Playdate Disassembly

This page contains instructions on how to disassemble your playdate, which is useful for gaining access to the buttons so that you might attempt a manual repair.

Preparations

You will need:

• Flat-head screwdriver to remove the outer screws.
• Cross-tip screwdriver to remove the inner screws.
• Thin flat shaped tool for prying plastic taps. People have reported success with guitar plectrums and thin flat-head screwdriver.

You should also discharge any lingering static electricity you might have on your body before touching the playdate, e.g. by touching a water faucet.

To turn playdate power off: unlock the playdate, then hold power button for a few seconds.

Steps

Remove the outer screws.

Back side of console with screws still attached

Back side of console with screws removed

Poke at the plastic tabs to get the back cover to detach.

Top side plastic tab location

Left side plastic tab location

Right side plastic tab location

Bottom side plastic tab location

Opened cover.

Playdate back cover, note the location of the 4 plastic tabs

Console with back side opened

You only need to remove 4 screws to detach the inner tray from the outer shell (3 near the battery, 1 on the left). This allows the motherboard to remain attached to the inner tray. This also makes it easier to preserve the warranty sticker.

Console with back removed

Minimum screws needed to detach the inner tray

Inner tray can be lifted by leveraging from the crank slot. Be careful! The screen is still attached to the outer shell, and there is a ribbon cable connecting the screen to the motherboard. You definitely don't want to disconnect that.

Lifting inner tray from crank slot

Fixing the buttons

Your playdate buttons may or may not come with a bit of plastic that covers the button domes. Those may become shifted out of place or worn off over time, causing the buttons to not travel sufficient distance to cause the domes to register. One fix is to fill the back of buttons with a bit of UV glue to increase its travel distance.

Buttons filled with UV glue

This appears to improve the button response a bit, and may also make them more clicky. This too may eventually wear off over time, and you may have to do this periodically.

References

Repair tips by andyfic: https://discord.com/channels/675983554655551509/980557901712220190/1315397142118137858

Repair experience from hekhound, with pictures of back of buttons: https://discord.com/channels/675983554655551509/980557901712220190/1338629708870320271

Repair experience from Kirkpad, with pictures of nubbins: https://discord.com/channels/675983554655551509/980557901712220190/1435716566707732521