Switch not working after attempted repaste

[LifePorpoise]

Okay forgive me if I miss obvious details/this post seems rushed because I'm feeling as though I'm in crisis mode right now and hopefully my panic subsides asap so I can successfully troubleshoot my issue!

I have a v1 unpatched erista console that I have been successfully running CFW on emuMMC for quite a while and tonight I attempted to repaste the thermal paste using mx-4 thermal paste (removing all the old paste with 99.8% isopropyl alcohol and cotton tips) following a video guide on youtube (after researching and consulting multiple guides online for months leading up to this).

Once I attempted to power my console back on (using RCM jig and injecting payload) my screen turns on but NOTHING loads, not Hekate or Atmosphere. Also after holding power for 12 seconds and attempting to power on into OFW the screen remains blank.

It seems my console booting in to RCM mode but I cannot change the state of the blank screen after injecting a payload... Also my gamepad connects to it once I have injected a payload.

I really hope I am missing something simple and overreacting but fear I have bricked my swtich.

Any help would be amazing! Thankyou

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Okay forgive me if I miss obvious details/this post seems rushed because I'm feeling as though I'm in crisis mode right now and hopefully my panic subsides asap so I can successfully troubleshoot my issue!

I have a v1 unpatched erista console that I have been successfully running CFW on emuMMC for quite a while and tonight I attempted to repaste the thermal paste using mx-4 thermal paste (removing all the old paste with 99.8% isopropyl alcohol and cotton tips) following a video guide on youtube (after researching and consulting multiple guides online for months leading up to this).

Once I attempted to power my console back on (using RCM jig and injecting payload) my screen turns on but NOTHING loads, not Hekate or Atmosphere. Also after holding power for 12 seconds and attempting to power on into OFW the screen remains blank.

It seems my console booting in to RCM mode but I cannot change the state of the blank screen after injecting a payload... Also my gamepad connects to it once I have injected a payload.

I really hope I am missing something simple and overreacting but fear I have bricked my swtich.

Any help would be amazing! Thankyou

Try to boot (either OFW, or CFW if you have autoboot enabled in hekate), wait a few minutes and press the home button on the joycon, if it vibrates to indicate it's connected that would suggest the console is booted properly but display out (or backlight) is not working for whatever reason.
Have you tried docking it?

 

[Hayato213]

Some picture would help of the area you applied thermal paste

 

[LifePorpoise]

Try to boot (either OFW, or CFW if you have autoboot enabled in hekate), wait a few minutes and press the home button on the joycon, if it vibrates to indicate it's connected that would suggest the console is booted properly but display out (or backlight) is not working for whatever reason.
Have you tried docking it?

Try to boot (either OFW, or CFW if you have autoboot enabled in hekate), wait a few minutes and press the home button on the joycon, if it vibrates to indicate it's connected that would suggest the console is booted properly but display out (or backlight) is not working for whatever reason.
Have you tried docking it?

Completely powered off (after holding down the power button for 12 seconds) and with my sd card removed it does not turn on normally but seems to be loaded in to RCM mode because when when I plug it in to my laptop the tegrarcmgui detects it is in RCM mode.

I know I have haptic feedback disabled on my gamepad but it does connect once I inject a payload, and no change once I dock the console..

Post automatically merged: Sep 24, 2025

Some picture would help of the area you applied thermal paste

Post automatically merged: Sep 24, 2025

I'm feeling gutted

Post automatically merged: Sep 24, 2025

Completely powered off (after holding down the power button for 12 seconds) and with my sd card removed it does not turn on normally but seems to be loaded in to RCM mode because when when I plug it in to my laptop the tegrarcmgui detects it is in RCM mode.

I know I have haptic feedback disabled on my gamepad but it does connect once I inject a payload, and no change once I dock the console..

Post automatically merged: Sep 24, 2025

Post automatically merged: Sep 24, 2025

I'm feeling gutted

Once I have injected payload and plugged in to dock the green light flashes repeatedly :/

 

[thesjaakspoiler]

Once I have injected payload and plugged in to dock the green light flashes repeatedly :/

I recall that means that the dock cannot talk to the Switch.
Maybe there is an issue with your USB-C port.
Sometimes some pins disconnected when opening the Switch.

 

[LifePorpoise]

That is certainly a possibility! I assume I have autoRCM active and maybe the faulty port is causing the payload to boot incorrectly or something when I inject it, hmm.

Ive got a small list of troubleshooting ideas I'm going to try once my daughter goes to sleep.

Cleaning and testing the USB - C port is on the list (aswell as some SD card/CFW tests and eventually complete dis/reassembly, maybe testing components with a multimeter on motherboard and reapplying paste)

 

[Hayato213]

Since you pry open the cpu cover check components near it.

 

[LifePorpoise]

Since you pry open the cpu cover check components near it.

Any common problems/tips on what to look for in and around the CPU? Any advice no matter how small is vastly appreciated!!

 

[Hayato213]

Any common problems/tips on what to look for in and around the CPU? Any advice no matter how small is vastly appreciated!!

Check if you knock off any components, cut any trace or thermal paste near the cpu area, that is what I would look at.