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Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement

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Follow this guide to remove or replace the shield plate inside the Nintendo Switch Lite.

The Switch Lite 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.

Note: Removing the shield plate will require cleaning off thermal paste and reapplying it to the heatsink.

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  1. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Remove the back panel screws: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
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    • Before beginning this repair, make sure that the device is completely turned off.

    • Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the four 6.3 mm-long screws securing the back panel.

    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

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  2. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Remove the top and bottom back panel screws: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Remove the top and bottom back panel screws: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • Use a JIS 000 driver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the following screws securing the back panel:

    • Two 3.6 mm-long screws on the top of the device

    • Two 3.6 mm-long screws on the bottom of the device

    • To prevent these tight screws from stripping, apply firm downward force, work slowly and try a different screwdriver if the screws won't come out.

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  3. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Release the clips securing the back panel: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Release the clips securing the back panel: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • Insert an opening tool into the left speaker grille on the bottom of the device.

    • Twist the opening tool to release the clips securing the back panel.

    • Avoid inserting the opening tool further than required to prevent damage to the speaker module.

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  4. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Continue releasing the clips around the device: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Continue releasing the clips around the device: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • Slide the opening tool around the bottom-left corner to release the clips on the left side of the device.

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  6. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Twist to release the clips: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Twist to release the clips: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • Insert an opening tool into the right speaker grille on the bottom of the device.

    • Twist the opening tool to release the clips.

    • Avoid inserting the opening tool further than required to prevent damage to the speaker module.

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  7. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Slide and pry around the corners: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Slide and pry around the corners: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • Slide and pry the opening tool around the bottom-right corner to release the clips on the right side of the device.

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  8. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • Continue sliding and prying the opening tool along the gap on the top of the device to release the clips.

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  9. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Remove the back panel: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Remove the back panel: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Remove the back panel: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

    • Lift the bottom edge of the back panel, opening it like a book.

    • Remove the back panel.

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  10. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement, Remove the shield plate: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Use a JIS 000 driver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the following four screws:

    • Three 3.1 mm screws

    • One 4.5 mm screw

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  11. Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Nintendo Switch Lite Shield Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

    • Use a spudger or your fingers to lift the shield plate up and out of the device.

    • You may feel a bit of resistance. This is normal, since the shield plate is slightly bonded to the heat sink with thermal paste.

    • Remove the shield plate.

    • Clean off the old thermal paste from the shield plate and heat sink using isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth. Apply new thermal paste to the heat sink before reassembly.

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

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

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

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