Circle pad stuck in up direction (already replaced it multiple times) - board issue?

[sitchmagnet]

Please help. I'm hoping someone has some advanced knowledge on how to fix this.

Old 3DS XL

I replaced the stick 3 times hoping I had just received a faulty stick, but it's always the same issue. Left and right is fine. Calibration won't complete cause it shows it's either up all the way (when the stick is centered) or in the middle (when I pull the stick all the way down).

I'm guessing it's an issue with the board and internally not reading the resistance values from the stick correctly but IDK if there is a check I can do or if there is any other component I can change (I can solder and replace if I know what needs it)

Not fluid damage it was working fine then suddenly not. Idk what happened.

Please help, thanks

 

[SonyUSA]

Need pictures of internal. What prompted you to replace it in the first place? Were you replacing a stick for a different reason? Check the connection closely, you may have bent some of the pins on the connector or messed up the gate.

 

[sitchmagnet]

Need pictures of internal. What prompted you to replace it in the first place? Were you replacing a stick for a different reason? Check the connection closely, you may have bent some of the pins on the connector or messed up the gate.

Ok I'll take some pics when I get back home. I originally changed the stick because it had started doing as I described on the original (constant up direction from the c-stick)

 

[SonyUSA]

Ok I'll take some pics when I get back home. I originally changed the stick because it had started doing as I described on the original (constant up direction from the c-stick)

The c-stick? You mean the circle pad still, right?

 

[sitchmagnet]

The c-stick? You mean the circle pad still, right?

Yes sorry I meant the circle pad. This one doesn't have a c stick.

Post automatically merged: Sep 18, 2025

Need pictures of internal. What prompted you to replace it in the first place? Were you replacing a stick for a different reason? Check the connection closely, you may have bent some of the pins on the connector or messed up the gate.

Ok here are some pics..yeah I accidentally broke the clamp yesterday though, but I ordered some replacements so I can fix that part. Regardless, here a look at the rest of the connection.

With it like this I taped it and put a little piece of rubber on top for pressure and turned it on. Same issue. Left and right working, but infinite up direction.

 

[SonyUSA]

Use a probe and see if the backs of the socket pins are still soldered down or are loose. Are you re-using the gasket for the circle pad or did you replace that, too? Try turning it on without pressing the circlepad module up against the shell and see if it's centered.

 

[sitchmagnet]

Use a probe and see if the backs of the socket pins are still soldered down or are loose. Are you re-using the gasket for the circle pad or did you replace that, too? Try turning it on without pressing the circlepad module up against the shell and see if it's centered.

I'll try to check the connector for continuity. I'm not sure where it's supposed to connect. The ribbon goes in face down so it looks like most of the connectors are on top in the socket, but it must be connected underneath somehow. I can't make sense of it looking at the socket itself.

And I did try turning on the unit with the circle pad out of the shell but same issue.

 

[SonyUSA]

Here, just give them a little push with a probe (metal stabby) to see if they became cold joints or not

 

[sitchmagnet]

I was never ever able to get it to work no matter what I did. I swapped main boards though and now it's working! Strange thing is the new board already has luma on it, but I can't use my SD card to boot, it actually does boot up though and works without an SD card installed. Would like to be able to use my SD card how I had it before. I guess I have to start over somehow.

Should I make a new thread? Not sure what step of the process to jump back into it given it's not stock and I don't want to mess it up since I'm so close to having it good again.