Hardware Switch SD card replacement

PKM190 · 2026-06-17T01:34:20+0100

My SD card keeps disconnecting, been doing this for weeks. Tried getting a new SD card and spraying canned air in it. Either there is something grimy that somehow got pushed inside of the contacts or the SD card reader is failing. Seems like it would be hard to clean out, and it seems like it is fragile so I may as well buy an SD card reader replacement if I am going to disassemble the console. Is any generic brand SD card reader compatible, or is there a specific model I need to get?

Ikpek on Amazon has a kit for $10, but not sure how reputable they are. iFixit has a $20 kit; I trust that brand but wondering if I can just save the $10 and go for the cheaper option.

I'm also wondering if this is something that may have happened to my Switch, it looks like this user's contact bins broke. If that happened, how hard would it be to repair? Swapping the SD card reader itself looks simple, but I am worried about opening it up and finding out the pins on the mother (or daughter?) board itself is damaged.

thesjaakspoiler · 2026-06-17T02:11:11+0100

Those clone products always worked for me.
The SD card reader doesn't have much on it that can break but install it gently.

The picture you showed with the missing pins is not normal. Where did those pins go?
You will only manage to get that kind of damage when applying too much force when detaching the connector.

One thing to note : in some cases that internal connector can also be the problem.
Due time, some of the pins might detach themselves from the main board.
So if your SD card reader still fails after replacing it, then the connector on the main board might be the issue.
Repairing that main board connector is a job for a good repair shop unless you are into micro soldering with hot air.

PKM190 · 2026-06-17T02:42:27+0100

thesjaakspoiler said:
Those clone products always worked for me.

Thanks. I assume I can just get the $10 kit then?

Before I start buying parts, what is something safe that I can stick inside the reader to clean the contacts? I have some alcohol dipped clothes from Noctua that I got with a CPU/thermal paste guard (or at least I think they are alcohol, they are for cleaning off the paste/grease of a CPU). I have 91% alcohol, but not sure what can fit inside to properly swab/clean the contacts.

thesjaakspoiler said:
The picture you showed with the missing pins is not normal. Where did those pins go?

Not too sure, that is another user's switch. I watched an SD card replacement tutorial and seemingly the Switch they opened up was also missing contacts there. I fear that may be an issue for me. Not sure what size screws the Switch uses, my smallest screw drivers are too thick for them (but work for those tiny M.2 SSD screws) so I may need to get one of those kits to open it up.

thesjaakspoiler said:
One thing to note : in some cases that internal connector can also be the problem.
Due time, some of the pins might detach themselves from the main board.
So if your SD card reader still fails after replacing it, then the connector on the main board might be the issue.
Repairing that main board connector is a job for a good repair shop unless you are into micro soldering with hot air.

Hopefully that is not the case, I'm not good with soldering so if that is the case I'd probably need to get someone to do it. Unpatched console so won't send it to Nintendo.

I also seem to get random "software had an error and closed" issues, typically happens when the SD card disconnects. Not sure if related, using cartridge based games.

Hardware Switch SD card replacement

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