Nintendo Switch Heat Sink Replacement

Press and hold down the small round button on the back of the Joy Con controller.

While you hold down the button, slide the controller upward.

Continue sliding the controller upward until it's completely removed from the console.

Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the four 6.3 mm-long screws securing the rear panel.

Use a JIS 000 screwdriver to remove the following screws securing the rear panel:

One 2.5 mm-long screw on the top edge of the device

Two 2.5 mm-long screws on the bottom edge of the device

Use a JIS 000 screwdriver to remove the two 3.8 mm center screws on the sides of the device (one on each side).

Use your finger to flip up the kickstand on the back of the device.

Use a JIS 000 screwdriver to remove the 1.6 mm screw in the kickstand well.

Lift the rear panel up from the bottom of the device and remove it.

Use a JIS 000 screwdriver to remove the 3.1 mm screw securing the microSD card reader to the device.

Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to lift the microSD card reader straight up from the device to disconnect and remove it.

Use a JIS 000 screwdriver to remove the six 3 mm screws securing the shield plate to the device.

Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to peel back the piece of foam on the top edge of the device near the fan exhaust port.

Insert a spudger underneath the shield plate along the edge of the device.

Remove the shield plate.

Use the point of a spudger to pry the battery connector straight up and out of its socket on the motherboard.

Use a JIS 000 screwdriver to remove the three 3 mm screws securing the heat sink to the motherboard.

Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingers to carefully peel up the foam that's lightly adhered to the fan.

Use a spudger or your fingers to lift the heatsink up and off the motherboard to remove it.