How to Take Apart a Nintendo 3DS XL

[@theedgeofdeath220]

You deserve more likes and views. this is a wonderful video!

[@Drumblanket]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I am honesty grateful anyone has watched this video but I am even more grateful that you found it and enjoyed what you saw! I hope to see you around my channel more often!

[@TheMetpower]

@@Drumblanket no because you never did a follow up video.

[@drzeldaglitch]

i found a frcikin silverfish in my 3ds that was still alive and now I cant kill it

[@Tenzil_Kem]

DrZeldaGlitch why?

[@luigi7834]

Did you take care of it? What happened?

[@brittonbutler9177]

Ewww

[@hansohasashi1538]

That’s such an obvious lie.

[@luigi7834]

@@hansohasashi1538 How is it?? It doesn't sound that fantastic or unrealistic. Weirder things have happened to me.

[@Drumblanket]

Thank you to everyone who has watched this video and found my channel!!! What theme would you like to see me turn this 3DS XL into? I'm thinking Nintendo based themes like Mega Man, Zelda, or Metroid.

[@Drumblanket]

So Happy you made it over here!! Thanks for letting me know you did and thank you for saying such nice things! Im debating what Im going to do as far as Mega Man goes. I like making each tutorial unique and teach something new. Id like to do some work with clay. We will see what unfolds!

[@theedgeofdeath220]

do metroid i havent seen alot of those

[@Omar-ir4gk]

@@Drumblanket Hey, what tools did you use for the video? I want to get the tools for a motherboard replacement but I don't know of any toolkits for the repair.

[@Thatgravyishere]

Did you make a video how to put them back?

[@cuberboi848]

marioooo

[@Misaio]

I just modded my old 3ds and wanted to swap the outer shells. Thank god i found this because either they are filming from across the room and down the hall to where i cant see the fine details or they don't explain what is happening and are just speed running it silently while some ost plays. Subbed just for this find. Gobless.

[@ChonkyYT]

Thx. My dad fixed it.

[@s6nyi]

W dad u feel me

[@anthonynugget701]

​@@s6nyi yes

[@mxgic18568]

Me soon

[@DROOG1E]

I was getting the "Error Has Occurred. Hold down the Power Button to turn the power off." message whenever the Wi-Fi was enabled. At 6:10 (the Wi-Fi card), I was able to unseat it, then push the wire back onto the card, and then card back onto the motherboard. This fixed the issue.

[@YuliaLinderoth]

Thanks for this comment, my 3ds got the exact same error! I'm a bit scared to open it up still though.

[@Jordan-AB]

For taking the first bottom panel off, it's easier to just undo 3 or so clips around the sides and lifting it up and forward like a book and you don't have to worry about the bottom clips same with putting it back on just reverse

[@jaymcabee5151]

Just wanted to let you know your video is still helping people, I had a small edge of the analog stick break off and then fall inside and it interfered with the movement of the analog stick. Thanks to this video I was able to get to it and remove the loose plastic piece, back to Luigi's Mansion!

[@Drumblanket]

Luigis mansion is one of the best games ever. Super happy I could help brother!

[@killerofold]

I've always wanted to get a 3DS (maybe not XL but still...) Now I have another reason to get one: I can take it apart! It's interesting to see exactly whats inside them. Tech is so cool

[@Blaumagier]

Good stuff. I only needed to replace the circle pad that my son destroyed, so I only got 5 minutes in, but it was super helpful. Thanks for making this video.

[@Drumblanket]

You're welcome! Glad I could help!

[@soproprioio622]

My little sister also destroyed mine

[@elijah7173]

​@@soproprioio622 kill her

[@VwR28]

These ribbon cables are hell.

[@tygrus3495]

Replacing the middle shell: 35 minutes. Moving in and out the barrel hinge: 4hrs (and counting)

[@everedit4you285]

Sir, u got no idea how much this helped me out. I'm not a tec person at all but I wanned to fix my 3DS XL for a long time now, and now I actually think I can. I'm going to order the parts and fix it up again :) time to relive some epic nostalgia!

[@Drumblanket]

Happy to help!! Let me know how it goes

[@DanielGrovePhoto]

I see everyone saying to use a 2mm Phillips head but my 3ds has three sided screw holes. What do I buy?

[@jasnypuzon]

Thanks for the video! I wanted to replace the speaker ribbon, typical wear and tear situation. I was so excited that I managed to disassemble that unholy hinge, that I accidentally tore the LCD ribbon in the meantime. I got an original recipe 3DS instead of a new screen (same price), but still, being able to take it all apart was super cool!

[@cr_ramosgarcia]

My speakers sometimes have a dip in volume... I assume it's this?

[@MajinTweek]

wheres the video where you put it all back together?

[@duckxrec]

do backward

[@Yellowc0ld]

F that god forsaken grey ribbon cable that connects the bottom screen. Someone at Nintendo is gonna pay for making it impossible to get back in and then gets stripped from trying to put it back in

[@packerman1203]

Have you done a reassembly of it, I can not find one for the life of me, the ribbon cable on the bottom side of the motherboard is giving me a lot of trouble

[@Drumblanket]

In my custom controller tutorials, I show you reassembly

[@beaumartinmusic]

@@Drumblanket I can't seem to find the reassemly video in ur custom controller tutorials, and i am in desperate need of a reassembly guide, ur video was the ONLY good disassembly video i could find and it is very high quality, so having a reassembly video by u would help me out sooo much

[@adobongutong5760]

@@beaumartinmusic i'm going to refurbish my 3DS XL Housing shell too...have you successfully repaired your 3DS XL?

[@Realmadridfan4ever1]

Bo Bo Bear how about now

[@adobongutong5760]

My 3DS XL got broke when i'm in the middle of doing repair, now i sold it online for the spare parts to buy a drawing tablet haha, poor me :

[@Jay-IamOneWithTheDivine]

Thank you, man. Been trying to take mine apart and didn't realize the two hidden screws

[@Drumblanket]

Happy to help

[@ivannabong]

This video is really useful! I wanted to take apart my 3ds xl for cleaning the analog and this is what I'm looking for! Thanks for making this video! Thumbs up to you!

[@tremorchrist84]

Great video, Drum. Appreciate the work you put in to this.

[@FierceDIO]

help! I have an extra ribbon cable above the on at the bottom right and I don't know how to remove it!

[@DualityMusic]

I had the problem that neither my buttons nor the touchscreen responded. Nothing changed except for my touchscreen suddenly being black now. You still helped me disassembling, though.

[@Amelkiciomusic]

the 2nd set of screws are so tight, took me about 30 mins to unscrew them. got my spad fixed tho. i am a DIY God

[@darkdiamonds4337]

Fixing with super glue on the right hinge is exactly what I did and I'm repairing it now

[@zzztriplezzz5264]

I did it with epoxy 😬. Not a good idea at all....

[@AlexisSaless]

How did y'all remove it because I am struggling hella hard

[@emmi6111]

Thanks! I've had mine since I was 9 and I haven't cleaned it at all ever since until today.

[@deanthompson88]

Thanks alot mate, my R trigger felt worn out so i took it apart to take a look and abit of built up dust fell out and now it works perfectly.

[@SnakeSolid702]

This is the best video ive seened for the 3ds. Thank you

[@l1p3zinho]

thanks I was able to clean my B key it was not working properly, now with your help it's working now, thanks!

[@Drumblanket]

Glad I could help!

[@kasumi1245]

Thank you dude! Very nice

[@herksku9051]

Any tips on dull screws?

[@mooblerthomson9851]

Thank you I had to replace a cracked d-pad on a used 3DS XL I bought. This video was great

[@moonthejolteon5113]

I had some stubborn screws but this did help me understand the process, thanks a ton! I can fix the issue with my blue ds. (Tested with my dead red DS first)

[@Tozovbb91GamingMinecraft]

Thanks dude! Your video very helped me with the restauration of my old 3DS XL with broken shell thanks a lot!!!

[@Show-Starter]

This video was very helpful for me thank you for making it

[@CoughAMania]

Thanks so much for this guide! Unfortunately, when taking apart mine, I encountered two screws already stripped from the manufacturer. I’ll find a workaround though. Will definitely recommend this guide to anyone who needs to fix something in theirs!

[@Drumblanket]

Hey, Im glad it worked for you!! Im still debating on what theme im going to go with for the modification.

[@vincintlusher9220]

Try using a rubberband on any form of stripped screws I know i'm late

[@brucefields7009]

I'm gonna try this to troubleshoot my touchscreen issues on my 3DS XL

[@altheeb010]

I give up all I wanted to do was clean [A] button because it has a slow response but I erased three screw heads at the part 1:50

[@billyhatcher643]

removing that platic thing is really hard im having a tough time removing it

[@_____________________________W]

2:06 that's my problem my size 0 screwdriver doesn't fit in it what can I do to unscrew it without a screwdriver?

[@argeuventurini]

Hi, I'm having the same problem. Did you manage to solve it?

[@panghor]

Hey buddy. Can you do an update on some important spots to check for popping of the screen? I can't find any XL specific videos.

[@dwherr]

Awesome, mine was superglued in that exact same spot too. Looks like I somehow got a refurbished model, even though I paid for brand new (probably, this atleast 4 years ago)

[@PEACEWALKER1992]

Thanks for showing! :)

[@musicviolamusician4392]

Help I can’t remove 1 of the 5 screws😕 it’s scratched or broken therefore not allowing me to twist it off

[@shoot5954]

You've worn out your screws. This can happen if you use the wrong screw driver.

[@musicviolamusician4392]

tororpepedodo ya I used iPhone screw driver but I learned that you can use a rubber band. So I’ll try that

[@violetsparkles5453]

i am struggling at the 9:25 part with the hinge, i cant get that plastic bit out to get underneath. im gonna break something if i keep prying

[@supernut444]

This video is well done!

[@Drumblanket]

Thank you so much!!

[@ethanvaughn9386]

I had the Hylian shield 2ds xl, it unfortunately got stolen. I just got a new ds. A 3ds xl and as soon as i get the parts I’m going to take it apart and customize it to look like my old ds but it will be the dark Hylian shield! Im thinking all the buttons and circle pad will either be silver or white. Any recommendations for this project?

[@AA-xm7rt]

Cool project did you finish it? Sucks that the old 3ds got stolen!

[@ethanvaughn9386]

@@AA-xm7rt i did! Doesn’t look the best but its nice!. It’s mostly black and white and it has a silver hylian symbol on the front.

[@AA-xm7rt]

@@ethanvaughn9386 allright! That sound pretty cool! I make like 2 colours DS lites but i'm moving on to newer models soon your idea is good Inspiration for me :) Have a Nice Day!

[@Shinano2001]

I want to swap only the color plates it possible to do that without tear down the whole console?

[@Minchi]

Help! I broke the ribbon connector secure clip at 6:48, and then in an attempt to fix the ribbon in place ripped the ribbon as well! How do I fix it? What does this ribbon do and how I should I replace it?

[@HoosierRC]

Awesome job.

[@drakeisacake]

Thank you! I accediently dissembled my 3ds xl an this will be helpful when I play it backwards!

[@drakeisacake]

@@timothinev9444 wow! You found the funny!

[@SDR_Scooter]

Great video! Very helpful hints on how to take things apart. I only wish you would have had the new shell and put things into the new one as you took the old one apart for ease of remembering how everything goes back together. I would give you multiple likes if I could though. Well talked through and REALLY helpful!

[@robert_wolf6989]

Amazing tutorial

[@Drumblanket]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kaze_acnh4240]

Do we have to use a tri wing screwdriver

[@sonobarretta3283]

really helpful. thanks .

[@johngiammattei1505]

Where is the wrist strap?! I'm trying to remove it so I can remove my 3ds case but even looking it up doesn't help😢

[@monhoj8778]

I accidentally messed up getting the rubber stoppers off the screws below the cartridge slot, but everything else went fine. Ty for making this video or I would have screwed up more lmao

[@tittentei7331]

Thank you so very much🤩

[@TheEndeavoringFamily]

Do you not have a reassembly video?

[@Drumblanket]

At this time, I do not. A lot happened after I made this video and I was never able to give it the attention it needed. However, This year I plan to finish a few projects and this is one of them. I apologize that I never got around to finishing this.

[@CatMuto]

Thank you SO MUCH for this tutorial! I was sitting there with my 3DS XL half-open and could not figure out how to get the inside back off because I missed the cartridge screw and stoppers. Also, some small stuff fell out as I was working it off... pretty sure I can put those back in place. I'm trying to replace the analogue stick, but I cannot get the stick itself out because the washer underneath is in the way. EDIT: Fixed it! Okay, I kinda intentionally destroyed the old analogue stick (plastic cover was off, anyway, it was useless), but I managed to put everything back in place. Buuut now the analogue stick doesn't move at all... the flex ribbon wasn't put back in place, maybe that's it.

[@randomturkeyostriches7715]

Ummm.. the upper screen pads don’t have screws for mine

[@tristammcginty3598]

im having a hard time finding how to remove start home and select.

[@scallyswagger]

Thank you!

[@OllieState1991]

just a note, you fast-forwarded when you took out the ribbons for the top screen so i have no idea what i'm meant to do now -_-

[@luigi7834]

Who else isn't here to fix anything and just wants to see inside?

[@4777512]

how did you took out the one next to the ribbon cable at the bottom ?

[@Tie_Mu]

Where is the in-system SD card located? I want to mod mine but all I find are either videos of newer models where the micro SD is right at the back or videos about the external SD card.

[@im_a_pretzel6715]

Question what does the ribbon cable beneath the sd card reader do cause mine ripped and everything seems finw

[@a.olivares138]

Striped the 4 silver screws under the bottom plate. What do I do?

[@Kaitlyn-tp2dm]

I have a stripped screw in the bottom panel how should I get it out?

[@stooglesgoogles7246]

Use a slightly bigger screwdriver

[@wildbluewings]

I can't remove the 8 screws covering the motherboard, no matter how hard I try.... Help ☹☹

[@Zihette]

I have a small issue and I'm hoping someone can help me fix it! I recently took apart my 3DS XL to fix the B button as it was not working - and it still does not, but now I have another issue. The ribbon cable shown at 4:05 refuses to go back under the black plastic bit properly, and is only supported by the cable on top. I'm fairly certain it is what causes my screen to be pixelated as touch on the screen has become unresponsive... If it's not the cable at fault I'm not sure what I did wrong :[ Would be awesome if someone reading this could help me out as I don't have £40 to dish out on a used system given I'm a broke uni student! Thank you!

[@Thelittlestbear1]

Does anyone know if you need the IR board for the console to boot?

[@sand4488]

Where do I get the wood marker

[@dailydoseofextra]

The pins in my card reader are bent. Do you have a tutorial on how to fix it?

[@alexcoleman9776]

Is there a reassembly video?

[@bababooey1239]

its legit this but backwards lol

[@faristyo6555]

Hey I don't know if u still respond but if u do, What types of screws do I need, I lost basically all of my screws back in the day " I don't know why " and now my 3DS XL is basically open, is there like a list of screws somewhere or maybe a kit with all of it combined?

[@c30a39]

Hey drumblanket glad to see another how to video if I may suggest megaman would be pretty cool

[@Drumblanket]

Im leaning towards Mega Man. Just trying to imagine a good design I will be happy with forever!

[@c30a39]

@@Drumblanket tough call my friend so many mega man designs to choose from I don't envy you in the least on this one

[@Shantae-June22002]

So when trying to fix the 3DS XL is it optional to replace the top and bottom shell of the console because I recently dropped mine on accident and which the Ribbon cable that’s in the Top screen and also the Wi-Fi Antenna snapped but the Top and Bottom shell is fine but the middle housing of the bottom screen is broke on the right side.

[@donom2547]

Some of my screws are refusing to come out

[@shoot5954]

You've worn out your screws. This may happen if you use the incorrect scrww driver. This happened to me before.

[@matthewneukam6927]

@@shoot5954 well what do you do if the screws are worn out

[@garretortner3024]

Hey, I have my entire right hinge come completely off. What should I do about it?? (It was cracked apart from the bottom piece so it can be taken out)

[@ChonkyYT]

Garret Ortner :) same

[@garretortner3024]

@@ChonkyYT go and order a new plastic peiceing, if you take everything apart and put the new price on you should be able to get everything working again

[@femto859]

What component is the little rubber thing on the bottom connected with a ribboncable?

[@BeefyBidoof]

Man everything was going so smooth until the part where you're supposed to lift the plate to expose the board. Shit is STUCK. I got so nervous about snapping the thing in half i just gave up lol l

[@peachykeen4741]

What should I be looking for if my arrow buttons, analog stick and touch screen doesn’t work?

[@jackchristie3170]

There is probably an unattached ribbon cable on the motherboard

[@shoot5954]

I would look for loose and unattached ribbon cables. For the abxy buttons, look for rust on the motherboard of that area. You have to peel off the layer which makes the buttons click. You can scrub off the rust and put the layer back on, and you should be good.

[@peachykeen4741]

tororpepedodo we found out there was a fault on the motherboard so I got myself a new one :) but thx for the advice!

[@TG-sv7ej]

Can you change the top plate without doing all this?

[@fellaini3696]

No.

[@TG-sv7ej]

Martin Tomčala liar you can, just remove the little screw pads then take the screws out

[@shoot5954]

Yes there are 4 screws on the top piece of the 3ds hiding behind those rubbery square pieces.

[@deeeznuuuts]

Did I need to take the whole motherboard out to change the top LED?

[@milanavi5211]

yes

[@Trini2Sikk]

what screwdriver are you using to get the 5 screws out

[@arcadeleon6077]

Phillips size 0 i think

[@afoxytoaster]

I can't get 3 screws to get out

[@blightbuccaneer3333]

Very late comment but, the screws at 2:10 won't come off for me.

[@argeuventurini]

Hi, I'm having the same problem. Did you manage to remove them?

[@blightbuccaneer3333]

@@argeuventurini no i managed to strip the screws so i cant open it.

[@xtencioncord4456]

Guys I need help, you know that she'll where the pencil holder is at? I flipped it and 2 micro metallic rods came out, and I'm not sure where it's supposed to be at

[@arcadeleon6077]

I have 2 ribbon cables in 3:40 (one thin over the thick one shown) and im too scared to damage it, anyone have any tips or have the same problem? Edit: i figured it out, just gently pull it back, hope this helps

[@xChimkin]

the clips near the memory card does not want to let go of the cover

[@tristammcginty3598]

you have tro remove the stylus housing. its only 3 screws. it will lift out. its holding the metal cage in that keeps the sd slot in place

[@moonkehy]

I ended up stipping the screws so now i cant remove the inner panel (step 2) (dont ask me how i have no idea)

[@Drumblanket]

You can order new ones on amazon

[@moonkehy]

@@Drumblanket really? Thanks!

[@davidbryanrdz5955]

So, did nintendo assembled the whole console using tape? lmao

[@BamberRage]

does an memory card exist?

[@felixlgq]

Is the SD port welded on the board? Mine is faulty, but I wanna know if it's easily fixable before taking my 3ds apart.

[@odizzle7844]

Same thing im doing mine has corrosion on the ends so the sd card does not read did you ever figure it out?

[@felixlgq]

@@odizzle7844 still broken, I bought a switch and forgot about it

[@odizzle7844]

@@felixlgq damn i have a switch but it does not have pokemon heartgold

[@Bulebulls34]

Thank u 🎉

[@evilpatrick358]

Can you PLEASE do how to remove a SD card slot from 3DS XL (i mean original 3ds that you were using in this video) ? I really liked the video BTW. You've done an amazing job.

[@alergames147]

I think you can't if you don't want to do any soldering

[@simon_969]

1:32 Not good, take off bottom cover by unclipping left and right side first because the clip at the bottom is much bigger 6:32 not good , prying force on a sliding switch 6:53 not good, using a metal pick risk damaging the clip and the ribbon cable

[@MrBda241]

I screwed up following you trying to clean the buttons to have my Y button work again, I accidentally broke off a lid to a ribbon cable and now the touch screen doesn't work no more. Damn, now I have to buy another 3ds. Edit: Okay, so turns out I just forgot to reconnect a ribbon cable, but not my 3DS won't stop being in 3D mode, and the Y button still doesn't work...

[@Zihette]

do you know which cable that was? Also was the touch screen like... all pixelated and unresponsive to touch? I'm asking because I'm experiencing this issue (and my B button still doesnt work either ;__;)

[@MrBda241]

@@Zihette I have no idea, it's the ribbon cable that is near the headphone jack. The Touch Screen, at first, was not responding to touches at all. Than the Screen wouldn't turn on, but I could touch. After getting it back a 3rd time, my original issue of the Y button still existed. I just stopped trying

[@MrBda241]

@@Zihette Okay Update, after literally 10 months of not knowing, it is the mic that broke. I think I just need to buy a replacement latch for the ribbon cable and it'll work again.