Console · Nintendo · Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch Lite Fan Replacement
Fan Replacement guide for the Nintendo Switch Lite
Before you begin
Tools
- Y00 tri-point screwdriver
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Plastic spudger
- Plastic opening pick
- Tweezers
Parts / materials
- High-purity isopropyl alcohol (90%+)
- Thermal paste
- Lint-free micro-fiber wipes
Safety
- Power off the console completely and unplug all cables before beginning work.
- Disconnect the battery power cable immediately after removing the metal shield plate to prevent short circuits.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Remove outer Y00 screws
2 minUse a Y00 tri-point screwdriver to remove the four rear case screws located at the corners of the back panel.
- 2
Remove top and bottom screws
2 minUse a Phillips #00 driver to remove the two screws on the bottom edge and one screw on the top edge of the console.
- 3
Pry open the back case
3 minInsert a plastic opening pick into the seam along the edge and slide it around the perimeter to release the plastic retaining clips.
- 4
Remove metal shield screws
2 minUnscrew the four Phillips #00 screws holding the aluminum heat shield to the internal chassis.
- 5
Lift off the metal shield
1 minGently lift the metal shield plate straight up off the device and set it aside.
- 6
Disconnect the battery cable
2 minUse a plastic spudger to pry the battery connector straight up out of its motherboard socket.
- 7
Unscrew the MicroSD card reader
1 minRemove the single Phillips #00 screw securing the MicroSD card reader board.
- 8
Remove the MicroSD card reader
2 minDisconnect the MicroSD reader press-fit connector from the motherboard using a spudger and lift the board out.
- 9
Remove heat pipe screws
2 minRemove the three Phillips #00 screws securing the copper heat pipe over the processor.
- 10
Remove the heat pipe
1 minCarefully lift the copper heat pipe off the processor and cooling fan housing.
- 11
Unlock fan ZIF connector
1 minUse a spudger or tweezers to flip up the small black locking flap on the fan ribbon cable ZIF socket.
- 12
Disconnect fan ribbon cable
1 minGently slide the fan ribbon cable straight out of the unlocked ZIF socket.
- 13
Remove cooling fan screws
2 minRemove the three Phillips #00 screws attaching the fan housing to the internal frame.
- 14
Remove the old cooling fan
1 minLift the original fan out of its recess in the chassis.
- 15
Set new fan into position
1 minPlace the replacement cooling fan into the chassis housing, aligning all screw holes.
- 16
Secure fan with screws
2 minReinstall the three Phillips #00 screws to attach the replacement fan firmly to the chassis.
- 17
Reconnect fan ribbon cable
2 minSlide the fan ribbon cable back into its ZIF connector and push the locking flap down to secure it.
- 18
Clean old thermal paste
3 minClean remaining thermal paste off the CPU die and heat pipe contact surface using high-concentration isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free wipe.
- 19
Apply thermal paste and reattach heat pipe
3 minApply a pea-sized dot of thermal paste onto the CPU, lower the heat pipe into place, and secure it with its three Phillips #00 screws.
After your Nintendo Switch Lite fan replacement
Power the Switch Lite back on and test the fan replacement 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 Switch Lite job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Nintendo Switch Lite repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
