Hardware How to fix O3DS L/R Buttons?

Caofre · Jan 22, 2019

After i bought my 3ds,i noticed the L button was not working 100% of the time,then after a while it just stopped working.
After playing MK7 for a while,the R button started to feel the same way and then just stopped working too.
How can i fix this issue?Do i need to replace the buttons?

Also,i already tried blowing into it,it worked for a while,it doesn't anymore.

Kubas_inko · Jan 22, 2019

Replace might be the most viable solution.

KleinesSinchen · Jan 22, 2019

Do not blow into electronics. The moisture inside your breath will do further damage and make the problem worse - like in this case.

Look for your 3DS model on ifixit
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Nintendo_Handheld_Console

Replacing the shoulder buttons on any 3DS model is relatively easy (on the 2DS models it requires micro soldering). Just keep in mind to do the repair slowly and carefully and nothing should go wrong. You could remove the buttons from the 3DS and try to clean them with isopropyl alcohol... but it usually does not work (or not for long) and the buttons are cheap, so getting new ones is the best option.

Archerite · Jan 22, 2019

I had an O3DS with non working L/R buttons too and replacing them is the best option. Just beware of the fragile cables as they break easily and make a lot of small tight corners. I have broken 2 new cables to learn that the hard way. Buy a few extra sets if you can.

Caofre · Jan 22, 2019

I dont wanna risk breaking anything inside so i dont think im gonna buy new buttons and try to fix myself

KleinesSinchen · Jan 22, 2019

Caofre said:
I dont wanna risk breaking anything inside so i dont think im gonna buy new buttons and try to fix myself

Your choice. But don't blow into the 3DS. It won't help and it will cause further damage over time (much harder to repair!).

→ Find someone who will do it for you. Family, friends.
→ Maybe a shop for phone repair will do it.

Unless you are really careless and destroy the connectors on the mainboard (at least look at the pictures on ifixit) you can't really damage the console inside when you (or someone else) try this repair. Like @Archerite said you could damage the ribbon cables of the new buttons → Try again, they are cheap.

Other than that... not much to lose here. The buttons are not working now. If you fail the buttons still don't work. No change to the worse.

Small addition: Use the correct screwdriver. Trying to unscrew them with the wrong size might strip the screws making opening harder or even impossible.

Caofre · Jan 22, 2019

KleinesSinchen said:
Your choice. But don't blow into the 3DS. It won't help and it will cause further damage over time (much harder to repair!).

→ Find someone who will do it for you. Family, friends.
→ Maybe a shop for phone repair will do it.

Unless you are really careless and destroy the connectors on the mainboard (at least look at the pictures on ifixit) you can't really damage the console inside when you (or someone else) try this repair. Like @Archerite said you could damage the ribbon cables of the new buttons → Try again, they are cheap.

Other than that... not much to lose here. The buttons are not working now. If you fail the buttons still don't work. No change to the worse.

Small addition: Use the correct screwdriver. Trying to unscrew them with the wrong size might strip the screws making opening harder or even impossible.

Ok thanks,i think there is a shop in my city that fixes the buttons,but im afraid its too expensive,as money is currently a problem to me.Thanks for the help guys!

HelpTheWretched · Jan 22, 2019

There's a chance that it might be the cables connecting the buttons to the circuit board that are broken, not the buttons themselves.

I had to fix my Old 3DS once, and ordered these: https://www.amazon.com/Shoulder-Button-Nintendo-3DS-Repair-Switch/dp/B00E711N4A/
Note that the cables for Old 3DS XL are slightly different.

I also had to make an unrelated repair on the Circle Pad at the same time, and followed this guide: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+3DS+XL+Circle+Pad+Replacement/25074
It basically opens up the 3DS to the same point where you can replace the shoulder button cables. It took some steady hands to get the new cables in place, but all-in-all the repair was not that difficult.

ThoD · Jan 22, 2019

I'm having a similar problem, so...

KleinesSinchen said:
Do not blow into electronics. The moisture inside your breath will do further damage and make the problem worse - like in this case.

Look for your 3DS model on ifixit
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Nintendo_Handheld_Console

Replacing the shoulder buttons on any 3DS model is relatively easy (on the 2DS models it requires micro soldering). Just keep in mind to do the repair slowly and carefully and nothing should go wrong. You could remove the buttons from the 3DS and try to clean them with isopropyl alcohol... but it usually does not work (or not for long) and the buttons are cheap, so getting new ones is the best option.

For me, it's O2DS, it's not that it has dust, but from my experience with trigger buttons, it feels as if the spring under my R trigger either has bent in a bad way or shifted inside. Should I bother opening it up or it's possible to re-seat it? Just flicking the button a bit makes it work temporarily and spring can be heard with some slight sounds from it instead of the "click"-like sound that normally comes from the triggers.

Caofre · Jan 23, 2019

Just one last question,there is absolutely no way to fix this issue without opening the console itself and replacing/clearing inside?

KleinesSinchen · Jan 23, 2019

ThoD said:
I'm having a similar problem, so...

For me, it's O2DS, it's not that it has dust, but from my experience with trigger buttons, it feels as if the spring under my R trigger either has bent in a bad way or shifted inside. Should I bother opening it up or it's possible to re-seat it? Just flicking the button a bit makes it work temporarily and spring can be heard with some slight sounds from it instead of the "click"-like sound that normally comes from the triggers.

While I've not opened my O2DS yet (if it's not broken, don't fix it), it does not look too hard on ifixit. I would say it's slightly more dangerous than with O3DS because of the rear camera assembly (look at the pictures, Step 6). Be careful not to damage the ribbon cable. If the 2DS can't find the cameras it will not turn on or act like mad. Only Nintendo knows why the 2/3DS goes nuts when a not crucial part is missing/defect.

If you are not afraid of screwdrivers, you should just open it and look if the spring is misplaced or broken. The only offer for replacement springs I could find with a short search is on ebay and comes from the US with extreme shipping costs to Europe. But it should be possible to find a fitting spring somewhere else.

Caofre said:
Just one last question,there is absolutely no way to fix this issue without opening the console itself and replacing/clearing inside?

*sigh* Have you read the thread I linked to in my first reply (second page)? @TurdPooCharger had an idea for that, but

He does not recommend it himself and it is quite dangerous for the console, especially if you don't follow the tutorial exactly.
Cleaning the buttons does not always help (or not for long) and his method is not completely tested because his ~~victim~~ test console had no problem with the shoulder button.

ThoD · Jan 23, 2019

KleinesSinchen said:
While I've not opened my O2DS yet (if it's not broken, don't fix it), it does not look too hard on ifixit. I would say it's slightly more dangerous than with O3DS because of the rear camera assembly (look at the pictures, Step 6). Be careful not to damage the ribbon cable. If the 2DS can't find the cameras it will not turn on or act like mad. Only Nintendo knows why the 2/3DS goes nuts when a not crucial part is missing/defect.

If you are not afraid if screwdrivers, you should just open it and look if the spring is misplaced or broken. The only offer for replacement springs I could find with a short search is on ebay and comes from the US with extreme shipping costs to Europe. But it should be possible to find a fitting spring somewhere else.

*sigh* Have you read the thread I linked to in my first reply (second page)? @TurdPooCharger had an idea for that, but

He does not recommend it himself and it is quite dangerous for the console, especially if you don't follow the tutorial exactly.

Cleaning the buttons does not always help (or not for long) and his method is not completely tested because his ~~victim~~ test console had no problem with the shoulder button.

Very likely cause of it going mad is that along with the camera, other cables may be there that are actually necessary or most likely that there's a power requirement as a safety check as Nintendo systems are rather weird with their power usage (eg: on Switch if the balance is off even a tiny bit you can fry your screen). Anyway, I'll look into it, just taking the trigger out and re-seating it manually should fix the issue, worst case scenario I need a new spring (and I have TONS since I do disassemblies of stuff a lot).

Caofre · Jan 23, 2019

[B said:
*sigh*[/B] Have you read the thread I linked to in my first reply (second page)? @TurdPooCharger had an idea for that, but

He does not recommend it himself and it is quite dangerous for the console, especially if you don't follow the tutorial exactly.

Cleaning the buttons does not always help (or not for long) and his method is not completely tested because his ~~victim~~ test console had no problem with the shoulder button.

Sorry for being dumb,thanks for the help tho,i think im just gonna send it to repair

Hardware How to fix O3DS L/R Buttons?

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