Repairing a Nintendo DS Lite

This applies only to the Nintendo DS lite!
(See bottom for possible info on repairing an original DS.)

You may email me directly at my user name at gmail dot com--I would recommend this over using PMs.

NB: Read carefully: my text and the comments probably address all the issues you're likely to run into. Also, consider reading my original repair guide on the NDS (affectionately called the DS phat), as well as the comments on both Instructables.
Spend the extra time going over these instructions carefully: why jeopardize several hundreds of dollars in electronics with hasty skimming?

These instructions address how to:
-Replace the touch screen*
-Replace the bottom LCD screen*
-Replace the top LCD screen
-Replace the shell/hinges
Of a DS lite
(* denotes partial instructions: I didn't actually replace these, but I tell you how you'd go about doing so.)

Tools needed:
-Jeweler's screwdriver (Philip's head/cross-head as well as flat-head)
-Tri-wing screwdriver
-Pliers, if you are replacing the top screen and/or the shell
-Soldering iron, if you intend on replacing the top screen
-De-soldering wick or pump (useful if you're replacing the top screen, but not entirely necessary)
-A needle or hobby knife might be useful in prying off some of the rubber screw-covers
-Double sided tape might come in handy with replacing any of the screens.

You will be manipulating very small screws and delicate wires, and a soldering iron so make sure you are aware of what you're getting into. (i.e. If you have trouble plugging in the toaster in the morning, you may wish to reconsider this repair.)

Where to buy these components & tools:
-The top, bottom and touch screens will be cheapest on EBay. They will likely be shipped from Hong Kong, so it'll take two or three days longer, but it'll be a whole lot cheaper in the long run.
-Shell replacement kits are pretty common on EBay as well
**Note! If you want to swap the colors of your shell, be aware that the frame around the touch screen is part of the touch screen and will remain the same color, regardless of shell kit. (See photo.)
-Triwing screwdrivers themselves are not especially expensive, but you will probably have to look around in shops nearby, or scour EBay to find one that's reasonably priced--shipping charges are usually ridiculous. (Some sellers might include one in a shell replacement kit, so keep that in mind.)
Don't get too caught up in trying to purchase all these items from the same EBay retailer: buying all these items from the same retailer would have cost more, even considering the combined shipping discounts. Do some price comparison!

If you need help replacing the top screen on an original DS, refer to this set of instructions. If you are trying to repair the bottom LCD or touch screen on an original DS, those instructions won't help much, but I'm not too sure how much the DS lite instructions coincide with the original DS's.

Step 1: Opening up the bottom shell

Start with the bottom half! Flip the console over, with the battery compartment at the right.

Remove the battery cover and take the battery out. There will now be a tri-wing screw in the bottom-right corner of the console (previously covered by the battery lid), as well as another two at the top-left and bottom-left corners. These are marked by black rings in the photo Unscrew these, and place them aside.

Helpful trick: grab a piece of paper, cardboard, index card, etc. and some tape. As each screw, pad and whatever little pieces come off the DS, tape it to the paper, and label it to help you remember where it came from (so you can put it back later!)
(Note: the photo is pulled from my other DS repair, so those aren't NDSL parts.)

Additionally: you may wish to work on a piece of plywood, plexiglass, or some other stiff, but portable surface. This will allow you to move your mess around without disturbing the components (but if you have a dedicated workspace, this probably isn't a concern.)

There are two rubber feet at the top of the console. Remove these to expose the Philip's head screws. You may find it easier to remove the rubber pads with a needle or hobby knife, but a small flat-head screwdriver works too. There is a third screw hiding in the Slot 1 bay, between the two that were covered by the rubber feet.

Spin the console around so that you are looking at Slot 1 (the hinge side of the console). Stick a flat-head screwdriver into the seam (see photo), and gently pry up.

The two shoulder buttons will become a royal pain if you don't remove them now. Take careful note of how the button, spring and hinge-pin are oriented for both sides before removing them. You may wish to wrap a bit of tape around each set of button-components, since they are prone to coming apart and getting lost.

The exposed PCB is held down by one screw, neatly circled in white on the board itself. Remove this.

Comments

[promotions]

This is quite an interesting instructable. It is quite useful. You can also find some interesting guides to repair your Nintendo DS lite at Nintendo Repair Shop, they have a lot of information that will help you.

www nintendorepairshop com

[cadegennaro]

My son decided to "wash"his DS Lite, because (his logic now) he brought it into the bathroom with him and he said it had germs on it. Anyway, long story short, he submerged it and I took out the battery, let it sit out for a couple of days and then put the battery back in it and charged it. It charged like it usually does and when I flick on the power switch, it flashes for a second and the top screen flickers for a micro second and then I hear a clicking sound and then it powers off. Is there any hope of replacing any parts on this DS? What might be damaged?

[ds lite fixer]

Hi, when you sau the top screen flashed, does the bottom screen not flash at all? if so then the bottom screen needs to be replaced.

[supertank80]

I read in a forum, that usually means the screen that flickered has died, replace it and it should work fine. Dont quote me on this, i have a DS with the same problem, i'm currently waiting for my screen to come in and i'll know for sure then.

[SjayS]

Hey i dont know if u can help but i'll try cause i've really searched the net with no luck. I was going to fix my ds lite game slot, since i had only one pin missing i took it from another slot and just soldered it. So now my ds can read games BUT in the process of fixing it i had to take apart the game slot and now when i put it back together the mechanism that clicks doesnt work. I have to drag the game out instead of the click.

Theres a small part inside resembling a staplers clip but i dont know if im putting it in the right spot inside the gameslot, above the plastoc part that is heald by the spring...

Anyway a long shot, most people just replace the whole game slot but im in kinda of a hurry and cant wait for a new part...

[ttom2]

i spilled milk on ma bros dsl and when he plugs in charger orange light comes on for 1 sec the turns of anyway to fix this

PLEASE HELP

[iloveme661]

Try to clean the circuit board with distilled water, This happened to my sons ds as well.

[khill14]

My son's ds will only work if the lid is halfway open, if we continue to open the lid any further it automatically shuts down. Can somebody pls help me.

[koohiisan]

This gave me the encouragement to try to replace my top screen again. Thanks! I blogged it on my site with photos too.

http://www.lukegerhardt.com/tech/nintendo-ds-lite-top-screen-replacement/

[ivolpe]

i have a ds lite that haas a broken power buttion and won't charge. How do i fix it? If i can't, shouldi buy another one?

[andomonir]

Just thought I'd say that I followed your tutorial and I successfully replaced a cracked NDSLite case.

Many thanks!

[drogers3]

I went and did nearly everything correct when I closed the ds lite the white cable got cut in two places. Anyone know if this is fixable? I convinced my brother I could replace his screen if he bought the parts and now this is the only problem so any help would be great.

[ryzellon]

There's only one white wire that I'm aware of, and that's the microphone wire (step 6, first photo). If that's what you've cut, you may be able to splice it back together, or purchase a replacement (googling "ds lite microphone wire" turned up some hits).

Good luck.

[Night910]

Hey, I replaced my top screen. The first time, I had some columns of pixels out on the left side. So, I tried again, and the messed up pixels stayed, but this time, the entire screen was gray as well. So, I've tried like 3 more times, but still the same result (gray with columns of pixels out). Idk what happened, and I tried checking the ribbon cable, and I' pretty sure it's on right. Wht do you think's the problem?

[rasta_bhoy]

hey, i have the same exact problem with my top screen. i think that the ribbon just messed itself up because sometimes it works fine like say in the morning, but gets messed up later in the evening. in the morning there is some fuzziness akin to that of an antenna tv, but then later in the evening my top screen would be like that one pictured above. is there any way to just replace or resolder the ribbon cable or am i really forced to buy a new lcd all together?

[rasta_bhoy]

oh, i haven't dropped it in any way shape or form. i was just playing it one day and tried a new rom out, and at first i just thought that it was a faulty rom, and that some part of the programming or ripping, or whatever, messed the graphics up but i played mario after a few hours and it was the exact same thing. i use an r4 clone, not that i know that it is not significant but in case whoever might be reading it might go "huh, rom, ripping??" i typed it there anyways

[James H]

I dropped my ds lite. Now the only thing holding the top screan on is a few orange wires, when I turn it on the top screan is fine then slowly goes darker, the mic doesnt work, the right directional button and L only work if you push them down really hard. every thing else works fine. What do I do to fix the top screen?

[James H]

And I have never dropped it in water or anything like that. also 2 bits came off, tthe bit above the lights (yellow and green) and the little thing that is between that and the botom of the top half ( I think it's the hinge, maybe) AND IT STILL SOMEHOW WORKS!!!!!!!!

[James H]

I just bumped my ds and now the top screan is completely white and nothing gets displayed. What is wrong with the top screen?

[wat.]

What is the unhappy cry face at the top screen up there?

[jwystup]

Tape on the buttons is a great idea!! When I replaced the touch screen, I wound up breaking the power switch. I had to buy a new one and replace the old one (not easy - desoldering the old one and soldering on a new one). But now it works! Thank you :)

[chanman789]

Milk got spilled on my sister's DS Lite. I can barely see the screen on it. How do I fix it????

[fishgish509]

part of my sisters touch screen won't work PLEASE REPLY!

[Leo116]

hey take the square around the touch screen it is on the touch screen take it off then clean the part that the that square that laying on

[fishgish509]

Nvm her touchscreen got damaged when she was taking off a screen protecter

[Leo116]

hi plz help me my top screen is blank then it shows the image when u turn it on then it freezes the top screen while the bottom screen plays fine

[Leo116]

plz help me

[Leo116]

also my dsl top screen one day had green weird lines around the screen then one month later it turned blank

[Leo116]

plz help me

[shadowz66]

it only plays gba games(meaning, it shows 'Play GBA game' on the Menu and lets me play the GBA game.It says, say, 'Mariokart DS' on the menu, but when I select the ds game it shows a blank screen)

[Leo116]

ur screen probably died or most likely the ribbon cord got damaged

[fendad]

hi i have replace the bottom screen and touch screen on my sons ds following all the above instructions, when everything is reasembled the ds does not turn on at all now, and if i plug it into the charger the orange lite comes on for a split second then goes out. i have checked rechecked and then checked again all the connections and cables anyone got any ideas at all?

[jasminerod]

My daugther dropped her DS Lite and now it no longer works. She'd only had it for about 3 weeks and we did not purchase the warranty. It is now 6 months later and we are trying to fix it now. When you shake the DS you hear a small little rattling sound as if something was loose or broken. The DS still does not turn on even when plugged in and I don't want to attempt to open and repair it without knowing how to go about it first. Can you help? Thanks.!!

[zack247]

despite what buddilax says, i think it is a small black piece inside the ds labeled L2. these tend to fall off during drops, unfortunately, unless you have pro soldering skills, you'll need a new ds motherboard

[buddilax45]

the inside swicth is broken. you can glue it on with using mecahincal, super glue and ect. make sure you make it firm othervise it will fall off again. hope it helps! p.s if you are scared about doing this ask a friend you know whos pretty good at mechanics.

[gearfreed]

Yeah but what about the factory warranty? You still have your receipt right? Gear :p

[andyellison]

 Hello! I was putting my DS back together at one point and snapped the obnoxiously small power switch from the board. I know i can buy a replacement part and solder it in, although im concerned about taking the contact pads up when i remove the old one...my thought is, and i have read people having success doing it, is simply jury rigging a new switch...i dont even care if it hangs out of the side...i can get creative at that point. What im looking for is a diagram on how to solder a simple switch to turn on and off the DS...any ideas? I need to play scribblenauts...and by need i mean...it has to happen soon, or ill simply cease to be.

[zack247]

okay, i dont know about soldering, but there is a contact on the board called pwrsw or something, solder a wire to this and a wire to ground. solder a momentary switch to these, and you have a new power switch. hope this helps

[justin12]

hello i have a problem with the touch screen, i had sprayed the shoulder button with an automotive electronic cleaning spray as it was slightly unresponsive and it worked. the only problem was that the screen now is blotchy but still lights up and is responsive to touch. is the problem that i merely have to clean the inside of the screen or do i have to replace the touch screen?

thanks

[Targetbly]

Hi

The connector on the main circuit board for the ribbon cable to the touch screen is just near the right shoulder button.
If you got some spray into this connector it may have stopped the circuit between the cable and connector.

I would investigate and try cleaning the ribbon cable and connector with some PCB cleaner spray.

NOTE be very careful with this connector as it is very easy to break the catch or the ribbon.