Nintendo Switch Fan Replacement Guide
Is your switch getting hot or shutting off during game play? Does the fan not turn on when it gets hot? This repair will show you how to keep your switch cooled down with a new fan.
If you would prefer to read a written repair guide, check that out below. Or if the tool cost seems prohibitive for a one time repair and you would prefer that we complete this repair for you, check out our Repair Catalog to see if we offer repair services for this device.
Are you a business? We offer wholesale discounts on our repair services if you are sending numerous units in for repair or want to send us continuing batches of devices for repair on a regular basis. Contact our support team for more info Info@JoesGE.com (This email is only for wholesale inquiries, please contact Support@JoesGE.com for other inquiries).
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Repair Difficulty: Moderate
Time to complete: 60-90 minutes
The tools and parts that you will need for this repair:
- A New Fan
- Nylon Spudger Tool (For unlocking ribbon connectors and doing other tasks that require a non conductive tool)
- Repair Kit (Or a Small Phillips Screwdriver and a Y Screwdriver)
- Anti-Static Parts Organizer Mat
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1. Remove the Back Cover
Using your Y tip screwdriver, remove the screw in each corner of the back cover.
Using your Phillips head screwdriver, remove the two screws in the center of the bottom side of the console, the single screw in the center of the top side of the console, and the single screw in the center of each Joy Con rail on the sides of the console.
Remove the screw under the kick stand and pop the came cartridge cover out.
With all of the screws removed, lift the back cover away from the console starting on the charge port side then wiggle the case on all of the other sides to lift it free. We would strongly recommend watching how to do this part in The Video so as not to break the back cover.
2. Remove the Heat Sink
Remove the 7 silver screws from the metal heat sink, starting with the one in the center next to the fan.
With the screws removed, unplug and remove the micro SD card reader by pinching the reader in your fingers then lifting straight away from the console as seen in the photo below.
Lastly, lift the heat sink away from the console.
3. Remove The Headphones Jack
Remove the 3 silver screws that hold the game slot and headphone jack assembly in place. All of the silver screws are the same, but it is good practice to organize the screws and parts so that you don't lose them.
Pop the clip up that holds the ribbon cable on the right side of the game card (If looking at the console as picture, upside down). Use your fingernail to get under the edge of the dark color clip and lift it up and to the left. Be very gentle with this clip. (It might be helpful to watch this in The Video).
Slide the ribbon cable out of the clip.
Using your plastic pry tool, lift the cable on the left side away from the console.
Gently lift the assembly out of the console and to the right away from the copper heat pipe.
4. Remove the Old Fan
Remove the 3 silver screws that hold the fan assembly in place. Be careful not to damage the copper heat pipe when removing the screw next to it.
Using your plastic pry tool, lift the fan up and away from the copper heat pipe. It will take some fiddling on each side of the fan to get it loose and lift it out so take it slow. **Once you have the fan loose, do not pull it immediately out of the console as it is plugged into the circuit board.
Using the pointy end of your plastic pry tool, lift the tab on the small ribbon cable connector that is under the heat pipe. It might be worth watching this part in The Video to see how its done. It is the same as the large ribbon connector that was holding the game slot in place but it flips up and towards where the game slot would be. If it makes it easier, you could remove the heat pipe before lifting the clip.
Slide the fan out of its place being careful to not get the ribbon cable stuck on anything.
5. Install the New Fan
Slide the new fan into place under the heat pipe. It might take a few tries to get the ribbon cable into its connector but it is doable. There are two ears sticking off of the sides of the ribbon cable that you can push on to get it into the connector. It might be helpful to watch how Ed does this in The Video.
With the ribbon cable in the connector, push the latch down to secure the cable in place then gently slide the fan into its spot without pulling the ribbon cable out of the connector.
Align the screw holes on the fan with the ones on the console and put the 3 screws back into their places loosely at first, then when all 3 screws are put in, you can tighten them all down until they are snug. 
6. Re-attach the Game Slot, Headphones Jack, and Heatsink
Slide the game slot in underneath the heat pipe and lift the ribbon cable on the right so that it is above the game slot.
Place the black cover over the headphone port then re-install the 3 screws that hold the assembly in place.
Slide the ribbon cable on the other side of the game slot into its connector then, gently close the latch.
Gently push the connector on the left side straight down onto the motherboard. Don't force it, be gentle and position it until it will click in with minimal force.
Place the heatsink back onto the console then gently attach the Micro SD card reader back onto its connector and align the slot onto the two dowels that hold it in place.
Re-insert all 7 screws that hold down the heatsink starting with the one that holds the Micro SD slot in its place.
7. Attach the back cover
Start by aligning the two tabs on the bottom of the back cover with the two holes near the charging port then carefully lay the back cover down onto the console.
Gently press in the center at the top of the back cover to lock the snap connectors in place. The back cover should be flush with the console all around after the top locks into place.
Re-insert the two screws in the bottom of the console, the single screw in the top, and the single screw in the center of each Joy Con rail. Since these screws aren't magnetic, it helps to aim your screwdriver down and hold the screw on the end then drop the screw into its hole and tighten it until snug.
Lift the kickstand and re-insert the short wide-headed screw into its hole.
Using your Y tip screwdriver, re-insert the screw into each corner of the back housing.
