Hardware I can't unscrew my N3DS. I think the screw is ruined.

[Bros.Life]

I just can't unscrew the damn screw! I have a N3DS and the left screw is okay, however, I have used all my screwdrivers and knifes and I can't unscrew the right one.
I want to take out my SD card, but the cover is stuck because of the screw.

Any suggestion?

I'm so upset with nintendo because it made the N3DS SD Card location in a stupid place, and also, with myself because I was so stupid to mess up with the screw.

If you guys know a way to unscrew a ruined screw I'd appreciate.

Thanks.

 

[migles]

does it spin? if it doesn't spin, i am afraid you will probably need to drill it...

 

[Xenon Hacks]

does it spin? if it doesn't spin, i am afraid you will probably need to drill it...

If they spin then its unscrewed just lift it up from both slits on the sides (near l and R triggers). The screws themselves should not be able to come out of the back plate anyways.

 

[bkifft]

you could try and ask a watchmaker, they do have specialized screw extractors for stripped screws in small sizes.

 

[EarlAB]

Screw you, mate.

 

[Deleted User]

Sounds like you're.... Screwed.
I'll leave now.

 

[migles]

you could try and ask a watchmaker, they do have specialized screw extractors for stripped screws in small sizes.

thanks for the tip. this is a great usefull thing to know

 

[NekoMichi]

I've heard that covering the screw with a wide rubber band and then trying to unscrew it with a screwdriver might work, but I'm not sure how trustworthy these "life hacks" are.

 

[Joshwraith]

You want to change the SD card or access the data ?

You can still access the data from the PC without remove the SD card.

 

[Bros.Life]

does it spin? if it doesn't spin, i am afraid you will probably need to drill it...

That's the problem. It doesn't spin. It has lost its contact with the screwdriver. Probably I caused this when I attempted unscrew with a knif.

you could try and ask a watchmaker, they do have specialized screw extractors for stripped screws in small sizes.

Yeah. This is what I thought. There's one in my city, I will bring it to him tomorrow.

I've heard that covering the screw with a wide rubber band and then trying to unscrew it with a screwdriver might work, but I'm not sure how trustworthy these "life hacks" are.

I've also tried this. But I got no successful.

You want to change the SD card or access the data ?

You can still access the data from the PC without remove the SD card.

I know that. But the transfer rate is too slow. And also, I was thinking to attempt the downgrade and I don't know if I can trust to transfer the cia files to N3DS by "wireless".

 

[3DSDSXL]

The screws on the new 3ds XL don't come out completely you just loosen them and pull the cover off.

 

[BORTZ]

Have you tried wiggling the cover to see if it comes off? That screw might not be the kind that comes all the way out.

 

[Bros.Life]

I brought my N3DS to a watchmaker in my city and he was able to unscrew using one of his tools. Thanks for all your helps guys!

 

[marksteele]

If they spin then its unscrewed just lift it up from both slits on the sides (near l and R triggers). The screws themselves should not be able to come out of the back plate anyways.

...you say that but a screw came out of mine somehow so......

 

[Xenon Hacks]

...you say that but a screw came out of mine somehow so......

well that's not good lol

 

[guitarheroknight]

Stop screwing around

 

[DinckelMan]

This seems to be a very common issue, huh.

I need to replace my battery because mine degraded or some crap.

Both of my screws that are holding the back panel are already broken and i can't unscrew them at all. Should i just pay someone to drill them out? Can i get new screws like that somewhere?

 

[Selver]

I just can't unscrew the damn screw! I have a N3DS ....

This seems to be a very common issue, huh.

The root cause is likely that people (including myself, the first time) attempted to use standard Phillips screwdrivers. However, these screws are actually JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard), and thus require JIS #0 (aka J#0, not P#0) drivers to avoid stripping the screws. Even the guys at iFixit.com got this wrong on the some of the guides.

JIS bits work for standard Phillips screws.
Phillips bits strip standard JIS screws.

 

[mgrev]

try to stick a flat head screwdriver under the screw, if you can. then, start to slowly rotate the screwdriver (while it's still underneath the head of the screw) while pushing the screw down with your fingers, so that the screwdriver will get a grip. i've had to do that a lot on my o3ds

 

[wurstpistole]

I just keep the back plate unscrewed. It fits in place without tightening the screws and comes of easily but not by itself.