Note from Wololo: This tutorial was initially published by /Talk member jovita85, as part of our monthly tutorial contest. Jovita85 won the best 3DS tutorial prize (a $10 PSN Code) for his entry. You can find the original post here.

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This tutorial will teach you how to change the upper LCD screen of the Nintendo 3DS if it damaged or scratched or any other problem with the screen.
I tried to be as detailed as possible, all what you have to do is follow these steps very carefully in order to not damage you console.

Step 1
• CAUTION: Before you begin removing the back cover of your Nintendo 3DS, we advise you to check that it is turned off.
• Using a Phillips screwdriver , remove the four Phillips screws on the upper part of the casing of the 3DS.

Step 2
• While holding the 3ds with one hand, turn the 3DS so that the back cover opens slightly.
• With the other hand grab the back cover and then return again the Nintendo 3DS.
• You can now carefully remove the back casing of the console.

Step 3
• Insert a nylon spatula between the battery and the lower shell of the Nintendo 3DS.
• Shift the top of the battery to take it out of the slot.

Step 4
• Unscrew now the screws securing the inner shell:
– 9 black Phillips screws .
– 1 Phillips screw next to the location for the game cartridge.
• TIP: Phillips screws holding the shell of the Nintendo 3DS are sometimes very tight. Don’t hesitate to press out your screwdriver to avoid damaging the screw heads.

Step 5
•Gently lift the cover to place it vertically.
• WARNING: Do not attempt to completely remove the shell, it is attached to the motherboard of the Ninentdo 3DS by 2 layers.

Step 6
• Using nylon spatula, gently disconnect management layers of L and R buttons from the motherboard.
• Once the layers disconnected, you can safely remove the shell of the Nintendo 3DS.

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Step 7
• Using nylon spatula, gently raise out the infrared card from the motherboard.

Step 8
• Unscrew the two Phillips screws. They help hold the joystick to the 3DS motherboard.

Step 9
• Using nylon spatula, gently peel off the stick of the motherboard.
• Once slightly off, place it on the game cartridge slot of the Nintendo 3DS.
• TIP: If the joystick is hard to raise, do not hesitate to use force to lift slightly.

Step 10
• Use a spatula to lift the nylon holding the layer of the joystick.
• CAUTION: Make it raised on the valve and not the connector itself.

Step 11
• Once the valve raised to 90 °, you can gently pull the joystick to disconnect it from the motherboard.

Step 12
• Carefully raise up with nylon spatula detaching the ribbon cable from the SD card to the motherboard.

Step 13
• Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the 2 screws holding the SD card to the motherboard of the 3DS.

Step 14
• The SD card reader is glued to the motherboard.
• Insert a nylon spatula on the right side off gently.
• Repeat this on all 4 sides of SD reader of the Nintendo 3DS.
• And then gently lever it with a nylon spatula to remove it completely.

Step 15
• Using a spatula gently lever the WiFi card to disconnect it from the motherboard.
• CAUTION: Do not completely remove the WiFi card for the moment it is still attached to the motherboard by its antenna.
•Lever it now with nylon spatula to disconnect the WiFi antenna.

Step 16
• Using pliers remove the microphone location.
• CAUTION: It is possible that the protective rubber microphone remains in place. In this case use the pliers to remove it.
• Now use a nylon spatula to lever the valve connector microphone. This valve should be lifted to 90°.
• Once the valve raised up, you can safely remove the microphone from its connector.

Step 17
• Use a nylon spatula to open the valve connector holding the ribbon cable from the speakers to the Nintendo 3DS.
• CAUTION : Lever it on the valve and not the connector itself.
• Once the valve of the connector open (set to 90 °), you can safely unplug the ribbon cable from the speakers.

Step 18
• Use a nylon spatula open the valve connector holding the ribbon cable of the camera of the 3DS.
• CAUTION: Lever it on the valve and not the connector itself.
• TIP: Do not try this time to completely disconnect this layer.

Step 19
• Unscrew now 7 screws securing the motherboard to the Nintendo 3DS to its hull.

Step 20
• Lift now the motherboard to place it on the other side of the Nintendo 3DS.

Step 21
• Use a spatula to gently open the nylon valve connector holding the ribbon cable to the top of the Nintendo 3DS LCD.
• Once the valve in the open position (up to 90 °), you can completely disconnect the layer of the LCD safely.
• You can now safely remove the motherboard.
• CAUTION: Be careful not to touch the LCD screen by removing the motherboard.

Step 22
• Before continuing dismantling your Nintendo 3DS you must remove the LED diffuser of the WiFi so you do not lose it.
• To do this, flip your 3DS, the broadcaster should fall into your hand very easily.
• TIP: Put aside carefully this diffuser.

Step 23
• Remove now the WiFi antenna.
• TIP: If you are just about to change the glass of the LCD and not the complete LCD, this step is not mandatory.

Step 24
• Use a hair dryer to heat the edges of the LCD glass.
• CAUTION: The glass is very firmly stuck, do not hesitate to re-heat several times.

Step 25
• Carefully slide nylon spatula between the glass and the LCD shell of the 3DS then slowly back up the glass.
• To completely take off the glass, use the spatula to go around it.
• REMINDER: If you need to force too much, do not hesitate to re-heat your window to the desired location.

Step 26
• Once the edges of the glass completely loosened, insert a nylon spatula to lever it and completely remove it.
• The glass top of your LCD is now removed, you can if you need replace it with a new one.

Step 27
• Unscrew the 6 screws holding now the surrounding of the LCD to the hull of the Nintendo 3DS.

Step 28
• Using pliers, remove the two rubber pieces on each side of the edge of the LCD.

Step 29
• The casing of the 3DS is attached via 2 clips. Use a nylon spatula (or metal) to unclip.
• You can then easily remove the back cover of the Nintendo 3DS and remove it easily.

Step 30
• Using pliers (or your fingers), now remove the adjustment 3D button.
• TIP: This step is optional but recommended. When removing your Nintendo 3DS this button can easily fall off and be lost.

Step 31
• You must now separate the lower and upper part of the hull. For this we will take out the shell from its hinges.
• To do this insert the tip of a nylon spatula and apply pressure to the inside of the console.

Step 32
• Separate now the upper and lower part of the Nintendo 3DS.
• This step may require a bit of force but be careful not to bend or break the shell of your Nintendo 3DS.
• CAUTION: Many cables pass through the hole in the hull of the 3DS. Be careful to gently take it out in order to not damage your console.

Step 33
• Use pliers (or your fingers) to gently make the management cable of the speakers in the hole in the hull of the 3DS.

Step 34
• Unscrew the Phillips screw holding now the right side of all speakers at the hull of the 3DS.

Step 35
• Use a nylon spatula to open the 2 valves of the cable connectors from the speakers cables.
• Once the valves open (set to 90 °), you can disconnect the management cable of speakers safely.

Step 36
• Use a spatula to gently remove the left part and the part of the speaker.
• Once off, you can gently remove all speakers and the layers of your Nintendo 3DS.

Step 37
• Put now the cameras and LCD cables in the hole in the hull of the Nintendo 3DS.
• These cables can sometimes be a little difficult to pass. Don’t hesitate to wrap a little more about themselves to facilitate the operation.

Step 38
• Now use a spatula to gently remove cameras layers.

Step 39
• Once the layer detached, you can safely remove the cameras of your Nintendo 3DS.

Step 40
• Using a spatula, raise the LCD.

Step 41
• You can now safely remove the LCD screen of your Nintendo 3DS system and replace it with a new one if necessary.

To reassemble your high LCD screen follow this guide in reverse.

I hope this will help you 🙂