Shoulder buttons

[Norco]

Yoo ^_^

From time to time I hear that people are having trouble with the shoulder buttons on their DS. Now this is very common and there is a solution.


The solution: Your breath.
When your shoulder buttons stop working, cover them with your mouth and breath on it.
The moisture in your breath with sharpen the contacts and your shoulder buttons should work again.

This technique is known throughout the DS community as "the kiss of life".

This technique is VERY EFFECTIVE! Whenever the shoulder buttons on my DS stop working I do this and they start working instantly, sometime you might have to click them a few times but that is just common sense.

Hope this small hint helps ^_^

Edit: Few people have pointed out that they had some damage after using this for too long, so use it on your own risk. I personally have used it for over a year on my DS lite and I have not had any problems.

[DoctorShanks]

+1 confirm. My DS lite still works fine and so do its shoulder buttons.

[Norco]

Would be really nice if this could be stickied or mentioned in one of the stickied threads ^_^

[Dragwind]

I can also confirm that I've used this technique numerous times. I agree that it's a good idea to add this thread to the floating sticky for easier reference. Stickied.

[Sinue_v2]

Yeah, it works... for about 10 minutes, at which point it stops functioning again. I've tried the same trick with airduster to no effect, and even taken it apart to attempt to clean the contacts properly. At least in the old fat grey model, the sensors are enclosed in these little black plastic boxes. Besides not being able to get into them to clean them, I can't see where you'd get much direct airflow into them to clean off any dust either.

It's the humidity in your breath that seems to be doing the trick, and while it does work, I'm not that keen on filling up a failing piece of electronics with excess moisture.

If you're not that concerned with possible long-term damage, or plan to upgrade to a 3DS/buy a new DS sometime in the relatively near future, then go for it. If not, then barring a proper fix, my advise would be to simply swap the function of the broken shoulder button to place your pallet swap on a reliable button and then deal with the camera issues by moving it with character positioning. (Obviously this is only applicable to PSZero, and may not work for other games which require both shoulders.)

[Tigus]

Yeah after awhile they stop work all together so just getting them replaced is a good idea my dslights R button has completely shut down and so has the right side of the D-pad (go figure)

[X_LostXcausE_X]

This is actually not a good idea in the long run. Back when I had DS lite, I did this. Sure, the L and R buttons worked, but the moisture buildup was there. Eventually, it started to mess with the system. The screen would wash white in the middle of playing, the system would shut down, etc. Same thing for when I had my DSi.

So far, my 3DS shows no sign of needing this very effective, but high-risk technique.

[Chaos Rappy]

This is actually not a good idea in the long run. Back when I had DS lite, I did this. Sure, the L and R buttons worked, but the moisture buildup was there. Eventually, it started to mess with the system. The screen would wash white in the middle of playing, the system would shut down, etc. Same thing for when I had my DSi.

So far, my 3DS shows no sign of needing this very effective, but high-risk technique.

I can attest to this. I just lost my DSiXL to such, not that long ago... now, at least I have my 3DS, but I don't think I would have HAD to replace it if I didn't try doing this as much as I should have, if I'd have known the long-term risks involved for such. :/

[Norco]

I made a edit in the first post, so no need to point out this risk anymore ^_^

[Shambertin]

sorry to necro but my dsi right shoulder button stopped working i tried this and it works :) thanks for posting this.

edit this works temporarily so its not a perma solution.

[Windancer]

Canned Air Helps restore the shoulder buttons. Blow the dust out with canned air not your breath

[Daixsue]

I tried this for for a looong time and it workedpretty well for good amount of time. I however lifted the trigger compeltely to the point if would snap off (DS LITE) and blew as hard as i could.

Its like the N64 days lol.

But alas, both my triggers are dead now. 3DS timee

[MR_EDU]

The L Button on my DS Lite don't work anymore since months D: but...I buy a DSi XL to keep playing my DS games...soon a 3DS XL who knows...

[sml_psZ]

my dsi xl has been operating perfectly since it came out... i'm not sure how these buttons get screwed up but any way to remove them? a thin coil of copper wire and very very sparing dilectric grease should help... help with MAF sensors on old volvos anyways=)

[Link1275]

my dsi xl has been operating perfectly since it came out... i'm not sure how these buttons get screwed up but any way to remove them? a thin coil of copper wire and very very sparing dilectric grease should help... help with MAF sensors on old volvos anyways=)
A DSI XL, is not a car. Chances are if you go messing around with the circuitry and adding/replacing stuff in it that you are going to break the unit.

[sml_psZ]

A DSI XL, is not a car. Chances are if you go messing around with the circuitry and adding/replacing stuff in it that you are going to break the unit.

If the buttons don't work they are already broken, which would require replacement, correct? I think your thought process may be backwards here.
But I withdraw my suggestion, as the button is removed as an assembly, and can be replaced as such.
I am aware it is not a car, I promise. I have yet to successfully drive this thing anywhere. But circuitry is circuitry, and what is repairable is repairable.

[Link1275]

If the buttons don't work they are already broken, which would require replacement, correct? I think your thought process may be backwards here.
But I withdraw my suggestion, as the button is removed as an assembly, and can be replaced as such.
I am aware it is not a car, I promise. I have yet to successfully drive this thing anywhere. But circuitry is circuitry, and what is repairable is repairable.
My thought process isn't backwards. Yours is. The unit still works and may still be fixed, you go messing with the circuitry and all heck breaks lose... What you need to do is clean the parts of the shoulder buttons, with a dry or non-liquid based aerosol.

[sml_psZ]

ok let me reiterate.
I WITHDRAW MY SUGGESTION, AS THE BUTTON IS REMOVED AS AN ASSEMBLY AND CAN BE REPLACED AS SUCH.
also let me reiterate: my dsi works perfectly.
so think before you tell me what i need to do.
this is simple discussion.

or would you feel better if i just say you're right and thus superior?
i'm not interested in petty argument, or being rude.

[Chaos Rappy]

If you tamper with the hardware, you void your warranty with Nintendo and will not be granted any special limited price for shipped repairs; you will have to buy an entirely new system if you do such, whereas with a DS and above these days, you can still call them about mailing your system in for repairs, even if you do not have a warranty with the store you purchased it.

Nintendo is cool, but they hate when you try to fix it yourself and potentially make matters more complicated.