How to Fix DS Lite Broken Hinge & Replace Shell 2/2 

Thanks for this guide. Just completed the process in about 2 hours. Everything went smoothly, and the DS works great.

My poor ds... I have repaired a couple of dell notebooks, but I am so nervous about breaking my ds. I love it ❤️

Definitely not for the faint of heart. I somehow managed to do it without damaging anything, but it took a very long time as I've never worked with a DS Lite before. Every time he said "it will just slip right off", "go right throught" etc. I felt quite a bit discouraged because it was never that simple. The ribbon cable for the screen is a huge pain, and even that's been around to haunt people doing mods since the DMG. If you're not very patient and don't have a whole lot of time to spend on this, don't bother. I only did it because my hinge was broken, and I like to use a DS Lite for playing GBA games.

Just wanted to post thank you so very much for the clear and accurate instruction on repairing the broken hinge. Took me about an hour and a half to do but I was able to get everything together and most importantly turn on lol. I had a hell of a time feeding the black cable back under the slot but with some determination and a hell of a lot of luck it finally went. Giving this and your first video a like and will subscribe to your channel. Once again thank you and the Nintendo shop.

As we suspected. Thanks for getting back and confirming, and thanks for viewing!

Followed the instructions on the video replacing both the touch screen and the shell. Bit nervous about it but due to a great tutorial the ds lite is working like a dream with a complete face lift, cheers Brian great work, :-)

Thanks for these 2 videos. I replaced my shell with only a minimal amount of headache. The only bits that had me going nuts were the black wire you need to thread under the game slot (kept getting stuck halfway) and the L/R buttons kept popping free before I could put the bottom of the case on. Other than that, everything went smoothly.

I used this video to combine two broken DS lites to get one working DS. Very good tutorial. My biggest trouble was getting the springs for the shoulder buttons back in. Eventually I just gave up and omitted them. DS still works fine though!

@stephanieandjeremy We are glad to help! Thanks for the positive feedback.

@90MKynes You're welcome. We are glad to help. Check your connections if properly connected. Thanks for viewing!

Excellent instructions, new shell fitted with no problems

Thank you so much for this video. I had my ds fixed in a little under an hour!!! You guys are the best.

This has been so useful, Thank you!

@VelvetNightmare313 Thanks for the positive feedback again!

@tomagrieve Great! Thanks for the positive feedback!

I would have been so lost and probably would have broken something if I tried to do it without this video. Thank you!

@salv95 Check that you have the top LCD ribbon cable fully inserted into the tiny white plastic clamp. The ribbon cables has tiny flat metal contacts at the end that need to be fully and tightly inserted into this part. If this connection is not full and secure, you will have issues with the LCD.

Worked perfect.thanks for the video and parts.

@MrsDreadu The touch screen may have become disconnected during installation. Double check the touch screen connector clip to make sure you still have a solid connection.

This is a pretty great guide... I think I forgot to put the clear piece for the power light (opposite to where the hinge is); it's not too difficult to do, but it's really, really time consuming for a beginner like myself. Great work on the guide!!

@louloveswez Thanks for the positive feedback!

@vitstick Yes, actually. In some cases the axel is just fine. You can tell by taking it out and seeing if it will turn and lock on its own.

@pinkandshining You can check your connections if its properly connected. Make sure to turn on and off properly. If ever nothings happens it may be a bad LCD. You can also check the menu adjustment for background screen color, Let me know what happen.

@jaychou1994 Thanks for viewing! 1. Yes, you can only buy the hinge. We have on stock on our website. 2. Yes, buttons are included on the replacement shell kit. Please visit our website. 3. Yes, but we suggest to send it for repair so that we can take a closer look. Just in case you're interested. We offer a flat rate of $54.99 +shipping. It covers parts and labor.

Well, this helped me understand what I need to do now. My DS Lite has the same broken hinge this one did. Time for parts x.x

thanks for the video. that helps me to switch the case from my ds lite successful

@Mtspitz97 hope our video helps, if you'd like we can replace the case for you as well. Thanks for viewing!

@TheUnknownL You can check out our site on what part you need. If that the case you may need to replace your top, lower lcd and ribbon perhaps. Please check out our other video tutorials when repairing you DS Lite.

This video was very useful, thank you! However now that I put my DS back together the touch screen no longer seems to recognise anything.... visually the thing is fine but I just can't get a response out of it. Any suggestions as to what I might have done wrong or how to fix it? Maybe I accidentally unhooked something or w.e

@AlyssaGuereca If you are replacing the top LCD of a DS Lite you will need to desolder and resolder the speakers to the Top LCD ribbon cable. Thanks for viewing!

Hey! Thanks so much for the video, Luckily I got the hinge fixed. The only problem that I'm having now is that when I fully open the ds the top screen goes fuzzy. Any ideas why this is happening? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

@6PrinceVegeta We do have the parts. When you need to replace the hinge. We also replacement shell if you're interested. Just search for nintendo repair shop on google for our store. Thanks for viewing!

@kirbyguy111 It needs replacement. You can also check the ribbon if properly attached.

Thank you so much for these videos, they helped me a lot Greetings from Mexico:)

@AztecQueen321 If you lost the hinge. You need to replace it. We do have stock. Please visit our website for more information.

@archphoenix17 Great! Glad we could help!

@killerbot685 You can send it for repair at our site. Search on google for nintendo repair shop. Thanks for viewing!

@chess19 With the case slightly cracked it won't matter if you get it back in. The issue will only worsen over time. You should replace the case now before something else is damaged (like the top LCD screen). Check out our site for low cost DS Lite repair parts, and thanks for viewing!

Thanks for your video! It was really helpful!

@supershellmario I believe it does actually...

@TheMischievousbull It all depends on your natural interest/ability to problem solve. This is not a difficult repair if you can muster up enough patience. It should take about 1 - 2 hours if you watch the video once all the way through before hand to gain some perspective (so you know where you are in the repair process).

So we can just change the shell if we watch both your videos on it ? And if it had a broken hinge fox that as we'll

i'm having the same problem with mine, i'd really like to know what went wrong and how to fix this

mind making a video to show how to replace the lower touch screen LCD?

Hi, i am going to do a full shell replacement, you said not to disassemble the shoulder buttons, but i am making the silver case black so i will have to, will i be able to manage replacing the stuff from the silver buttons into the new buttons? Are there any tips you can give me, thanks in advance. P.s great tutorial, the best on the internet:)

@keyaxer If the lower LCD is flashing then the unit is turning back off, you should check to make sure that the upper LCD ribbon cable is put in all the way. If it is, then you may have crimped the ribbon cable while attempting to thread it through the hole. If the ribbon cable is plugged in all the way, and you would like us to repair the system for you we offer a flat rate repair service for DS lites on our website available in the description.

A couple of tips: -If you change to a whole new case, drill the screws first before anything, so the holes will be done and you won't have to "bury" new holes with the motherboard and everything. -Try to turn it on by putting the battery without the bottom part before complete reassembly to check of all cables are put correctly. If the DS turns of, check connections.

Are these links outdated or something? Nintendo repair shop has now become some kind of drivers Ed website I think it was hacked or something

thanks for the help! it works fine.....

@JAREDMICHALLE Yep, I can see that being annoying. I'd replace the top LCD using our other video as a guide.

@17Ziek For our repair service, It's a flat rate of $54.99 +shipping covers parts and labor. Please do send it for repair. You can visit our website by searching nintendo repair shop on google. Thanks for viewing!

@darkchaos989 Actually, we just got this part in. You can replace it, but it involves soldering a very small part. Go to our site (search nintendo repair shop on google), and once there search for ds lite connector.

thnx this video helped alot

@EvilNummyNummy Replacing the shell of a DS Lite is difficult but if you take it slow and follow our video you will be fine. Let us know if we can help out with any of the parts. Thanks for viewing!

@GamePlayUpload if you are having trouble with the repair you can send it in to our repair staff to fix out for you. Visit the link above and search for ds lite repair service.

My kit came with a metal sleeve with the barrel hinge. I didn't see you drop that in before you slid the barrel hinge in. Are we supposed to? Seems a very tight fit and now the sleeve can be seen through the thin crack at the back.

Thanks for the how-to. I replaced everything just fine, but my top screen was damaged.

@CodegeassFTW734 I wish we could find some time to get our DS Lite touch screen repair video up. Right now, we are still working to do so. In the meantime, we do have replacement touch screens in stock if you are interested in performing the repair on your own. Alternatively, you could send it into us for repair. Check out our site for details, and thanks for viewing!

@tomagrieve Great! Thanks again!

I got it apart and put together,but top screen only lights up, no graphics. I tried re-seating and trying various positions on the flat cord, even took it back apart to see if the cable got pinched or cut. Still nothing. Do I need to replace the upper screen? If you do it, what would be the cost to diagnose/repair?

is there a video for the 1st gen ds ??

@nintendorepair thanks ill look it up

@MASTERULEZ Nope, sorry this is pretty much the only way to go about replacing the shell.

my left and right triggers dont stay in place and keep coming out, what should I do? I got a replacement housing and the replacement springs also do the same thing

I just changed the shell on my ds lite. Checked if it was working several times while I took it apart, but now that it's all back together again, it's dead. When I turn it on the green light comes on for about a second and then goes out again, plus the bottom screen flashes white just before it dies. What have I done wrong? Also, the last time I put the bottom cover on, it got stuck on something and I just can't get it off again. So it seems opening the ds is no longer an option...

Im having a huge issue, the two longscrews that go into the 2 corner lights dont screw in all the way, making the motherboard lifted and leading to me being unable to install the l and r buttons, what do i do about this

@nintendorepair what if i dont have any parts where can i buy parts? when my ds lite broke the parts inside the hinge fell everywhere and i couldn't find them. I also might need a new shell where can i buy those? PLEASE HELP!

how do you change the top LCD screen because that's what i need to do (i think).(i don't think i saw it in the vid)

when putting my ds back together i was lining up the hinge cover with the hinge but the hinge cover no longer lines up properly its slightly of center and wont fit in properly i am clueless on what i should do about this. could you please tell me what i should do to fix this

Please double check the connection again if its properly seated. Let me know what happens.

If I broke the black latch that locks the ribbon cable to the motherboard is my DS broken, or is that a forgivable mistake. Also if it is broken what part do I need to buy to fix it and do you have any tips for getting that latch? I found it impossible to unlock...

Hello i have a problem with placing the triggers. everytime i placed them they will come out because of the springs do you know why?

Hi. I was wondering about something. I am replacing the case on my ds and the top replacement shell won't slide all the way on. Is there anyway I can fix this?

If the problem persist, you may have a bad screen. It needs replacement. You may wanna check out our website and see the part that you need for repair. You can also send your system for repair. We are glad to help you out.

its up and running but the top screen is a bit pink, is this just the ribbon not plugged in right? when it first came on it wasn't pinkish.

OMGOSH I DID IT! THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!

@CodegeassFTW734 I am guessing you have figured this out by now, but you just have to press together while the interior portion is slightly lower than the exterior, and slide the interior portion up until it locks. I will warn you that mixing shells/cases does not always end well. Not all cases are a 100% perfect fit with each other, even though all of them will fit the DS Lite system on their own.

i have a ds lite that messed up at the bottom screen it will turn on flash and turn off and i know how to fix it but i dont have the tools is there any way i could open the ds without a triwing?

does it work for the 3ds too

i finished replacing the shell on my ds and the bottom screen works fine except for when i try to touch it to activate it. i touch to start and nothing happens. every other aspect of the ds works fine. do you know what could be causing this problem?

Hello I have a problem the spine of the 3Ds is cracked and now only the bottom screen comes on what should I do to try and fix it?

i have some questions: 1. i just wan't to fix my DS Lite's hinge, can I just buy the hinge or do i have to buy the whole shell. 2. By changing the shell, will it solve the D-Pad's problem? my D-pad doesn't click anymore and it requires a tremendous force to get a response. 3. After my hinge is broken, it somehow effected a circuit inside (from what i gathered) and would cause my DS Lite to sometimes turn of by itself, will this problem be solved by fixing the hinge?

@Zer0megaXX We are working on a slew of new videos ranging from DS Lite, DS and DSi repair to Wii and even all the way back to NES, SNES and N64. Check back over the next month as we add new videos.

I'm on the first step on this video. When I feed the wires and the ribbon cable through, I cannot get the round silver thing to fit to merge the top and button together.

Don't fret. You simply need to go back and double check that the top LCD is completely and securely hooked into that little snap on connector. Based on your symptoms that is the issue. Try opening back up and reseating that. Give it up to three trys without putting it all back together, and get back to us.

My problem is that the hinge is slightly cracked, which it's been for awhile, but somehow the barrel hinge has popped out, leaving the rest of the system seemingly intact. If I could simply get the barrel hinge back in, I'd be fine, but I just don't know how it managed to pop out. Is there any trick to this?

Hey what are the tools size I need ??

My brother's ds lite randomly turns off, and I'd like to know why it does that and how to fix it myself, if possible. Thanks.

Can you help me? My bottom screen works fine and all of the ds but the upper screen is a white screen :( First i saw some lines but now i didn,t see anything only a white screen. And my ribbon cable is just fine and i have try it a couple of time to put it again in the ribbon cable slot. Already thank you very much for your nice tutorial!

i replaced the shell on my ds lite and put it all back together the right way. the buttons, screens, volume-power buttons and triggers work perfectly. the only problem i have is that when i touch the bottom screen it doesn't detect my touch, no matter how to hard i press down. do you know what could be causing this?

i actually went back and it happened to be the ribbon cable thing wasn't all the way locked in. thanks for the feedback though!

recently my ds lite hinge broke but its in one peice but i cant find the service for it it is the limited edition diamond and pearl ds lite can anyone direct me to the service to get it fixed i looked at the warranty and it doesnt cover it. Can anyone help me please?

buddy yo're a lifesaver, the hinge on my (third party modded) Ds Lite broke today and the sketchy repair shop that claimes to repair them says it'll take a montyh and cost over 100. or i could do it myself in... an hour maybe for like 20 (to buy a spares/repairs ds lite)

Replaced it. Now it turns on for a second and switches back off. Cool.

can someone please answer this!!? after doing all of this my top screen just displays black with a couple of colored lines going through it when it turn it on... WHAT SHOULD I DO and what have i done wrong!?

i was gonna do my ds myself but this stuff seems complicated im taking it to store

you need the rubber backings to repair the unresponsive buttons. type in "dslite rubber button" on amazon or ebay. you can buy em for around 3 bucks

I am a Mom in Germany and I replaced everything like your video said and it worked fine but the touch screen does not work anymore.....do you know what that could be?

My power thing came off and idk what to do someone help

@myvideos123456123456 The repair video are for Nintendo DS Lite only but we do have other repair videos.