Console · Nintendo · Wii U Gamepad
Nintendo Wii U Gamepad Hard Drive Replacement
Hard Drive Replacement guide for the Nintendo Wii U Gamepad
Before you begin
Tools
- Phillips #0 screwdriver
- Tri-wing Y0 screwdriver
- Plastic opening tool
- Spudger
- Tweezers
- Anti-static wrist strap
Parts / materials
- Replacement Wii U Gamepad storage module
- Replacement screw cover stickers
Safety
- Disconnect the battery before handling internal components to prevent electrical shorts.
- Wear an anti-static wrist strap to avoid electrostatic discharge damage to sensitive electronics.
- Do not puncture or crush the lithium-ion battery pack.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Unscrew the battery door
2 minUse a Phillips #0 screwdriver to loosen the two captive screws on the battery compartment door.
- 2
Remove the battery door
1 minLift the battery door away from the back of the Gamepad to access the battery cavity.
- 3
Disconnect the battery
2 minUnplug the battery connector from the socket and lift the battery out of the compartment.
- 4
Pry off the screw covers
3 minUse tweezers or a spudger to peel off the rubber screw covers located on the rear housing.
- 5
Remove the housing screws
5 minUse a Tri-wing Y0 screwdriver to remove the ten screws securing the rear housing.
- 6
Separate the rear housing
4 minInsert a plastic opening tool into the seam and gently pry the rear housing off the front assembly.
- 7
Disconnect the shoulder cables
3 minUse tweezers to carefully disconnect the L and R button ribbon cables from the mainboard.
- 8
Unscrew the motherboard shield
4 minRemove the Phillips screws holding the EMI metal shield over the main logic board.
- 9
Remove the metal shield
2 minLift the metal EMI shield straight up off the board and place it aside.
- 10
Disconnect the storage module cable
3 minFlip up the ZIF retaining flap and slide out the storage module ribbon cable.
- 11
Unscrew the storage module
2 minRemove the two Phillips screws anchoring the flash storage module to the chassis.
- 12
Lift out the storage module
2 minGently lift the original storage board out of the Gamepad housing.
- 13
Insert the new storage module
2 minAlign the replacement storage board with the mounting posts and lay it flat.
- 14
Secure the new storage module
2 minReinstall the two Phillips screws to lock the replacement module into place.
- 15
Reconnect the module cable
3 minSlide the ribbon cable into the ZIF connector and press down the retaining latch to lock it.
- 16
Reinstall the motherboard shield
4 minPlace the EMI shield back over the board and tighten its Phillips screws.
- 17
Attach the shoulder cables
3 minPlug the L and R shoulder button cables back into their respective motherboard connectors.
- 18
Reassemble the rear housing
5 minSnap the rear housing into place, reinstall the ten Tri-wing screws, and replace the battery.
After your Nintendo Wii U Gamepad hard drive replacement
Power the Wii U Gamepad back on and test the hard drive 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 Wii U Gamepad 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 Wii U Gamepad repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
