DS Lite Fixing Touchy Buttons

[@jmachatch6696]

There is hope! I feared my days of Mario Karts 2005 were numbered as my right turns are starting to be a problem. Thank you!!!!

[@FantasticQuack]

You bet, hope you can get it fixed!

[@ethangorodetsky6049]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED THANK YOU!!! i have been trying to figure out a way for YEARS and years thank you for making this video :)

[@FantasticQuack]

Yo! super happy this helped you out, cheers m8

[@glaciel4769]

That DS and my DS has the same problems, broken hinge on the same side and 2 directional buttons not working. Good thing I found this video.

[@FantasticQuack]

Happy to hear this helped you! Maybe next time I'll fix the hinge too :)

[@JohnPaulsonJohnisaStegosaurus]

thank you this gives me the hubris to open my DS and do some much needed cleaning.

[@FantasticQuack]

You're welcome & Good luck m8!

[@AdisPlays]

You know you’ve been playing way too much Mario Kart DS once your pads start to not respond 😂

[@FantasticQuack]

😂😂

[@mateo4731]

does normal alcohol work if i don't have isopropilic alcohol ?

[@FantasticQuack]

Actually yes. Vodka will work. Though it wont' dry as fast as isopropyl and likely won't work as well.

[@arthodart4712]

Thanks for the guide, helped me fix my little brothers DS lite (:

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad I could help!

[@DutchKidRanger]

THANK YOU! I also had my spring fall down~

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad it helped, those springs are crazy!

[@LittleSkellington]

Just did this and now my buttons work great! However, the sound isn’t working now lol is there some wire I smashed or something?

[@FantasticQuack]

That is odd because the speakers are on the screen side. I would recommend going back in and undo/reconnect every wire that leads to the screen-- making sure they are connected securely. Hope you get it figured out!

[@LittleSkellington]

@@FantasticQuack went back in a few times and checked the wires and stuff and it ended up at the point where the sound would only work if the DS was open to a 90 degree angle, so I gave up and took it in to my local repair shop and they said it was the WiFi chip? Anyway, I got it back and it’s working now but I’m still confused about how the WiFi chip had anything to do with the speakers.

[@FantasticQuack]

@LittleSkellington I've heard the wifi chip on these can cause a lot of non-wifi related problems, so it might be par for the course, but if the sound worked normally at a certain hinge rotation, then to me it suggests an intermittent trace on the relevant cable within that hinge. Did they tell you in specific terms exactly what work they performed on the unit? I'd be curious to know, but in any case I'm glad to hear it's working for you now!

[@urbannavi]

Thank you, just what i needed :D

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad I could help!

[@supermarioluigiandbakon5813]

I wanted to fixing my ds lite d pad button but I don't know what type screwdriver that you used in the video

[@FantasticQuack]

Philips

[@jagadsatriyo6100]

My nds lite screen has some dust inside that, can you show US how to clean that please?

[@FantasticQuack]

You can just clean it off with rubbing alcohol and then blow out any loose particles with canned air.

[@NachoMuncher-g4g]

I spent 1 hour doing this with isopropyl alcohol and it aint workin(70%), and the black gunk is still there can someone help me?

[@FantasticQuack]

Try using a pencil eraser and then follow up with alcohol. You could also try using DeoxIT. As a last resort: mechanical removal with a sharp rounded blade (Xacto knife or scalpel).

[@NachoMuncher-g4g]

@@FantasticQuack thanks

[@jerome5933]

Do i have to do the same if the down button is stuck the whole time

[@FantasticQuack]

Probably the same issue so this would work yes.

[@matheowongleungyuen6774]

I have the same problem as you but me sometimes my right button to move is lift up and left one is down or also when i move to the right it also makes me go up at the same time is it possible that there is something which was moved accidentally in the nintendo?😢

[@FantasticQuack]

It sounds like something cleaning the pads would solve

[@matheowongleungyuen6774]

@@FantasticQuack okay thanks for the advice!

[@nurwanrifianata3715]

All of my DSL buttons are unresponsive, still able to respond but you have to press the button really hard, do i have to change the rubber pad or just clean it from the inside? P.s: Sorry poor grammar

[@FantasticQuack]

What you're describing are the exact symptoms of dirty pads. I'd recommend following this video and applying the cleaning process to every button that is having an issue. you shouldn't need to change out the rubber pad, but you should remove it, clean it thoroughly with soap/water and let it dry.

[@casiowk-110portablekeyboar6]

Great video man, What kind of tri wing did you use? I’m using a Y000 but it seems too small for it

[@FantasticQuack]

Thank you! Y000 is .6mm which probably would be too small. I am almost always using a 2.5mm but sometimes go to the 2mm depending on what feels like it fits best. I think I've only ever had to bust out the .6mm once for something on the 3DS XL.

[@casiowk-110portablekeyboar6]

@@FantasticQuack ahhh makes sense, Thanks for the help bro keep it up 👍🏻

[@ifritace9690]

Awesome vid! thanks man :)

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad you liked it and glad to help, cheers!

[@changoatomico2995]

Will this work for the 3ds?

[@FantasticQuack]

It will be the same process for any console/controller that has uses these rubber membrane switches. I think the 3DS uses "click switches" (don't know the formal name) similar to the GBA SP. I've never had issues with those so am not 100% sure, but if they're not working well it's worth taking a look to see if there is any obvious dirt or debris to clean up.

[@sophiasizer1276]

absolutely none of the buttons until i followed this and tried it- awesome video, super concise

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad this helped you out, thanks for the feedback!

[@teroblepuns]

Those are not Phillips screws, they are JIS (Japanese industry standard) screws. JIS have perfectly sharp cross middle section while the Phillips screwdrivers have a slightly rounded center. They work on JIS, but the damage them.

[@FantasticQuack]

Correct, in my region most people don't have a JIS driver at their disposal. If you're careful using a philips drive you can get by without stripping the JIS heads.

[@sparky6757]

Took a couple hours because the shoulder buttons were being sulky putting it back together, but success! Thank you

[@FantasticQuack]

Happy to help!

[@lofivalentine9852]

Using a sterilized cleaning pad regardless of the shortage caused by the pandemic? Major flex, my dude. Great video! Your editing skills are getting better with each one. An ice cube tray may be an easy way to hold and organize small parts, such as springs and screws, while you are working.

[@FantasticQuack]

Hey man thanks! Haha all joshes aside you can buy IPA and wipes at your favorite store rn without a fuss. I like having my tiny metal pieces all haphazard because then it is a fun puzzle when things come back together--not something I'd recommend though.. There are special low-profile surface organizer trays for this exact stuff but I haven't picked one up.

[@Hans1994yout]

I love the ds lite but I think Nintendo could have made it sturdier.

[@FantasticQuack]

That's why Nerf made those foam cases for them, right? :)

[@DefaultName-fp6tl]

Nice video man, really helps me fixing my buttons

[@FantasticQuack]

I'm glad this was useful for you :)

[@ultimatebreak827]

Thanks! My D-pad works flawlessly now! Tomorrow I’ll reassemble the shoulder buttons

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad you got it working!

[@ultimatebreak827]

@@FantasticQuack yea, now the only thing to get it completely normal is to fix screen flickering. Have you done a video on that?

[@FantasticQuack]

@@ultimatebreak827 I don't yet but I can tell you how to fix it: Open the battery lid and you'll see screw potentiometers to the lower left and lower right of the battery (one is for the bottom screen and the other is for the top screen). With the system powered on, slowly adjust this screw in either direction so you can see how it's affecting the screen in real time. There should be a sweet spot in one direction or the other where the flickering stops and the screen looks good again.

[@ultimatebreak827]

@@FantasticQuack Thanks I thought maybe it was some ribbon or something. Definitely subscribed!

[@ricopury]

Thank you man, your guide has been really helpful.

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad to hear it and thanks for watching!

[@AlmazPlayzz]

Does this work too if the d pad is wiggly ??

[@FantasticQuack]

Do the buttons still work? If the d-pad is "wiggly" that might indicate some damage to the rubber membrane so I would check the condition of that.

[@AlmazPlayzz]

Ok thank you

[@bobbymak6964]

This looks exactly like my Nintenfo DS. Same color, same hinge and button problem.

[@FantasticQuack]

I wouldn't be surprised if there were hundreds+ in this same color / condition haha

[@supermarioluigiandbakon5813]

What type of screwdriver is used in the video?

[@FantasticQuack]

It's a small Philips driver, I can't remember the exact size but they're usually sold in a kit, it will be the smallest or 2nd smallest in the kit. I think 1mm or 1.5mm

[@valeries247]

Is it ok to use ethyl alcohol instead or is there any difference? And also do you have to be very careful with the liquid? I was wondering if it's damaging anything if there's too much liquid

[@FantasticQuack]

I would avoid ethyl alcohol as it can leave water/residue behind unless you have really high purity stuff. The amount of liquid isn't really a concern as long as it's turned off/no power, and of course need to make sure everything is completely dry before applying power.

[@TANKTREAD]

My control pad(right side) is becoming unresponsive. There's no way to fix it without opening the actual system, correct?

[@FantasticQuack]

To do it properly you gotta take 'er apart.. but luckily you don't have to go that deep nor mess with the screen side

[@Rangakycks]

I have a button issue but mine is sometimes when I press either the A, X or B buttons my DS shuts off, could a dirty circuit cause this issue as well?

[@FantasticQuack]

That is not something I've run into before, there might be some corrosion damage on the board itself. I would get in there and take a look and clean things off with alcohol as a first step.

[@yours_truly_jesus_2827]

My ds lite has that problem the button Y and A only work if I press really hard on them and the left and right button only work when I also press really hard. Can you please tell me all the tools that I need to do what you did pls

[@FantasticQuack]

Hello! Thanks for watching. Please see the updated video description which should now answer your question.

[@yours_truly_jesus_2827]

FantasticQuack thank you so much

[@edge0601]

brother is sacrificing on his laptop for us huge respect by my side

[@FantasticQuack]

I do all my woodworking on that surface too

[@fight_2380]

fucked up a screw, and got mad broke the whole thing 🤝

[@FantasticQuack]

🫢 sorry to hear that

[@Not_cee]

Can i just drop a lil alcohol on my A button?

[@FantasticQuack]

I won't stop you but your results with any "quick fix" may vary

[@zarlorin3728]

i have the right try wing but i cant unscrew the one at the ds slot .... fml

[@FantasticQuack]

This and 3DS XL are notorious for easy to strip screws since they are so small. You could try the rubber band technique or drill off the head of the screw as a last resort. I might do a video specifically on this topic at some point.

[@zarlorin3728]

@@FantasticQuack I tried the rubberband but my trywing screwdriver just drills through the band. Which drillsize would I need?

[@FantasticQuack]

@@zarlorin3728 just one that's the same or slightly smaller diameter than the head of the screw. Once the head is drilled off you can remove the shell and work out the threaded portion of the screw with a needle nose pliers

[@thingsss717]

Thanks

[@FantasticQuack]

You bet!

[@92000]

Try some magnesium supplementation for your shaky hands, my friend.

[@FantasticQuack]

My hands may shake, but they get the job done!

[@barrymanutts8223]

@@FantasticQuack great video, I used this guide to take it apart/ put back together no problem and the only issue I have is I wasn’t able to get all the black spots off the button part on the board( I don’t no technical terms) and upon putting it back together the button still is finicky albeit not as bad. Wondering if you have any suggestions on gettin the black spots off I’m using a qtip and 99% alcohol

[@FantasticQuack]

@@barrymanutts8223 try a pencil eraser and then alcohol

[@naichiliu9431]

Good tutorial.Just don't forget remove gba slot cover first!!!!!

[@FantasticQuack]

Good tip! so many of them these days just don't have them that I didn't even think about mentioning it.

[@JessyEdmonds]

I have the same issue, with the exact same directions too, just need a smaller screw driver lol

[@FantasticQuack]

Yea some DS/3DS models have the smallest cross head screws compared to other handhelds.

[@Bruh-vd3cp]

do you think its loose because of the broken case or the mechanism inside the hinge? also I will be cleaning buttons mine has the same problem

[@FantasticQuack]

tbh I didn't look that closely at it and have since returned the system to its owner. It seems most likely that the missing part of the case had some feature that interacted with the hinge. So the hinge is likely fine, it just doesn't actuate properly since the mating part is missing.

[@littlebluedude9490]

the bottom right screw, in the battery slot, won’t come out. dammit.

[@FantasticQuack]

Sounds like it's stripped :( Might need to drill it out if it's bad enough.

[@yours_truly_jesus_2827]

I have problems my A and Y are really black and I use isopropyl alcohol and it didn’t work what should I do ?

[@FantasticQuack]

The alcohol should work. If it's quite dirty, patience and a bit of elbow grease are key. Otherwise a pencil eraser works well for cleaning gold-plated contacts. If it is really bad, the last resort would be to scrape the gunk off with a spudger or similar tool (i.e. guitar pick). when the gunk is gone, the last step should be a final clean with alcohol. Take care not to leave any residue/shavings from the cleaning process behind in the enclosure. Hope that helps.

[@yours_truly_jesus_2827]

FantasticQuack thank you man

[@ultimatebreak827]

0:32 literally my exact problem lol

[@FantasticQuack]

The hinge? Yeah that's an unfortunate problem since you'd need a salvage unit or a new shell for replacement parts to fix it properly.

[@ultimatebreak827]

@@FantasticQuack no the left dpad thing, the hinge sounds awful

[@lauracantahimnos]

Thank you very much! 🤗

[@FantasticQuack]

You’re welcome 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@nicolasmoreno9143]

Thanks, know I have a broken power switch.

[@FantasticQuack]

The switch was broken during the teardown? Might just be something was not put back together correctly.

[@nicolasmoreno9143]

@@FantasticQuack A little warning wouldn't hurt anyone...

[@shadyouge]

What causes this?

[@FantasticQuack]

The gunk on the button pads blocks the bottom from making the electrical connection. Cleaning off that gunk allows it to function normally.

[@Anne-ot8gq]

This worked great!!

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad it helped!