Nintendo Switch Rear Panel Replacement
crwdns2944107:0crwdnd2944107:0Craig Lloydcrwdnd2944107:0crwdnd2944107:0crwdnd2944107:013crwdnd2944107:0crwdne2944107:0
crwdns2944111:0Mha 15, 2025crwdne2944111:0
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crwdns2942287:0crwdne2942287:0Follow this guide to replace a cracked or damaged rear panel on the Nintendo Switch.
The Switch uses JIS screws. A JIS 00 driver works best, but you can also use a JIS 000 driver. If you use a Phillips driver, you'll risk stripping the screws.
Note: This guide, and the part we sell, are compatible with the original Nintendo Switch model released in 2017, as well as the newer refreshed model released in 2019 (model numbers HAC-001 and HAC-001(-01), respectively).
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Press and hold down the small round button on the back of the Joy Con controller.
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While you hold down the button, slide the controller upward.
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Continue sliding the Joy Con upward until it's completely removed from the console.
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Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the four 6.3 mm-long screws securing the rear panel.
Had to use a Y0 from my kit - the Y00 was too small to get a grip on the screw.
I also had a much easier time with Y0 versus Y00. Y00 felt like it was starting to strip the first screw I tried to remove.
Joe -
My screws took a little coaxing before they were all ready to come out of the back plate, but I remedied this by turning the screwdriver as little as possible with each turn. Use almost no pressure, except for at the very beginning of each screw’s first turn.
I think my screws are stripped, any way to get them out?
I hear that using a rubber band can help? Not 100% sure on that though.
Pifase -
My top 2 screws are stripped, one into triangle, the other circle, rather than triangle spokes.
This happened when I replaced the micro-sd card slot, which turned out to have replaced the broken one with another one that turns out to be broken. I need to fix the fact that when I reapplied the back cover, the vent was misaligned.
I had huge problems removing the bottom two screws. I continued with the next steps and lifted the plastic shell as much as possible while using the screwdriver and it became an ease.
y0 works best. Press HARD at beginning then ease off to finish.
what to do if your screw is stripped??
I haven't tried neither solutions that I am gonna propose here but
1. Poor some Isopropyl Alcohol, one small drop will do, get a piece of cotton (not any clothing) and dip it in the Isopropyl Alcohol, apply and then try to get a grip with tweezers and turn it out
OR (I do not reccomend it since it can cause huge damage if done wrong)
2. Grab a small drill and drill through the screw. Keep in mind; the screw is very small.
If you do one of these and it goes wrong, I am not responsible for that.
I had to file down the point of the y00 bit. As it came, I was not able to get the back screws out. It would just slip in the screw.
Y1.5 is correct, perfect fit.
this is so difficult the screwdriver doesnt help AT ALL
One of my screws was unremovable, so I gently turned the cover so the full place was available and that worked.
Y00 was perfect for me.
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Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the following screws securing the rear panel:
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One 2.5 mm-long screw on the top edge of the device
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Two 2.5 mm-long screws on the bottom edge of the device
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Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the two 3.8 mm center screws on the sides of the device (one on each side).
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Use your finger to flip up the kickstand on the back of the device.
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Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the 1.6 mm screw in the kickstand well.
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Close the kickstand.
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Open the game card cartridge flap.
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Lift the rear panel up from the bottom of the device and remove it.
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Compare your new replacement part to the original part. You may need to transfer remaining components from the new part before installing.
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 Answers community for help.
Compare your new replacement part to the original part. You may need to transfer remaining components from the new part before installing.
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 Answers community for help.
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Excellent and concise guide.
The new panel doesn’t come with the sticky grille pieces x 2 on the bottom. Is it supposed to be a straight transfer between the old and the new?
You can transfer the grill to the new back plat
Just did this replacement and there are a few things to keep in mind that this review does not mention. There are x2 square foam pieces that can be transferred to the new panel located at the bottom backside of the old. Also, the game cartridge shield hardware and the kickstand holder hardware have to be taken off the back of the old panel and transferred to the new panel. The kickstand has 2 Phillips #000 screws and the game cartridge shield has 1 Phillips #000 screw
How do you transfer the foam pieces? Use some heat to loosen their adhesive and then remove them and transfer over the new backplate?
Is the casing the same between the HAC model and the HAD model? This guide doesn’t specify
I am using iFixit Pro tool kit. What to do if one of the 000 screw’s cap appears to be stripped off? How to extract it if perchance?
I had trouble removing the outermost screws, I think they’re actually Y00 as opposed to Y00. Not sure if I’m the only one who’s had an easier time with Y000, if they are I’ll update the wiki
I can’t take out the back screws of my switch with y00 ?
Detailed guides like this are so helpful!
Swapped the backplates in less than 20 minutes with no issues. I recommend that you press on the screw firmly and turn slowly. Do this and check as you turn and you shouldn't strip any screws.
I wanted to support ifixit, and was ok with it being over 3x as expensive as Amazon as it's probably better parts ($13 vs $45). But Amazon had next day delivery whereas here standard is 5-10 days and express is 3-5. I really want to support you guys but you've got to be competitive somehow...
Are you guys able to provide the “exact” dimension and thread size for each screw. It would make it easier on use non hardware techies
