Nintendo DS (Original) Speaker Replacement Guide

Introduction

In this guide, I'll show you how to replace the speakers in an original Nintendo DS.

Replacing the speakers may help if one or both speakers no longer produce sound, produce distorted or crackling audio, or have become physically damaged.

Unlike a top LCD replacement, the top screen does not need to be removed for this repair. The speakers can be accessed by opening the upper screen housing and removing the speaker daughterboards.

What you'll need

Phillips screwdriver
Plastic pick, spudger or opening tool
Precision tweezers
Replacement speaker or speakers compatible with the original Nintendo DS

Important: Power off the Nintendo DS completely before starting. Take particular care around the ribbon cable connectors inside the upper screen housing, as the connectors and their locking tabs can be easily damaged if forced.

Step 1 – Open the upper screen housing

Open the Nintendo DS and locate the four rubber screw covers positioned around the top screen.
Carefully remove the four rubber covers to expose the Phillips screws underneath.
Remove all four Phillips screws securing the rear section of the upper screen housing.
Use a plastic pick or pry tool to carefully separate and remove the rear section of the upper screen housing.

Important: Work carefully around the edges of the upper housing. Avoid inserting your pry tool too deeply where it could contact the LCD or internal components.

Original Nintendo DS showing the rubber screw covers around the top screen — Remove the rubber covers to expose the screws securing the upper screen housing.

Phillips screws exposed around the top screen of an original Nintendo DS

Plastic pry tool separating the rear section of the Nintendo DS upper screen housing

Original Nintendo DS upper screen housing opened to expose the internal components

Step 2 – Disconnect the speaker daughterboards

Locate the two speaker daughterboards inside the upper screen housing.
Remove the Phillips screw securing each daughterboard.
Carefully lift the black locking tabs on the ribbon cable connectors and disconnect the ribbon cables.
Disconnect the smaller ribbon cable located underneath one of the larger ribbon cables.
Carefully lift both speaker daughterboards out of their positions in the upper housing.

Important: The ribbon cable connectors and their locking tabs are small and fragile. Always release the locking tab before attempting to remove a ribbon cable, and do not use excessive force.

Nintendo DS speaker daughterboards and ribbon cable connections inside the upper screen housing — Remove the screws and carefully disconnect the ribbon cables from the speaker daughterboards.

Ribbon cables being disconnected from the Nintendo DS speaker daughterboards

Speaker daughterboards removed from the upper housing of an original Nintendo DS

Step 3 – Remove the speakers

Locate the left and right speakers on either side of the top LCD.
Use a plastic pick or another thin plastic opening tool to carefully lift the first speaker out of its position in the housing.
Repeat the process for the speaker on the opposite side.
Take note of the orientation of the original speakers before removing them completely.

Tip: There is no need to remove the top LCD for this repair. Work carefully around the display while lifting the speakers from the housing.

Original Nintendo DS speaker being carefully lifted from the upper screen housing — Carefully lift the speakers from their positions beside the top LCD.

Speakers removed from an original Nintendo DS upper screen housing

Step 4 – Install the replacement speakers

Compare the replacement speakers with the originals and make sure they are compatible with the original Nintendo DS.
Position each replacement speaker in the same orientation as the original.
Carefully seat each speaker into its position in the upper housing.
Reinstall the speaker daughterboards.
Reconnect the ribbon cables, making sure each cable is fully inserted before closing its locking tab.
Reinstall the Phillips screw securing each daughterboard.

Important: Make sure the speakers, ribbon cables and daughterboards are correctly positioned before closing the upper housing. Nothing should be trapped between the housing pieces.

Step 5 – Reassemble and test the Nintendo DS

Check that both speakers and daughterboards are correctly positioned inside the upper screen housing.
Refit the rear section of the upper screen housing.
Reinstall the four Phillips screws surrounding the top screen.
Refit the four rubber screw covers.
Power on the Nintendo DS.
Play a game or other audio and confirm that sound is produced clearly from both the left and right speakers.
Adjust the volume control and confirm that the audio level changes correctly.

Tip: If one of the replacement speakers does not work, power off the Nintendo DS before reopening the upper housing and checking the ribbon cable connections.

Conclusion

Replacing the speakers in an original Nintendo DS is a relatively straightforward repair because the speakers can be accessed through the upper screen housing without removing the top LCD.

Take particular care when working with the small ribbon cable connectors on the speaker daughterboards. Once the console is reassembled, test both speakers and the volume control to make sure the replacement speakers are working correctly.