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New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement

Introduction

This guide outlines the procedure for accessing the device circle pad. To access the circle pad, the entire device must be opened. This might be intimidating at first, but as long as the guide directions are followed, no damage to the device is expected. For more information, refer to our troubleshooting page.

What you need

  1. New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Back Cover Removal Preparation: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Before starting the disassembly, remove

    • The stylus

    • Any game cartridge

    • The microSD card

    Edit

  2. New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Back Cover Removal: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Use a tri‑point Y00 screwdriver to unscrew the four 6 mm‑long screws located at the four corners of the bottom panel.

    Edit

  3. New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Case Separation: step 3, image 1 of 2 New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Case Separation: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Be careful when separating the bottom panel from the front casing to avoid breaking the three cables connected to the motherboard (two on each side and one in the rear).

    • Using a spudger, separate the back panel from the front casing by gently prying around the panel.

    • There are many clips along the hinge of the case, so it is recommended to work your way along one short side and the two long sides before finishing the last short side.

    Edit

  5. New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use tweezers to disconnect the two cables that connect the rear buttons on either side to the motherboard by gently pulling them upwards.

    Edit

  6. New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Battery Removal: step 5, image 1 of 2 New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Battery Removal: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • The battery is lightly adhered to its enclosure.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry the battery out of its plastic enclosure.

    Edit

  7. New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Camera Modules: step 6, image 1 of 3 New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Camera Modules: step 6, image 2 of 3 New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Camera Modules: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • To more easily access this ribbon cable, flip the device so the back casing faces upwards. Gently slide the back casing forward, revealing the ribbon cable connecting to the motherboard.

    • Using a spudger, pry up the ZIF connector holding the ribbon cable.

    • Pull the ribbon towards the bottom casing and out of the connector.

    Edit

  8. New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Circle Pad: step 7, image 1 of 2 New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement, Circle Pad: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the two 7.5mm phillips screws using a PH000 screwdriver.

    • Gently flip over the circle pad. Be aware that the pad is pressed into the back of the circle pad on the front of the case. Gentle prying will be necessary to pry if from the back of the circle pad.

    • Be aware that there is a black plastic disc that sits between the circle pad module and the circle pad stick. During reassembly, stand the unit on end and hang the plastic disc on the circle pad module and hold the stick from the front to press them back together.

    Edit

  9. New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 New Nintendo 2DS XL Circle Pad Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Using a spudger, lift up the ZIF connector (the hinge is located on the side closest to where the cable connects).

    • Remove the circle pad by pulling it away from the connector.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

6 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 5 other contributors

Tim Newman

Member since: 09/25/17

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Cal Poly, Team S18-G6, Forte Fall 2017 Member of Cal Poly, Team S18-G6, Forte Fall 2017

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6 Guide Comments

I can’t seem to find a New 2ds XL circle pad replacement online, does anyone know if a regular 2ds circle pad works? (Or perhaps a 3ds one?)

Dvdcd - Reply Share

Future Myself, the 3ds circle pad kinda works. The major change here is the screw holes, they were moved in on the 2ds xl, so if you do some sanding and finagling it will work, but it’s not elegant at all.

Dvdcd - Reply Share

Excellent guide, although I believe the 2ds XL requires a Y00 and not a Y0

Gabrielle Watson - Reply Share

Can confirm the other comment, the outside screws are Y00.

If you're not confident removing the top ribbon you can just flip over the back carefully and change the circle pad that way.

You also don't have to remove the battery if it's too hard to remove, my one was stuck down like crazy so I just left it and everything is fine.

I just used a generic 2DS/3DS XL replacement circle pad and it works fine.

Daan - Reply Share

Does anyone know why removing the battery is necessary? Seems unrelated to the circlepad replacement.

Blank - Reply Share

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