe when it becomes too damaged. The process of replacing this part is a bit difficult and has a lot of small steps, so a guide is needed to lead people through the process. This guide will show you every step in the process of disassembling a 3DS XL properly, since a few of the parts are a bit delicate. The replacement does not need any prior knowledge on technology to do. The process does require patience and carefulness.

Tools

Parts

Nintendo 3DS XL Front Frame

Step 1

Flip the 3DS XL upside down.

Step 2

Remove the two 4.2 mm screws from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 3

Use an opening tool to pry the cover loose and lift the back cover.
Caution: Make sure to lift the side with the screws up first as to not break hooks on the cover.

Step 4

Use an opening tool to remove the battery.

Step 5

Remove the six 6.2 mm screws from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Remove the single 2.3 mm screw from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 6

Use your hands to carefully remove the back cover at an angle, while keeping it connected to the top edge with caution regarding the ribbons.

Step 7

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully detach both of the ribbon cables connected to the back cover.

Step 8

Remove the two 7.5 mm screws from the white plate.
Use your fingers to lift it off the space carefully.

Step 9

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small plastic circle from the opened space.

Step 10

Use your fingers to carefully disconnect the small green rectangle (network board).

If anybody is wondering what this green rectangle is, it's the WiFi-board.

Blaxyy -

Step 11

Remove the ten 3 mm screws from the motherboard with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 12

On the bottom right corner, remove the small plastic piece using a pair of tweezers.

Step 13

On the bottom left corner, remove the small plastic piece using a pair of tweezers.

Step 14

With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the ribbon cable from the latch on the top right corner.

Actually, there are tiny hinges you can flip up to release the ribbon cables. Source: putting mine back together.

Yvette Williams -

Step 15

With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the second ribbon cable from the latch on the top right corner.

Step 16

With caution yet with slight force, use your hands to lift the screen and the green motherboard from the frame.
Caution: There is still a ribbon cable connected, so do not suddenly remove what was lifted.

Step 17

With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the ribbon cable at the hinge from the latch.

Step 18

Use your fingers to disconnect the green rectangle (network board) from the small green cable.

Step 19

Flip the 3DS XL right side up and open it.

Step 20

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small rubber squares from each corner of the front screen.

Step 21

Remove the four 4.3 mm screws from the top screen using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 22

Use your hands to remove the top cover by pushing the cover horizontally away from the hinges, as to not break any plastic hooks.

Step 23

Flip the 3DS XL upside down and find the top left hinge.
In the small opening, use a small opening tool to push the small white plastic piece down towards the other hinge.
Caution: A decent amount of force will be needed to push it down, so use a small but sturdy object that can fit in the opening to push it down.

Step 24

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small black plastic piece covering the hinge.

Step 25

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small clear plastic piece from the hinge.
At this point you can remove the bottom frame from the left hinge using your hands.

This is actually the right hinge.

Kristina Riczu - 03/02/24

Step 26

At the top right hinge, use your hands to carefully slide the ribbon cables through a small gap next to the hinge to remove them from the bottom frame.

this is actually the left hinge.

Kristina Riczu -

Step 27

Use your fingers to remove all buttons and rubber covers from the old frame and place them into the new frame.

Conclusion

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

Author

FixitKevin

Member since: 25/10/23

466 Reputation

One comment

the photos leave a lot to be desired as I can't even see the small part that you take off to access the hinge itself unfortunately and now I am stuck with a completely taken apart 3ds lx that does not work without taking off the hinge.

Hailey Allen -