Follow this guide to replace a cracked or broken screen on a Nintendo Switch 2 game console.
The Switch 2 uses JIS screws. If you use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in JIS screws, you'll risk stripping them. iFixit's Phillips bits are designed to be compatible with JIS screws.
You’ll need new [product|IF145-863|thermal putty|new_window=true] and [product|IF145-528-3|regular thermal paste|new_window=true] to complete this repair.
Power off the console
⚠️ Caution: For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling the console. This reduces the risk of a fire if the battery is damaged during the repair. If the battery is swollen, [[What to do with a swollen battery|take appropriate precautions|new_window=true]].
Remove any game cards and disconnect any cables, controllers, or other accessories from the console.
Power off the console by holding down the power button, selecting Power Options, then pressing Power Off.
Remove the bottom screws
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the two 3.1 mm‑long screws on either side of the bottom USB-C port.
💡 Note: You can try a non-iFixit Phillips driver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping the screw. Push down firmly on the driver and twist slowly.
Remove the top screw
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the 3.1 mm‑long screw on the top edge of the console (next to the ventilation cutouts).
Heat the right side sticker
💡 Note: The Switch 2 has stickers on either side that need to removed to access the screws securing the back cover. It's easy to damage the stickers during removal, but you can mitigate this by regularly reheating the stickers and working carefully.
Use a [guide|157348|hair dryer|new_window=true] or [guide|151116|heat gun|new_window=true] to heat the sticker on the right side of the console, labeled with a "+" symbol, until it's hot to the touch.
💡 Note: You can use the kickstand to prop the console up vertically for easier access.
⚠️ Caution: If you're using a heat gun, set it to low to avoid melting the plastic edge of the console.
Pry up the right side sticker
⚠️ Caution: The pointed end of the tweezers can damage the sticker from the underside, leaving a noticeable mark. If it's difficult to lift, apply more heat instead of using more force.
Slide one arm of angled tweezers underneath the sticker from its cutout around the right Joy‑Con 2 connector.
Gently pry up on the sticker until it starts to lift from the console.
Leave the tweezers in place to keep the sticker lifted.
Insert the tip of a [product|IF145-259|Jimmy|new_window=true] into the gap formed between the long edge of the console and the sticker.
Gently pry up the sticker, working your way up the long edge until the top of the sticker is separated from the console.
Remove the tweezers once the sticker is lifted.
💡 Note: You can leave the Jimmy in place to hold the top of the sticker off the frame—if it falls back into its recess, repeat this procedure to lift it back up.
Heat the right side sticker
Reheat the bottom of the right side until it's hot to the touch.
Remove the right side sticker
Carefully lift the sticker over the Joy‑Con 2 connector, then peel it up fully to remove it.
Remove the left side sticker
Repeat this procedure to remove the sticker along the left side of the console, labeled with a "-" symbol.
Remove the side screws
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the two 3.6 mm‑long gold screws on each side of the console (four in total).
Open the kickstand
Use your fingers to flip up the kickstand on the back of the console.
⚠️ Caution: If there's a microSD Express card installed, remove it now before you continue to the next step.
Remove the back-side screws
Use a Y00 driver to remove the two 4.4 mm‑long screws in the kickstand cutout.
Insert an opening pick
Insert an opening pick into the gap between the back cover and speaker cutout on the bottom edge of the console.
Slide the opening pick towards the USB-C port until it's underneath the screw hole next to the port.
Insert a second opening pick
Insert a second opening pick underneath the screw hole on the opposite side of the USB-C port, and slide it to the corner of the console.
Slide the first opening pick back to where it was first inserted.
Remove the back cover
⚠️ Caution: Be careful not to drop your console. Once the back cover pops up, the opening picks will fall out of place.
Hold the console with two hands. Rest your thumbs on the opening picks.
Push up on the opening picks to lift the back cover until it pops up above the USB-C port.
Lift the back cover up from the bottom edge and remove it.
Remove the lower antenna screws
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the three 4.4 mm‑long silver screws securing the lower antenna.
Remove the lower antenna
Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the lower antenna.
Remove the upper antenna screws
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the two screws securing the upper antenna:
One 4.4 mm‑long silver screw
One 4.6 mm‑long green screw
Remove the upper antenna
Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the upper antenna.
Disconnect the lower antenna cable
Insert an arm of angled tweezers under the metal neck of the white interconnect cable [guide|25629|coaxial connector|stepid=64972|new_window=true] (located beneath the lower antenna) and lift straight up to disconnect it.
Disconnect the remaining antenna cables
Repeat this procedure to disconnect the three central coaxial connectors from the board.
Disconnect the MicroSD connector
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the MicroSD card reader [guide|25629|press connector|stepid=70308|new_window=true], located next to the bottom USB‑C port.
Remove the shield plate screws
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the seven screws securing the shield plate:
Two 6.2 mm‑long silver screws
Five 4.4 mm‑long silver screws
Lift the shield plate
Insert the flat end of a spudger between the shield plate and the processor's heat sink, next to the square (⛶) [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/Q6B2osPiYUpwrWUn.full|marking|new_window=true] on the shield plate.
Twist the spudger to lift the shield plate and separate the thermal putty bonded to it. Keep lifting the shield plate until you don't feel resistance.
Lift the left edge of the shield plate to ensure it's fully separated from the thermal putty.
Gently set the shield plate back down.
Unroute the gray antenna cable
Insert one arm of angled tweezers underneath the gray antenna cable at the [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/pG2DYhcIOJPbxVfG.full|bottom-right corner|new_window=true] of the console.
Lift the cable out of the black clip securing it to the frame.
Unroute the gray antenna cable from its [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/1MEIFJa6HKYMiLZG.full|channel|new_window=true] along the right edge of the console.
Lift and slide the shield plate away from the right edge of the console until the gray antenna cable is completely free.
Remove the shield plate
Pick up and remove the shield plate.
Disconnect the battery
Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the [guide|25629|flat-topped|stepid=64971|new_window=true] battery connector, located next to the battery, and pry up to disconnect it.
Clean the heat pipe
💡 Note: If you don't have replacement thermal putty, use the flat end of a spudger to [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/lIX1GYPsMLM2UePS.full|distribute the old putty|new_window=true] evenly across the heat pipe, as thick as possible to ensure proper contact. Repeat this process on the [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/6H2ufOWHMkTCFaL1.full|shield plate|new_window=true], then skip this step.
Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape off the thermal putty on top of the copper heat pipe.
Apply high-concentration (90% or higher) isopropyl alcohol or [product|IF179-023|thermal material remover|new_window=true] to a cotton swab or lint-free cloth and wipe away any remaining thermal putty on both the heat pipe and shield plate.
💡 Note: Don't use a paper towel or rag, as they may scratch the shield plate.
Remove the heat sink screws
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the four 3.4 mm‑long silver screws securing the heat sink.
Free the heat sink
Insert the flat end of a spudger between the heat sink and the processor's heat spreader.
Twist the spudger to lift the heat sink and separate the thermal paste bonded to it.
Remove the heat sink
⚠️ Caution: Lift the heat sink slowly to avoid bending its thin copper heat pipe.
Slowly lift the heat sink from the front, until the aluminum fin stack at the back is detached from the adhesive beneath it.
Remove the heat sink.
Clean the thermal paste
Use high-concentration (90% or higher) isopropyl alcohol or [product|IF179-023|thermal material remover|new_window=true] to soak the thermal paste on the processor's heat spreader for one minute.
Use a lint-free cloth or cotton swabs to wipe away the thermal paste.
Repeat this process until the processor's heat spreader is clean.
💡 Note: If you're replacing your heat sink, skip this step.
Repeat this process to clean the thermal paste off the bottom of the heat sink.
Disconnect the fan
Use the point of a spudger to flip up the locking flap on the fan cable [guide|25629|ZIF connector|stepid=64969|new_window=true], located next to the fan on the console's board.
Use tweezers or your fingers to gently pull the cable out of its socket.
💡 Note: If you're using tweezers, pull the cable out by its "wings" instead of gripping the cable itself.
Remove the fan screws
Use a JIS 00 driver to remove the three 5.2 mm‑long silver screws securing the fan.
Remove the fan
Slide the fan out of its recess to free its cable, then pick it up to remove it.
Disconnect the screen
Use your finger or the flat end of a spudger to flip up the locking flap on the screen cable [guide|25629|ZIF connector|stepid=64969|new_window=true].
Use tweezers or your fingers to gently pull the cable out of its connector.
Heat the bottom edge
Flip the console over so the screen is facing up.
Apply a [guide|25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the bottom edge of the screen for two minutes.
💡 Note: Alternatively, you can use a [guide|157348|hair dryer|new_window=true] or [guide|151116|heat gun|new_window=true] to heat the bottom edge of the screen until it's hot to the touch.
⚠️ Caution: Be careful not to heat the console hotter than this—the frame is susceptible to heat damage.
Insert an opening pick
Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the screen, above the right speaker and ventilation cutouts.
Pull up on the handle with a strong, steady force to create a gap between the screen and the frame.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.
💡 Note: If you can't create a gap large enough to fit an opening pick, reheat the bottom edge of the screen and try again.
Separate the bottom adhesive
Slide your pick across the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.
Leave your pick inserted in the bottom left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Heat the left edge
Apply a [guide|25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the left edge of the screen for two minutes.
💡 Note: When using a [guide|157348|hair dryer|new_window=true] or [guide|151116|heat gun|new_window=true], heat the screen until it's hot to the touch.
Separate the left adhesive
Insert a second opening pick next to the first one and slide it up the left edge of the screen.
Separate the remaining adhesives
Repeat the heating and sliding procedure along the remaining screen edges.
Remove the screen
Lift the screen off the frame to remove it.
💡 Note: If any adhesive strips are still stuck to the frame, [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/QJtJgWLO6H4YW2xB.full|peel it up|new_window=true] with slow, steady force to release it.
Disassembly complete
Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your console.
Clean the frame
Use the point of a spudger to scrape off any adhesive left on the frame.
Apply a bit of isopropyl alcohol to a cotton swab or lint-free cloth and clean the frame until it's free of adhesive residue.
💡 Note: Alternatively, use our [product|IF145-308|adhesive cleanup kit.|new_window=true]
Apply new adhesive
💡 Note: If your replacement screen comes with adhesive pre-applied, skip this step.
Use your fingers to install strips of [product|IF317-072-6|thin, double-sided tape|new_window=true] to the raised lip along the edges of the frame. Use 1 mm strips for the top and bottom edges and 2 mm strips for the sides.
Prepare the adhesive
Use angled tweezers to peel off all liners from the adhesive.
Install the screen cable
💡 Note: Don't adhere the screen to the frame yet.
Align the screen's cable with its cutout in the frame.
Route the cable through its cutout, ensuring it reaches [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/esVX6kwstTtNMqhl.full|its connector|new_window=true] on the board.
Adhere the screen
Align the right edge of the screen with its recess in the frame.
Press the right edge of the screen into place, then work your way to the left edge until the entire screen is adhered to the frame.
💡 Note: If the screen starts to feel misaligned as you work your way down, lift it back up and try again. Try to avoid stretching or creasing the adhesive.
Connect the screen cable
Use tweezers or your fingers to slide the screen cable into its [guide|25629|ZIF connector|stepid=64969|new_window=true] until it's fully seated.
💡 Note: If you're using tweezers, you can use the flat end of a spudger to help guide the cable into its connector.
Flip the hinged locking flap down to secure the cable.
Install the fan
Slide the fan into its recess. Ensure its cable slides underneath the edge of the board.
Align the fan with its screw posts on the frame.
Use a JIS 00 driver to install the three 5.2 mm‑long silver screws securing the fan.
Connect the fan
Use tweezers or your fingers to slide the fan cable into its [guide|25629|ZIF connector|stepid=64969|new_window=true] until it's fully seated.
💡 Note: If you're using tweezers, you can use a spudger to help guide the cable into its connector.
Flip the hinged locking flap down to secure the cable.
Install thermal paste
Apply a bead of new [product|IF145-528-3|thermal paste|new_window=true] to the center of the processor's copper heat spreader, roughly the size of a pea.
Install the heat sink
Set the heat sink's aluminum fins into its recess behind the fan, then lower the heat sink onto the board.
Use a JIS 00 driver to partially install the four 3.4 mm‑long silver screws securing the heat sink.
Tighten the screws in an X pattern. For example: bottom left, top right, bottom right, then top left.
Connect the battery
Align the battery connector over its socket on the board.
Use your finger or the flat end of a spudger to press the battery connector onto its socket until it's fully seated.
Apply thermal putty
Apply a line of new [product|IF145-863|thermal putty|new_window=true] down the center of the heat pipe, roughly the thickness of a pea.
Route the gray antenna cable
Hold the top‑right corner of the shield plate above the top‑right corner of the console.
Route the gray antenna cable underneath the black hook near the top corner of the frame.
Lower the shield plate
Lower the shield plate into place and align it with its screw holes.
Finish routing the gray antenna cable
Route the gray antenna cable down its channel on the right edge of the frame.
Press the gray antenna cable into its groove at the bottom of its channel, and continue routing until it's secured to the clip at the bottom of the frame.
Install the shield plate screws
Use a JIS 00 driver to install the seven screws securing the shield plate:
Two 6.2 mm‑long silver screws
Five 4.4 mm‑long silver screws
Connect the MicroSD connector
Use your finger or the flat end of a spudger to press the MicroSD card reader [guide|25629|press connector|stepid=70308|new_window=true] onto its socket on the board.
💡 Note: Don't try to force the connector into place. If you're having trouble, reposition it and try again.
Connect the antenna cables
Use tweezers to hold the lower antenna [guide|25629|coaxial connector|stepid=64972|new_window=true] in place over its socket and gently press down with your finger or a spudger—the connector should "snap" into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the head instead of using more force.
Repeat this process to connect the three central coaxial connectors to their [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/rMly2YObZC3ThLhE.full|respective sockets|new_window=true].
💡 Note: The black cable connects to the socket closest to the fan, the white to the middle, and the gray the furthest away.
Install the upper antenna
Use tweezers or your fingers to align the upper antenna with its screw holes and black alignment pegs and set it into place.
Use a JIS 00 driver to install the two screws securing the upper antenna:
One 4.4 mm‑long silver screw
One 4.6 mm‑long green screw
Install the lower antenna
Use tweezers or your fingers to align the lower antenna with its screw holes and gray alignment pegs and set it into place.
Use a JIS 00 driver to install the three 4.4 mm‑long screws securing the lower antenna.
Prepare the back cover
Fully pull out the game card tray.
Double-check the power and volume buttons to ensure they're seated correctly. If the rubber membrane beneath the buttons is out of place, ensure it's aligned with [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/cLX44LuQ2kMJBY3U.full|its pegs|new_window=true].
Check the microphone to ensure it's fully seated in its slot in the frame.
Install the back cover
Align the top of the back cover with the top of the console.
Set the top edge of the back cover into place, checking the buttons and ports to ensure they're aligned properly. If they aren't, lift the back cover and try again.
Press along the top edge to fasten the clips securing the back cover to the console.
Squeeze the rest of the back cover and console together to fasten the clips.
Install the back-side screws
Use a JIS 00 driver to install the three 3.1 mm‑long screws securing the back cover: one on the top edge of the console, and two on either side of the bottom USB-C port.
Use a Y00 driver to install the two 4.4 mm‑long screws in the kickstand cutout.
Install the side screws
Install the two 3.6 mm‑long gold screws on each side of the console (four in total).
Test the console
Power on the console and test functionality to ensure it's working as expected.
Install the stickers
Align the right side sticker with its recess. Ensure the cutout in the sticker is aligned with the Joy-Con connector.
Set the sticker into its recess, first on one side, then the other.
Use your finger or the flat end of a spudger to press the sticker into place.
💡 Note: If the sticker isn't sticking well, [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/bZVWHoC1W1mgYUh6.full|apply heat|new_window=true] after you press it into place.
Repeat this procedure to install the left side sticker.
You finished fixing your Switch 2!
Take your e-waste to an [[E-Waste|R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler|new_window=true]].
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some [[Troubleshooting Problems After a Repair|basic troubleshooting]], or ask our [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/Nintendo_Switch_2|Nintendo Switch 2 Answers Community] for help.