Hardware O3DS XL Screen Help

[nickwhit]

After not playing my 3DS for a while.. I went back to it recently only to find the screen had weird orange discoloration for seemingly no reason.

Ive tried removing the protective lens/glass to attempt cleaning it and the LCD directly.. but it had no effect.

Its hard to play like this, mostly because its so distracting it ruins all immersion. Is there anything I can do outside of replacing the LCD? Im not even sure if its a problem with the screen itself or if its the backlight or any other random thing.

Picture for reference : https://imgur.com/gallery/Uy6xLyL

 

[IC_]

Ouch that looks really bad
I took apart a DS screen with similar discoloration but not as bad some time ago and it seemed like the stuff is on the backlight so maybe it's possible to clean or replace the backlight layers but you would probably have to take the screen out of the 3DS
That's hard and you might break the ribbon cable if you're not careful and don't really have experience

 

[TurdPooCharger]

That orange splotchiness looks like rust damage to the inner surface of the steel plate that's directly behind the guide light sheet.

The only way to fix this is to replace the upper LCD.

• [iFixit] Nintendo 3DS XL Upper LCD Display Replacement
  
• [eBay] NEW Replacement Parts For 3DS XL Upper Top LCD Display Screen Monitor

 

[Harsky]

Looks like moisture somehow got in and caused the screen to look cloudy. A screen replacement is the only answer unless you are confident enough to do it yourself. Only other answer would be to sell it as spares and repairs and use the money towards another 3DS XL.

 

[nickwhit]

Ouch that looks really bad
I took apart a DS screen with similar discoloration but not as bad some time ago and it seemed like the stuff is on the backlight so maybe it's possible to clean or replace the backlight layers but you would probably have to take the screen out of the 3DS
That's hard and you might break the ribbon cable if you're not careful and don't really have experience

I was wondering if there was a way to reach and clean the backlight without having to dismantle the entire console. Can the front plate of the o3DS be pried and removed without doing damage?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

I think I know how this happen. OP cracked his LCD screen as can be seen in the big, middle spot next to the wretch icon. The source of the liquid contamination is from the display itself. As the liquid was left to dry over time, it had time to contact the steel plate and rust it.

 

[nickwhit]

I think I know how this happen. OP cracked his LCD screen as can be seen in the big, middle spot next to the wretch icon. The source of the liquid contamination is from the display itself. As the liquid was left to dry over time, it had time to contact the steel plate and rust it.

Would a crack in the LCD be visible or able to be felt after removing the protective glass like I did?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Would a crack in the LCD be visible or able to be felt after removing the protective glass like I did?

You will not be able to feel the crack if you were to remove the front clear panel because the crack is at the backside of the LCD display.

As for seeing it, you wouldn't be able to see it because of that splotch mark hiding it, which is the liquid bleeding out of the glass containment.

***

If you're not good with electronic repairs, get yours fixed by a 3rd party specialist. Nintendo no longer fixes o3DSXL.

• [eBay] Nintendo 3DS XL Game System Repair Service,Button,Hinge,Slot,Charger Port,Camera

or

Buy a replacement n3DSXL (check my signature), System Transfer your user setup & NNID over to the new system, and sell your o3DSXL for as-is scraps.