Console · Nintendo · Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch Overheating Repair
Overheating Repair guide for the Nintendo Nintendo Switch
Before you begin
Tools
- Tri-point Y00 screwdriver
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Plastic spudger
- Precision tweezers
- Compressed air can
- Lint-free microfiber cloth
Parts / materials
- High-performance thermal paste
- 90%+ isopropyl alcohol
- Cotton swabs
Safety
- Power off the console completely before starting disassembly.
- Disconnect the battery press connector before removing thermal components or unseating boards.
- Wear an anti-static wrist strap to avoid electrostatic discharge damage to delicate silicon.
- Never use metal tools to pry battery or power connectors.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off and Eject MicroSD Card
1 minCompletely power off your Nintendo Switch console. Open the rear kickstand and pull out any installed microSD card.
- 2
Remove Back Cover Tri-Point Screws
2 minUse a Y00 tri-point screwdriver to remove the four screws located on the outer corners of the rear shell.
- 3
Remove Frame Screws
3 minUse a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the single top screw, single bottom screw, and two screws located inside each Joy-Con rail slot.
- 4
Detach Plastic Back Cover
1 minGently lift the plastic rear shell straight up off the console chassis and set it aside.
- 5
Remove MicroSD Card Reader
2 minUnscrew the single Phillips #00 screw on the microSD card reader board, then use a spudger to pry its connector straight up.
- 6
Remove Metal Shield Screws
2 minRemove the six Phillips #00 screws securing the silver aluminum heat shield to the internal frame.
- 7
Lift Off Metal Shield
1 minCarefully lift the aluminum plate off the console to expose the motherboard, battery, and heat sink.
- 8
Disconnect Battery Connector
1 minPry the battery cable connector straight up off the motherboard using a plastic spudger to cut power.
- 9
Unscrew Copper Heat Sink
2 minRemove the three Phillips #00 screws holding the copper heat sink assembly over the APU.
- 10
Lift Away Copper Heat Sink
1 minGently lift the copper heat sink off the motherboard to break the original thermal paste seal.
- 11
Clean Dried Thermal Paste
4 minMoisten a lint-free cloth or cotton swab with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and thoroughly clean old compound off the heat sink and APU plate.
- 12
Disconnect Internal Fan Cable
2 minUse tweezers or a spudger to flip up the tiny ZIF locking flap on the fan connector and pull the ribbon cable free.
- 13
Remove Fan Screws and Lift Fan
2 minRemove the three Phillips #00 screws anchoring the cooling fan and lift the fan unit out of the console.
- 14
Clear Dust from Fan and Vents
2 minUse short bursts of compressed air to clear trapped dust out of the fan blades and copper exhaust radiator fins.
- 15
Reinstall Cooling Fan
3 minSet the clean fan back into position, tighten its three mounting screws, and reconnect its ribbon cable into the ZIF socket.
- 16
Apply Fresh Thermal Paste
2 minDispense a small pea-sized dot of high-performance thermal paste onto the center of the APU thermal plate.
- 17
Reattach Heat Sink and Reconnect Battery
3 minPosition the copper heat sink down over the APU, secure its three screws, and press the battery plug firmly into its socket.
After your Nintendo Nintendo Switch overheating repair
Power the Nintendo Switch back on and test the overheating repair function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Nintendo Nintendo Switch job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Prefer a professional repair?
Book Nintendo Nintendo Switch overheating repair at LML Repair in Seattle — same-day options available.
