Nintendo Switch is overheating and doesn’t charge joy-con controllers — how to fix
It is a small DIY project about fixing Nintendo Switch console. It will solve the issue of console sudden overheating problem and inability to top-up joy-cons battery.
I’m using my Switch carefully. I was surprised to get the ‘Switch is overheated and go to sleep mode’. After some time my joy-cons’ batteries died and there was no way to charge it with Switch itself.
I’ve spent some time to debug the issue. Joy-cons were charging perfectly from the other Switch as well as from external charger. They also were connecting properly (with click sound) and playable when inserted to Nintendo Switch. But the charging didn’t happen.
Googling the issue I found multiple useless videos with recommendations to clean the connectors, turn on/off console and try again. Nothing helped. The only useful instructions describing the same problem and solution was this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuQC3ipu-qY . Not the best video quality but appeared to be very helpful.
It appears that my fan was not working causing the overheating issues. At the same time joy-con charge circuit is linked with the fan’s power circuits. That’s why both issues happened at the same time caused by one faulty diode.
I decided to follow the advice from the video and fix Nintendo Switch myself. I planned to disassemble console and remove the diode that potentially cause the problem.
*I’m not experienced technician. This is not an official advice. There is no guarantee it will work for you. I’m just describing what I’ve done and what I’ve got. You’re doing it on your own risk and responsibility.
To prepare for this project I’ve got the following tools:
Following the instructions from the https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+Switch+Fan+Replacement/113058 and video I’ve done the following.
Prepared the set of boxes to separate the screws. There are a lot of them and they’re all different length. Be careful and don’t mix them up.
iFixit recommends to use Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver which in my case was Tri-Wing screwdriver 1.5 “Y” from the set.
What I was looking for appeared to be much smaller than I’ve expected. Here is a picture of that little bastard.
That’s when the precision and sharp pointy tweezers are needed. Carefully push the diode and it will detach from board. No need to use any soldering tools. Be careful and don’t scratch the board or remove other parts around.
After this I’ve cleaned all the parts from the old thermal paste with cotton buds and alcohol then carefully applied new one. In order to verify the fix I’ve powered on the half-assembled device. I’ve put the game card in the slot and run the game. Fan is typically off and only starts spinning when the game starts. Please note that fully charged controllers won’t start charging before console is plugged to original charger. Have that around to verify.
The result is great. Fan start working again and joy-cons are charging!
I’m curious how much this reparation would cost in official Nintendo service centre.
Good luck with your fix, let me know about other DIY projects I can do with my console.
