Console · Nintendo · Switch OLED
Nintendo Switch OLED Fan Replacement
Fan Replacement guide for the Nintendo Switch OLED
Before you begin
Tools
- Y00 Tri-Point Screwdriver
- PH00 Phillips Screwdriver
- Spudger
- Tweezers
- Plastic Opening Picks
- ESD Wrist Strap
Parts / materials
- Thermal Paste
- Isopropyl Alcohol (90%+)
- Lint-Free Wipes
Safety
- Ensure the console is completely powered off before beginning disassembly.
- Wear an ESD wrist strap to prevent static damage to sensitive motherboard components.
- Disconnect the battery immediately after removing the shield plate to eliminate short circuit risk.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Eject MicroSD Card
1 minPress in and release the MicroSD card to eject it from the slot under the kickstand. Set the card aside in a safe place.
- 2
Remove Back Housing Screws
2 minUse a Y00 Tri-point screwdriver to remove the four screws located on the back panel corners. Set these screws aside separately from the others.
- 3
Remove Top and Bottom Edge Screws
2 minUse a PH00 Phillips screwdriver to remove the single top edge screw and the two bottom edge screws near the USB-C port.
- 4
Remove Side Rail Screws
2 minRemove the single center PH00 screw from both the left and right Joy-Con slide rails.
- 5
Remove Kickstand Area Screws
2 minFlip up the kickstand and use a PH00 screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the kickstand hinge cover.
- 6
Lift Off Rear Case
2 minInsert a plastic opening pick into the seam along the edge and gently slide it around the perimeter to pop off the back cover.
- 7
Disconnect MicroSD Reader
2 minUse the flat edge of a spudger to gently pry the MicroSD card reader press-fit connector straight up from the board, then remove the reader.
- 8
Remove Shield Plate Screws
3 minUse a PH00 screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the large metal heat shield plate.
- 9
Lift Off Metal Shield Plate
1 minGently lift the metal shield plate off the console frame. Take care not to damage the thermal pad on the underside.
- 10
Disconnect Battery Cable
1 minInsert a spudger under the battery connector harness wires and lift straight up to disconnect power from the motherboard.
- 11
Remove Heatsink Screws
2 minUse a PH00 screwdriver to remove the three spring-loaded screws holding down the copper heatsink pipe over the APU.
- 12
Lift Off Copper Heatsink
3 minGently lift the copper heatsink up and off the processor and fan frame. Clean off the old thermal compound using isopropyl alcohol.
- 13
Disconnect Fan Cable
2 minUse fine tweezers to flip up the small locking flap on the fan ZIF connector, then pull the thin ribbon cable straight out.
- 14
Remove Fan Screws
2 minUse a PH00 screwdriver to remove the three mounting screws securing the cooling fan to the plastic frame.
- 15
Replace Cooling Fan
3 minLift out the faulty cooling fan and position the new fan into the recess. Secure it with the three screws and reinsert the ribbon cable into the ZIF connector.
After your Nintendo Switch OLED fan replacement
Power the Switch OLED 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 OLED 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 OLED repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
