The Article Tells The Story of:
- Nintendo Buries the Battery: The Nintendo Switch 2 hides its battery under layers of strong adhesive, making Nintendo Switch 2 Repairability impossible.
- Joy-Con Drift Isn’t Fixed—It’s Worse: Despite years of complaints, Nintendo kept the same drift-prone joystick tech. Worse yet, replacing the sticks is now harder than before.
- Critical Parts Are Locked Down: iFixit reveals that the charging port, storage, and game card reader are soldered directly to the motherboard—replacements require expert-level repairs.
- Repair Score Drops Even Lower: The original Switch scored a weak 4/10 on iFixit’s scale. The Switch 2 sinks to a 3/10, making it one of the least repairable consoles you can buy.
Teardown Shows Nintendo Switch 2 Repairability Is Harder
The Nintendo Switch 2 includes stronger hardware but has a worse repair design. iFixit recently gave it a low repairability score of 3 out of 10. The original Nintendo Switch already scored low at 4 out of 10, but the new model performs even worse.
The new console adds a faster processor, more RAM, and extra internal storage. But the internal layout and build choices make common repairs difficult or impossible without professional help. iFixit’s teardown revealed several problems with design decisions that block users from doing basic fixes.
Nintendo glued the battery firmly into the case. This adhesive makes battery replacement slow and risky. Users must apply isopropyl alcohol and special tools to remove the battery. During removal, the foam padding often tears, which causes extra damage and mess. This creates a major challenge for users who want to replace a battery that naturally wears down over time.
The battery design limits the product’s lifespan. Most lithium-ion batteries lose performance over time. A battery should be easy to replace, but the Switch 2’s battery setup makes that hard. If you can’t afford professional help, your device may become useless once the battery wears out.
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Joy-Con Issues Continue With No Major Fixes
Nintendo kept the same joystick hardware from the original Switch. Joy-Con drift remains a known issue, and the new model still uses drift-prone technology. iFixit confirmed that the company ignored better joystick alternatives like Hall effect sensors. These alternatives resist drift and last longer, but Nintendo did not include them.
Although the Joy-Cons are easier to open, replacing the joysticks is now harder. This means repair shops and DIY users will face more trouble fixing the controllers. This is especially frustrating since joystick drift was one of the most common complaints about the original Switch. The company had a chance to fix it but kept the same flawed system.
The Switch 2 also hides screws behind fragile stickers. Removing these stickers can void the warranty and makes putting the device back together harder. This shows Nintendo wants to stop users from opening and fixing the console themselves.
Key Components Are Soldered to the Motherboard
iFixit found that several important parts in the Switch 2 are soldered directly to the motherboard. These include the USB-C charging port, the game card reader, and the main storage module. If any of these fail, they cannot be replaced easily. Users will need to swap the entire motherboard or pay for an expensive repair.
This choice blocks easy fixes and raises repair costs. In older designs, you could remove and replace damaged parts without touching the motherboard. In the Switch 2, even minor failures might require full motherboard replacement.
Nintendo also uses many different screws and hidden fasteners inside the console. This makes disassembly harder and increases the chance of user damage. iFixit warned that some screws are buried under adhesive or hidden from view. Users without the right tools will find it nearly impossible to disassemble and repair the console safely.
Nintendo Switch 2 Scores Just 3/10 in Repairability
iFixit rated the Nintendo Switch 2 with a 3 out of 10 on its repairability scale. This is worse than the already-poor score of 4 given to the original Nintendo Switch. The low score reflects the glued-in battery, drift-prone joystick design, soldered parts, and hidden screws.
The teardown suggests Nintendo is not interested in making repair-friendly products. The Switch 2’s design blocks users from doing basic maintenance like battery swaps or joystick fixes. These decisions may reduce the device’s lifespan and force more people to pay for official repairs.
If your Nintendo Switch 2 breaks, iFixit recommends going to Nintendo or an authorized repair shop. DIY repair attempts could damage the device further. The battery, joystick, and mainboard are all risky or difficult to repair without special tools and experience.
Read More About Our Article of Nintendo Switch 2 Revealed: What We Know So Far Published on  January 18, 2025 SquaredTech
Conclusion
The Nintendo Switch 2 may deliver better gaming performance, but it sacrifices repairability. iFixit’s teardown shows the console is harder to fix than the original model. Batteries are glued in. Joysticks still suffer from drift. Key parts are soldered to the board. And hidden screws make disassembly harder than necessary.
These design choices raise long-term costs for users. They also limit the product’s lifespan and make it harder to reduce e-waste. The low repairability score of 3 out of 10 confirms that the Nintendo Switch 2 is not a user-friendly device when it comes to fixing problems.
If you own a Switch 2 and face issues, it is safer to seek help from Nintendo or licensed professionals. Trying to fix it yourself could lead to bigger problems and even permanent damage.
