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The Nintendo Switch is a handheld game console that can be played on the TV via a docking station, or on the go. Released March 3rd, 2017.

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Connector that keeps the Switch fan connected broke off

Hello,

I've caused a friend's switch some damage that the fan is not operating now. Everything else works fine thankfully, but it seems like the gray clamp that keeps the connection together snapped off and it looks like the pin on top broke off with it. Here is the condition it is in.

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Compared to the image shown here in iFixIt:

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This seems like it requires some solder work on the motherboard with a replacement ribbon clamp. Can anyone confirm this is the case or is are there any suggestions we can try?

So far, putting pressure in the area does not help nor did any electrical tape with pressure did either.

Thanks

Update (05/10/2022)

Update to @flannelist. Looks like the connectors look okay? I haven't had any luck trying to put pressure getting the fan to turn on unfortunately. I did order extra pieces of this on this site. Seems like soldering will be needed for this.

Thanks all for looking at this issue!

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Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Connector looks okay to me too. Might some other issue down the road, but definitely replacing the connector is a solid plan to start.

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Loose connection, the fan ribbon cable isn’t really well thought out. I used piece of safe foam and electrical tape to hold pressure under the heat transfer copper (not sure what its called) fan works fine now. I added conductive glue just in case. Take my info with a massive grain of salt though I am a rookie at absolute best

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I mean I have this problem too and I can't solder the problem because I don't have a soldering tools

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The little clip is just to keep the cable squished into the connector pins, and to keep the cable from coming loose, if the pin damage is just on the top part of the pin, I don't know that that's a huge deal and would probably just be cosmetic . Seems logical that this is related if the clip is broken off and the fan isn't spinning. But all the contacts for the fan cable are on the bottom side of the fan cable and since the cable is plugged in in your picture, it's hard to tell if there is any damage to the pins in the connector where they make contact with the cable. I would unplug that cable and inspect the connector for any other damage.

If no, it may just be that the cable sitting flat in the connector is not enough to make a strong electrical contact. See if you can use a plastic spudger or something flat and not conductive to press the cable into the bottom of the connector and see if you get fan spin that way. Otherwise, I would check for continuity with a multimeter to make sure the connector is seated firmly on the board. If you do need to replace the connector, yes you would need soldering skills for sure. If you get fan spin with pressure, I would see if you can just get a new connector and harvest the clip from that and install it on the existing connector.

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@tsunau most likely it does not make contact without the clasp. Yes, you will need to replace it with another SMD connector and solder it to the board. No way around it. You would need something like this part Unless you do know somebody that could remove the connector and solder the ribbon cable right to the board. Tricky but doable.....

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Tsunau will be eternally grateful.
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