Hardware Cracked Gamepad Screen; Repair/Replacement Suggestions?

[Mattshark]

My gamepad for the WiiU Deluxe (The 32GB black one) got a cracked screen when a sibling dropped it onto hard ground...
Right now, the entire gamepad works fine as a controller (even the touchscreen registers touch), but the screen is so cracked that the image is just a field of white with colored lines all over it.
After doing some research, I still haven't found the best way to repair it. I was able to find "digitizers" on ebay, but I can't tell if those are entire screen replacements or not. Also, I'm fine with tearing open the gamepad to make the replacement, but not with a product that is unreliable. Third party screens are fine, but only if someone can back how well they work compared to the real thing.


TL;DR
Essentially, has anyone else had experience buying and repairing a cracked gamepad screen that can help me out?

 

[Gnarmagon]

I'm sorry just in German:
https://www.nintendo.de/Hilfe/Wii-U/Reparatur/Ersatzteile-bestellen/Ersatzteil-bestellen-860414.html

I think you have to buy a new Pad

 

[CaptainAdama]

Hi, Mattshark,

here in Germany a repair is offered for 49.00 € plus shipping: http://www.ebay.de/itm/NINTENDO-Wii...995250?hash=item4b0d0540b2:g:iqgAAOSwiONYOgAu

A single LCD is about 30.00 €: http://www.ebay.de/itm/NINTENDO-Wii...995250?hash=item4b0d0540b2:g:iqgAAOSwiONYOgAu

As you said, the touchscreen is not broken.

 

[Gnarmagon]

but keep in mind to check how difficult it is to repair

 

[BlackZero500]

If you kbow your way around technical stuff it shouldnt be too difficult. You need patience a good tutorial and a triwing screwdriver

 

[Mattshark]

So all I need it an LCD screen, not a digitizer or touch screen?
(Touch works fine; only the visual is cracked)

 

[BlackZero500]

Exactly.

 

[reddragon105]

Yes, you can replace them separately - the LCD screen and digitizer are stuck together with some double sided black tape that does seem pretty strong at first but can easily be prised apart with some patience. Some people might suggest heating it up with a hairdryer or something to weaken the glue but I'm didn't find that necessary; I just used an Xacto knife blade to start with until I could get my fingernails in. (I'm in the middle of replacing my digitizer - just need to find a good replacement, which I've just started a thread asking about if anyone can help!)

I don't know if you've taken your GamePad apart yet but are you sure the digitizer isn't cracked as well? The touch feature could still be working even with a crack. Just not sure how you managed to crack the LCD without cracking the digitizer! You can buy each part separately or together, just as long as you know what you need.

 

[Trylk248]

First can you share a video or picture of the issue ?

 

[Mattshark]

The touchscreen still works perfectly fine; only the visual (LCD) is broken, I believe. I'm going to order a replacement in the next couple days when I have time to take it apart. Still want to be certain the digitizer is still in one piece, after all.

Thanks for all the advice, by the way; I've been slow with my responses, but I'll finally be able to get around to it this weekend!

 

[AmandaRose]

Gee I thought the wiiu gamepad was indestructible lol as my kids have dropped it more times than I can count inside and outside the house and still does not have a single scratch on it.

 

[Trylk248]

I really am wonderinf if i should apply some liquid shield on the touchscreen rather than a protective film.

Should I?