Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Teardown

[@BrySkye]

Definitely credit to Nintendo for finally abandoning the use of Tri-Point screws, at least on this controller.

[@Tronicsfix]

Yep, that's a nice feature!

[@Aitor]

Credit to Nintendo for making this overpriced "pro" controller with a lifespan of a single year.

[@Atr0]

do you mean to say that your controller broke...?

[@elwinroyale]

Though none of my screwdrivers got it open

[@stoopidhaters]

@@Aitor Nani? Stick Dorifto?

[@itsmeike]

The rumble pack adhesive is actually ridiculously impressive. I have pulled them up and pushed them back in like five times, soaked and scrubbed them with IPA, heated them up, and done everything imaginable and I can still just pop them back in and they stick just fine

[@RobsonLanaNarvy]

It was easier that I imagined, thanks for the explanation. I cleaned the joysticks and now it is working fine!

[@Astromyxin]

You didn't take apart the top half with the buttons in it.

[@seventeenraccoonsinatrenchcoat]

lol yeah thats why I was here too

[@nbdyknws4446]

Yupp i was here for that too

[@Moonchopper32]

Not a complete teardown - should have included breaking all of the buttons and their components out.

[@micksterminator3]

For real. I just bought a used one with finger gunk all over everything. I wanna give it a good bath 😅

[@animationoverflow6976]

DUDE THANK YOU my joystick was drifting and you helped me disassemble it and change the joystick

[@RedPixel4]

hey, where did you find an analogue stick ?

[@mounne13]

@@RedPixel4 Ebay: "Switch Pro Joystick Replacement"

[@cdreamworld]

Thanks. This really helped me out opening up a used 7:33 Nindiga switch pro controller to clean up.

[@shikatanai]

I would have liked to see you take apart the front button assembly. I'm in the middle of replacing the shell of my controller and i needed to see where a specific part goes

[@nobully_osu]

would have been nice if you took apart the top half where the buttons were, but it was pretty easy to figure out. you disconnect the black ribbon cable and unscrew the 4 screws that are on the board and top piece of plastic. then pop it off. once you do that it exposes all of the buttons and rubber contacts underneath

[@rynengan]

Thanks a lot for this video, I was able to fix my Pro Controller Drift thanks to it!

[@robertthompson6428]

Thank you! My son spilled orange juice all over his controller and it was not working well at all. With the help of your video we were able to disassemble it and clean it and now it seems fine. We had to take it farther than you did in the video - we had to remove all the boards and buttons and clean everything with isopropyl alcohol, there was sticky OJ everywhere.

[@nathanjohnson2474]

Hey Steve @TronicsFix... thank you for having this channel. Video games have always been a hobby of mine, but I also LOVE to tinker. My Pro Controller that I got the day the Switch came out finally started to give me issues recently. Joy Sticks were not calibrating. Couldn't get them to stay centered. So, I followed your links and bought some stuff on Amazon (screwdrivers, anti-static mat, and I.P.A.) and, largely thanks to your other cleaning videos, this video helped me get my 70 dollar controller working like BRAND NEW again! Thanks for doing what you do! If you're ever in Eastern Washington, drop me a dime and I'll buy you a beer. Nate

[@brownie2648]

this is genuinely the nicest yt comment i have ever seen

[@charliedolan5016]

@@brownie2648 same

[@sw33t.angela]

I got this controller and it feels like a brick. The fact that it's extremely repairable is a bonus. Props to Nintendo and props to you for doing a teardown. The sticks feel pretty solid to me, hopefully the analog sensors don't wear.

[@Aitor]

The analog sticks are now soldered so no, not very repairable friendly.

[@madaudio58]

@@Aitor it looks pretty easy, if you can't solder you have no business judging how repairable something is

[@Aitor]

@@madaudio58 I have no problem soldering. But that has nothing to do with calling something repairable friendly, don't you think?

[@stoopidhaters]

@@Aitor Umm, majority of Nintendo controllers soldered the sticks i.e GCN, Wii, Wii U (game pad was modular though).

[@Manuel012387]

Just attempted a repair with a another guy's video that didn't specify that the Phillip Screwdriver should be a J00... I ended up stripping one of the screws ...and I'm debating between buying a $70 tool kit to repair a screw and drift in one joystick... Or buying a whole new $60 controller...

[@king._.foddaless2925]

the way you throw everything lmao

[@Tronicsfix]

Glad you find that entertaining!

[@CodyTheBlackChickenSubscribe]

Thank you I needed to replace the left stick and now I was able to thank you!

[@gtfafm1036]

Thanks for taking apart the controller and not taking apart the other half of it with all the buttons on it, I guess...

[@Crymzon1980]

i noticed that as well, i waqnted to see that portion too

[@HotChook]

That's a rude comment. it's a very high quality video for an independently ran channel. If you want to offer criticism it's pretty easy to do without being a prick about it.

[@master2873]

@@HotChook If it was high quality, they would have done the full year down, and know the difference in the L & R buttons, from the Xbox 360, and One's LB & RB buttons. They're not the same. He would have known this, just by pressing them, or you know... doing a full teardown like the video is stating it is...

[@HotChook]

@@master2873 ok sure - not really the point I was making tho

[@shtkn7988]

thanks for the video, helped me with disassembling and cleaning my controller

[@angrtxy3d436]

Y are the screws soooo small i could open it

[@Tav_cr]

The screws are not Phillips standard hey are JIS 00, that's why everybody, including me, strips the screws. I just noticed this a little too late.

[@stoopidhaters]

The first 6 screws (handles and battery cover) I had no issues using Phillips 00, but the last 5 little suckers are very close to being unscrewable. I'm actually not mad at Nintendo but myself for being so stupid. I'm glad I now know what Phillips actually means as I always thought any screwdriver with 4 points + is called a Phillips. JIS has a nice sound to it kinda like JDM.

[@Tav_cr]

@@stoopidhaters I couldn't go that far to notice. Probably never will. 😔

[@LezGrl79]

Was hoping you mentioned where the Bluetooth was located. Mine died on my controller so I was hoping to see what I needed to replace.

[@BOTzerker]

While the controller is comfortable to use, the analog stick durability is horrible. In 2017, after a month of use, Nintendo had to send me a replacement under warranty. The replacement lasted me until 2019 requiring me to blow air under the housing more often until the temporary fix was only giving me a minute of use. I've since been using a Sony PS4 controller with a USB adapter. The rumble feature did not work with Splatoon 2, but I usually turn off rumble on any console I play on.

[@squirtyharry]

Glad you dont have to take apart the entire motherboard to access the joystick like with most controllers

[@BFarmer1980]

What did you use to get those first two screws off, a nuclear powered drill? Those things are almost fused in place on my Pro Controller. Won't even start to loosen.

[@VXFluff]

same issue for me. I had to push REAAALLY hard and try to use my fingers on the side of the screwdriver to turn it with as much force as i could. EDIT: Finally managed to get all of the screws. Ended up getting a minor blood blister on my thumb from the sheer force i used on the screwdriver. Generally, you would think controller screws aren't too tight but i guess not.

[@TheConstructive]

I basically instantly stripped mine. Not sure what to do now :/

[@fightingninja89]

This is a very useful guide. I spilled oreo milk on my controller and I could see it sloshing around, this saved me from having to buy a new one!

[@zeldededeab9966]

It would be nice if the stickboxes were screwed in like later model gamecube controllers/wii classic controllers etc. Makes for easier transplantation in the future when they go bad.

[@mattb9664]

This is a really solid and high quality controller! The $70 is partially justified (should cost $50-$60).

[@crusadertwo239]

i got mine for 50-60 i dont remember walmart discounts them alot it seems

[@juicygamer9724]

Thx2allgamefans!

[@n000rbi1]

Thank you, Steve. Great work, as always.

[@Tronicsfix]

Thank you!

[@GhoulishHenchman]

Thanks very much, i spilled some lemonade over my controller thanks to my cats and i was too afraid of destroying something when just doing it on my own. After this video it just took 30 minutes to clean all buttons and everything is perfect again ❤️

[@RazeAndJadith]

the triggers are the part i needed and it was ignored. dang

[@moquedami]

My R button stopped working. I opened the controller and saw the test pads well identified. Could i solder a cable directly the to add a small switch replacing the original button?

[@NobleSavior]

Thank you so much, I finally got rid of that annoying squeaking sound on the joy sticks

[@ChrisShine]

Thank you for tearing down. On 4:21it looks like the thumbsticks are a tiny bit away from the motherboard, but I'm not sure. It must be cause a peace of plastic in the middle prevents it to be closer on the board. Or there is a mould where they can stick in. Maybe someone replaced it already and can tell

[@DerpSerpi]

thx for the vid, helped me a lot when i had to remove a plastic piece that was blocking the right trigger button

[@samuelgentry4125]

Thanks cleaned all the dead skin that collected over the years in the controller

[@DeadlySerpent]

Hey Steve (sorry if I spelled your name wrong), I have been a big fan of your channel for a while now. I believe my ribbon cable is broken because my daughter tried to wash off my pro controller because my other daughter got toothpaste on it. When I finally got the correct tools later in the day to take it apart, I noticed that the ribbon cable was chard. I used 70% isopropyl alcohol (I would have used 90%, but 70% was all I had at the time) to clean up all the spots where it got wet, including the chard part of the ribbon cable; however, it will not power on now. I suspect the ribbon cable. Do you have an affiliate link for a ribbon cable connecting the controller's top and bottom half? It's the white ribbon cable.

[@lullylew9083]

oh ffs I need another screwdriver to get down to those ones? This ifixit kit is becoming more and more of a let down by the day.

[@ioannistompros1830]

I love how you throw the garbage behind you! 😂

[@Tronicsfix]

Cool!

[@waffluru]

For some reason this using the same batteries as the 3DS is hilarious to me

[@giovanniponce6297]

if only I had a switch 😂

[@giovanniponce6297]

Jackie Yanish ya I could buy.......ehh I want one but for no money 😂

[@ckkiockkio1148]

if only i had a pro controller :(

[@ahmadawala2885]

K

[@darximor]

I didn't know that the battery was the same as the 3DS :o

[@bulkov6564]

Hello thank you for your video. My Pro controller had left stick drift & I was able to fix it using canned air & contact cleaner :)

[@Newnewrom]

Thanks to you, I was able to fix my pro controller drift. There was CAT HAIR in my controller

[@criticalinput]

You wouldn't happen to know or be able to read what the 6dof (gryo) chip is Nintendo used for this controller, would ya? You glossed right over the chip names in the video and so far you're the only one who has done a teardown of this controller.

[@master2873]

It's also safe to assume he has no idea what he's talking about too. He's trying to compare the L&R buttons to the Xbox 360, and One's LB & RB buttons. They're not the same at all. The Pro Controller uses contact pads, while the 360, and One controller use Tac switches, and the 360 tac switches are notoriously bad quality (said to be good for 100,000 presses, which is very low quality). Especially sad when it comes to someone who does this for KZbin, and I'm sure has torn down the other controllers. Should have noticed the difference right off the bat by just pressing them.

[@actuallystuff]

When I finished, my X, start, dpad-up, and ZL buttons were broken, does anyone know how to fix this?

[@adhityea]

i dont know how to tell screwdriver type used to open procon in my local store, they just suggest me to buy the good one that can forcely open the screw without damaging it lol

[@AwsBadr]

Wished to see you talking about the rumbles. It is not actually rumbles. I wanted to know could we replace them or even better replace them with joy con ones! As I bought mine used and it doesn’t feel right!

[@douglassmith9445]

There is one screw inside that requires a very skinny phillips and it is so disappointing

[@planet5421]

Thanks for the video, I needed to replace the thumbsticks on my Switch pro controller, and needed to know how complicated it would be.

[@TBelly]

Awesome video. I'm really enjoying my switch

[@Tronicsfix]

Thanks!

[@christiangomez2496]

At least the battery is the same as the o3ds and 2ds alongside the n2dsxl. So new batteries should be plentiful

[@H_A_F_GAMING]

Why you throwing trash around like you aint picking it up later. Lol 😆

[@Thefortniteproyx]

Hi, quick question, when you put the ends on at 7:20, when those are put on and screwed on. Do they ever move about slightly, like just a little? If you try to move them. Although they're screwed on is there slight movement with them. As my right one moves a tiny bit. Many thanks

[@MissSoviro]

Did they move before you opened up your controller? I've never opened mine, but they are quite solid for me. Nothing is moving

[@Ken-zj9sx]

Dang found an extra screw I didn't know where to fit

[@whybother1231]

Did you see any serial number inside? I'm trying to match up a switch pro controller with the switch pro controller box that I have (since I mightve gotten my controller mixed with someone else's)

[@ILordSpawnI]

Thanks, I replaced both joysticks using this vid!

[@REMEDY-REPAIRS]

Keep up the good work!!!

[@Tronicsfix]

Thanks!

[@CarsonsVids]

Baffles me that none of these pro controller tear downs cover the bumper button tear down, including the ribbon cable for the bumpers

[@qw3rtypd4ng3r]

So I got all the way to the screw that’s like 3 inches deep in the plastic. My bit can’t fit Edit: I’m an idiot and forgot I have a set with the screwdrivers you used for it. This screw was the first screw to ever stop my Kobalt basic electronics repair kit

[@williambrown983]

I am just about to go insane because I am short 1 screw, somehow. So, the tiniest ribbon cable that connects the four top buttons, R1/2 & L1/2- that tiny ribbon cable seems to have a Phillips screw right underneath it. I don't remember actually unscrewing it, but there is a screwhole there and I put a screw in it, and as I'm to the end of reassembling, I am now a screw short. Was there a screw behind the micro-ribbon or just an empty hole for some reason?

[@afrabros]

really detailed and awesome video

[@Tronicsfix]

Thanks!

[@eddy5562]

I can't get the initial 2 screws off for the life of me, my #0 Philip screwdriver isn't able to dig into the screws at all. Any tips?

[@Halomancer_]

I just took mine apart to get at some sticky buttons and I had to use a 1.5mm flathead because my 00 and 000 weren't working

[@Soryai_Sarutobi]

@TronicFix, I stripped a screw in my Xenoblade 2 pro controller trying to open it with a J00 attachment from my IFIX it kit. any help on how to get it fixed or repaired? the grip itself does not sit flush on the right side that is stripped like the left side. small little gap. Also what size is the screw head and screw? maybe a washer would help me in this situation? hopefully you see this and can assist me. Thank you.

[@xzeuii]

The white ribbon cable is really annoying to align perfectly as to not interfere with the left thumb stick. any tips?

[@jiggyfly6295]

good video, I've been going through these things like crazy, I'm on my 3rd one. Going to have to lean how to de sodder, and fix em.

[@xGizmox23]

Greetings Tronicsfix and Tronicsfix community First of all big fan of your videos very entertaining content probably on of my favorite D.I.Y electronics video series I watch. I always refer/ consult your video whenever I research repairs I have to do on my consoles and controllers. So I have a question about the gamepad tester website you use @tronicsfix you use in some of your videos (also any community members feel free to chime in). I recently used that gamepad test on a switch pro controller and all my buttons check out, but I am having a bit of trouble understanding the readings on my joysticks. When I push the joystick in any direction the dot touches the circle (for the most part) and there is no drift, but when I run the "Test Circularity" I have an average error of 3.4% on the left stick and 6.3% on the right. My question is what is (or is there) a reasonable amount of error that I should look for before I change my joystick? Or does the percent on the "Test Circularity" not matter as long as the dot touches the circle on the tester my controller is fine? Thank you again and keep up the great content.

[@swifdy6855]

Do you happen to know the test points and traces for each face button? Thinking about making a pro controller with back buttons for my sister

[@TheDreadedZero]

My pro controller doesn’t look ANYTHING like that inside…

[@kimknute6777]

Really appreciated this video. I just bought my grandson a Pro controller about five months ago and he has kicked it off the bed accidentally onto the hard floor and now he says the right thumb button is not working correctly. I don't know how to solder anything but I thought if we could just take it apart and take that button cap off and put it back on maybe it would fix it. I don't know if there's damage under that button on that little square thing that that black button sits on. Okay now I know I have to get those two screwdrivers. finding somebody to fix it if that piece needs to be fixed under the button would probably cost me as much to fix it as to buy a new one sadly. okay at least I have positive hope that we can fix this without having to replace anything. If it works I'll let you know as soon as I can get screwdrivers. 😊

[@azqzel8765]

wdym the stick isn't working correctly, is it moving with interaction (aka stick drift)?

[@xXSpideyEditzzzXx]

I just watch this because I ripped my ribbon cable and I didnt know where it goes and I ordered a new one and watch dis video thx👍

[@mojojo8349]

I took apart my pro controller to clean the sticks because of drift with isopropyl alcohol. It worked pretty good after I cleaned it and put back together but a couple hours later I went to use the controller and now it's completely dead with no light indicators either. No idea what happened. SOMEONE HELP ME!! ANY IDEAS? THANKS!

[@somenewguy756]

Bit late but maybe the alcohol damaged a circut?

[@johny1220]

Ordered this off amazon for $26 :D

[@jumeme378]

Dude what a steal!

[@johny1220]

JuMeme oh no yeah uh.. lol it was one of those too good to be true things actually 😂 they refunded me and eventually I bought it at full price and Sitka have it 😂😣

[@jumeme378]

@@johny1220 ah damn, i bougth one full price too, worth it.

[@Kirusei]

I was hoping you would do the other side

[@elijahkershaw2768]

Why not the top part of the controller I'm looking for help on putting it back

[@dittomario]

how do you remove the ribbon cable

[@Hipsterbyheart]

Great videos keep it up if you could just show us the screws that go into each places that would be great as well

[@boxcarpilot30]

I need to know the size for the screws that hold the grip, I accidentally damaged one of the screws from the grip, but I can't find replacements anywhere

[@platinumvulture1122]

*Doesn't show how to take apart the zr and zl buttons*

[@paintedfoxes9889]

you need to take the top buttons off so I can see if there are boards there or if there isnt. I must knwo so I can extend the buttons to arcade buttons for my pinball cabinet with a 46 inch tv. With pinball fx working in cabinet mode the switch is perfect for pinball

[@paintedfoxes9889]

thank you for the teardown by the way. its got me stoked to do this mod

[@DoubleZeta77]

What a very helpful video, I’m glad I found it! Do you know if there’s any way to fix the LEDs on the motherboard? The far left one on my controller won’t turn on.

[@TheWozny]

Hey, it seems that in mine the socket (from the triggers) came off the board. It is small, that I think it would be impossible for me to solder it. Is it possible to buy the board (alone) somewhere? Thx.

[@shenandoahalice429]

Followed this for a shell I wanted to replace and removed the black ribbon cable, now my zl, zr, l, and r buttons no longer work... Know any fix or did I just break my whole controller?

[@retrofox51_yt7]

Does anyone know how I can find the flat gray battery cable? I've been looking for the part number for hours but I can't find it

[@filipemoreiratimponi3504]

Hi, I accidentally screwed with the flex cable from the front part of my pro controller (the one you show at 3:30 approximately). . Happened because I accidentally disttached the cable and I damaged trying to put back.. There's any change for a repair or possibility to buy a new one to replace? Nintendo assistance is pretty much charging me the price of a new one.

[@tokki_]

You completely ignored the top PCB with the face buttons

[@dannykurniadi6055]

how to fix zl and zr? my procon zl zr has to be press very deep to make it work

[@gurvur]

I need to replace the joystick cap for my pro controller so I need to know if there is one kit which has everything I need to open the controller. Any help since I'm not financially strapped to be buying expensive tools or a new controller.

[@FlyingSugarCat]

How did you reconnect ribbon cable??? I cannot get it back together...

[@teflondonmiggz]

Yea I usually do this with all my controllers and nothing has ever gone wrong, but this time when I did it my dog decided to jump on my desk when I was away and he ate the little transparent rubber piece that goes under the home button and I basically have to buy a new controller cause I couldn't find a replacement

[@josanker7129]

awesome video! you are the best!

[@Tronicsfix]

Thanks! Glad you like it.

[@katukinabarra8737]

Would there be a doable way to implement 4 back-paddles to this controller so we can have ABXY buttons just like with the Xbox Elite controller? (The battery is placed in a prblematic place for this but... any geniouses out there?)

[@mathewsfigueiredo2517]

Do any of you guys know what is the first screwdriver he used, I know he said something about a Japanese J00 but I can’t seem to find a link of the screwdriver on Amazon or anywhere. Pls somebody give me the link if you can. Thanks!

[@Turnaround72]

What are the screws on the handles bc I lost mine and I need new ones

[@flamepool5309]

I cant get the grips off of mine and i stripped the screw a little. What am I doing wrong? The screwdriver fits

[@Tronicsfix]

If it's the right size you need to push down harder as you turn.

[@tiredghosts]

Thanks for this! Surely could have done it alone but this was nice to have as a guide. Cleaned up and works like new!

[@Tronicsfix]

My pleasure!

[@immortalsun]

“Surely could have done it alone.” Yeah, right.

[@michaelshone2465]

Lol you opened that box like a boss dude

[@Tronicsfix]

Ha, ha...thanks!

[@josedavidtejada]

Hey. Hello friend. I Wanna know. Is there any way to avoid the damage of the Procontroller's left joystick? Please. You know. Prevention is better than cure.

[@vixilityx8336]

I can’t take off the screw on the pro controller

[@chloemcholoe3280]

oh wow the battery is removable? :o cool!

[@Tronicsfix]

It's glued in pretty good but you can get it out.

[@KamiCrit]

Anyone know where/how to decode a production number on this? I have two but can't tell which one I got first. #OCD