Why my Nintendo Switch screen scratches?

Well, there is no way to perfectly prevent your handheld Mario Kart gateway from scratches and if you’re anything like us you probably don’t want to wrap it half an inch thick rubber cases and install cumbersome screen protectors. Nintendo created the design to be used and abused in it’s most prime form, which is just how we love it!

So, the scratches… They not only compromise the sleekness of Nintendo Switch but can also obstruct that beautiful BOTW scenery and disable parts of screen touch function as well.

Good news is that the screen is replaceable and aftermarket screens started to appear in our European markets. However, the replacement is not as easy as re-installing screen protector and requires special tools and some skill to carry out successfully.

In order to start removing the screen from the console firstly disconnect touch screen flex cable which is located located next to a rail, which on the opposite side of the battery. The flex cable is connected to a daughter board and is 15.5mm in width.

Place Nintendo Switch face down on the heating platform and set the temperature to 80C with timer to run for 10 minutes, this step is required to make sure the glue between digitiser and the shell softens and screen can be removed for replacement.

Once time passed, the glue is soft and we can start removing the screen. Pickup a corner of the digitiser using screen removal tool. You can use one of the speaker slots to give you a kick start, however ensure you don’t damage the cosmetic condition of the digitiser if you plan to re-use it, for e.g. in case of LCD-only replacement.

Carefully pry-off the digitiser by using levers and picks slowly  cutting through adhesive all around the screen. Take care with screen removing tools and do not slide them too deep to avoid damaging LCD itself. Also make sure you are aware where digitiser’s flex cable is and work around it to avoid damage to it.

Once the glue all around the screen has been peeled off, remove the digitiser completely. Keep in mind the flex cable has to come out via a cut out in the shell.

Once old digitiser is removed, you most likely will have a lot of adhesive left on the shell, where the touch screen sits. Remove all of it as we will be placing new adhesive in there.

Ideally we would use a pre-cut adhesive template, however at the time of writing there simply isn’t any available on the market, so using 6.5mm double side adhesive tape lay the touch screen area with new adhesive. Make sure the new adhesive does not cover the LCD, where it could be seen through digitiser once assembled. Also bear in mind digitiser flex cable location and work around it. Super important; make sure speaker locations are not covered in adhesive.

Prepare new screen and clean the digitiser from any dust particles or smudges. Use lint free wipes, screen cleaner and compressed air.

Remove the film from the inner panel of the new digitiser and feed the the flex cable through a cut out slot in the shell so it comes out to the back of the console.

Place new digitiser in place by firstly tightly aligning the corner next to flex cable and then laying down other 3 in place. Double check for dust, remove the outer protective film and place it on the heating platform for 10 minutes at 80C.

Once platform is cool, remove the console and put it back together following the steps backwards.