Left Joy-Con Buttons Replacement

Last updated on February 4, 2025

30 minutes - 1 hour

Moderate

Introduction

This guide was created to assist users in replacing the buttons on their left Nintendo Switch Joy-con. Please note that this guide does not contain steps for the right Joy-Con. The process for the right Joy-con is different and a bit more difficult. The process for replacing the buttons in the left Joy-Con consists of opening the Joy-Con, removing each of the inner pieces, batteries, and motherboard, then locating, removing, and replacing the desired buttons.

What you need

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Step 1 Left Face Buttons

Left Joy-Con Buttons Replacement, Left Face Buttons: step 1, image 1 of 2

Left Joy-Con Buttons Replacement, Left Face Buttons: step 1, image 2 of 2

Remove the four screws located on the back casing with a Y00 screwdriver.
Insert a plastic opening tool or pick into the side of the Joy-Con without the rail and gently pry downwards to release the back plate.

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Step 2

Open the Joy-Con toward the rail side, like a book.
Be careful not to damage the two fragile ribbon cables attaching the rails to the motherboard.

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Step 3

Insert a spudger or plastic opening tool underneath the battery and gently begin prying downward to release the adhesive holding the battery in place.
Remove the battery from the inner casing.
Be careful not to pull too hard on the battery, as it is connected to the motherboard by a cord and you could risk damaging it.

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Step 4

Gently pull the cord that's connecting the battery to the motherboard up and out of the Joy-Con.

Edit

This step is very precise and it is easy to break the connector if done incorrectly.

Henrik Myrhaug - Sep 3, 2022 Reply

Yeah I broke it… it would be nice to see a more in-depth version of the video on their YouTube.

Rosie - Oct 23, 2022

So lucky I had one to "dissect" turns out you don't pull in line with the wire it's more of a pry up/pull straight up from the board

Michael Cicciarella - Apr 11, 2023 Reply

Step 5

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the three screws that are locking the inner casing into place.

Edit

There is also a phillips screw in the bottom right of the picture that needs to be removed before removing the battery holder.

Ben Masten - Jul 8, 2019 Reply

Step 6

Open up the inner casing in the opposite direction you opened up the outer casing.
Be careful not to damage the one fragile ribbon cable attaching the inner casing to the motherboard.

Edit

It should be noted the parts of the inner casing that are closest to the rail have adhesive on them that may need a little coaxing (seen in white on the right side of the above image)

Sami Ring - Mar 9, 2021 Reply

Step 7

Tool used on this step:

Tweezers

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Using tweezers, gently lift up on the black or grey clasps holding down each of the 5 ribbon cables connected to the motherboard.
Using the tweezers, gently pull each of the ribbon cables out from their connections.

Edit

I use these tutorials to also learn what each part is so I wish these were labeled with their proper names

Dimarnae Deveau - Mar 11, 2023 Reply

Step 8

Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, unscrew both screws connecting the analog stick to the motherboard.

Edit

Don’t forget to take off the blue ribon at the right side of the right screw

max_maxi - Apr 1, 2020 Reply

This step and the next are not really necessary unless you are replacing the analog stick.

Henrik Myrhaug - Sep 3, 2022 Reply

Step 9

Carefully lift the analog stick up and out from the Joy-Con.

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Step 10

Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, remove the two screws holding the motherboard in place.

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Step 11

Carefully remove the rumble pack connected to the motherboard by gently lifting it out of its casing.
You may need to lift with a little force, as this piece is connected with adhesive.
Do not disconnect the cord connecting the rumble pack to the motherboard.
Carefully lift both the rumble pack and motherboard out of the outer casing.

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Step 12

Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, remove the three screws holding the minus button and L button into place.

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Step 13

Locate and remove all of the rubber casings covering the buttons.

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Step 14

Use tweezers to remove all the buttons that you would like to replace.
Be careful not to turn the Joy-Con over as the buttons are now loose and could fall out.

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Step 15

Using tweezers, carefully place all your new buttons into the Joy-Con.
Make sure each of the notches on the buttons are properly lined up to the notches in the Joy-Con. Failure to do so could lead to non-responsive buttons.

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Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Make sure when you are screwing the motherboard back into place you do not screw it in too tightly. If the motherboard is too tight to the buttons it could keep the buttons from pushing properly.

32 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 12 other contributors

Joshua Thomas

Member since: 09/26/18

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1 Guide authored

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Team

Eastern Washington University, Team S3-G2, Crane Fall 2018 Member of Eastern Washington University, Team S3-G2, Crane Fall 2018

EWU-CRANE-F18S3G2

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9 Guides authored

8 Comments

My left directional button is nonresponsive. Can I fix this by dropping in a replacement left directional button? Would the rubber cover need to be replaced as well?

Blade Dub - Jan 28, 2019 Reply

just incase you havent done so already, it might not be the button. it might be the motherboard, connectors, and a whole slew of other problems.

john gerardo - Sep 29, 2019

What type of switch is the minus button? It’s on the same ribbon as the L micro switch. My L switch is bad and I’m replacing it I just would like to know the name of the type of switch used on the minus button.

brantleycmd - Sep 10, 2019 Reply

Thank you for the helpful guide! Is there a guide for the right Joy Con available anywhere?

ericsajedi - May 7, 2020 Reply

Eric, no one has made a guide for the right Joy-Con yet! I’ve taken them both apart and the buttons are pretty similar. I think you can use Joshua’s button guide here and this joystick guide to guide you to the buttons in the other Joy-Con! If you do end up attempting it, consider taking some photos and making a guide for future right Joy-Con fixers. :)

Taylor Dixon - May 7, 2020

Thanks for sharing this awesome guide! The first Joy-Con repair went great but i just tried repairing a second Joy-Con and after calibrating it’s drifting really bad. The replacement joystick I used was from Amazon and only $6 so I’m assuming that’s why it didn’t work. I just ordered a new replacement joystick from iFixit so hopefully that one is better quality and works. Thanks again!

ericsajedi - May 12, 2020 Reply

my L button wasn't working and i bought a replacement piece along with the screwdrivers. this guide helped me a lot!

MeMoTie - Aug 22, 2022 Reply

Mon bouton left ne fonctionné plus , problème résolu grâce à ce tuto ,trop simple en faite .

Jean-Paul Verhaeghem - Dec 9, 2023 Reply

Left Joy-Con Buttons Replacement

Introduction

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Team

Eastern Washington University, Team S3-G2, Crane Fall 2018 Member of Eastern Washington University, Team S3-G2, Crane Fall 2018

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