Nexus 7 Upper Microphone Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 19 Steps
The Nexus 7 is equipped with a dynamic duo of microphones that work together to filter out background noise, helping your voice commands come through crystal clear. If you’re dealing with a faulty microphone, it can be quite frustrating. But don’t worry! Follow this guide to easily replace that upper microphone and get back to chatting away without a hitch!
Step 1
Be gentle when prying those clips, they’re fragile little guys that break easier than a soggy cracker.
Now it’s time to pop off those clips (marked in red) around the edge of the Nexus 7’s back panel. Just take it one clip at a time—you’re doing great!
Step 2
– Slide a plastic opening tool gently into the gap at the top of the Nexus 7, right between the rear panel and the front panel assembly. We’re just getting started!
– Carefully glide that trusty tool along the top edge to pop the rear panel away from the front panel assembly of the Nexus 7. You’ve got this!
Step 3
– Gently slide your trusty plastic opening tool between the rear panel and the front panel assembly, right around the power button area. Give it a little nudge upwards at various spots along the right edge of your Nexus 7. You’re doing great!
Step 4
– Slide your pry tool along the left edge and gently pop off the rear panel like you’re unveiling a secret compartment. Use the technique from earlier steps for smooth sailing.
Step 5
– Carefully pop the rear panel off the front panel—it’s like opening a stubborn jar, but you got this!
Step 6
– Grab the pointy end of your trusty spudger and give the battery cable a friendly nudge—first on one side, then the other. Keep ‘walking’ it gently until it slides straight out of its little socket on the motherboard.
Tools Used
Step 7
Leave the copper shielding where it is – it’s still hanging out underneath the battery and doesn’t need any attention from you right now!
– Gently peel back the copper ESD shield that’s covering the bottom of the motherboard. Be careful not to damage it.
– If you’re just swapping out the micro USB charging port, there’s no need to peel back the copper heatsink like shown in the photo. Simply unscrew the speaker assembly and move it aside. If you’re replacing the speakers, just peel back the bottom corner to access the speaker connection. The rest of the heatsink shield can stay in place.
Step 8
– Take a spudger (your trusty sidekick), and gently nudge that speaker cable out of its socket on the motherboard. Just a little push will do the trick—think of it as sending it off on a short vacation!
Tools Used
Step 9
– Gently lift the label hiding the ZIF connector for the power and volume buttons. You’ve got this—time to uncover what’s beneath!
Step 10
Hey, just a heads-up: when lifting the retaining flap, make sure you’re flipping up the flap itself—not tugging at the socket!
– Take your spudger and gently lift up the retaining flap on the ZIF socket for the power and volume button ribbon cable—easy does it, no rush!
– Now, use the spudger to slide the ribbon cable straight out of its socket like a pro. Boom, you’re one step closer!
Tools Used
Step 11
– Gently lift and peel away the sticky tape that’s covering the I/O board ribbon cable socket on the motherboard—like unwrapping a hidden treasure!
Step 12
Be sure to lift up the retaining flap—don’t yank on the socket itself. Trust me, your future self will thank you!
– Alright, grab your trusty spudger and gently flip up the retaining flap on the I/O data ribbon cable ZIF socket. Take your time—no rush, you’re doing great!
– Now, use the spudger to slide the I/O data ribbon cable straight out of the socket. Smooth moves and a steady hand will get the job done!
Tools Used
Step 13
You don’t have to go all out and remove the adhesive completely. Just folding it back on itself will do the trick to keep it out of your way while you work your magic.
– Gently peel off the adhesive tape that’s securing the display and digitizer cable sockets. Take your time, no rush! The cables will be ready to do their thing once the tape is out of the way.
Step 14
– Grab the flat end of your spudger and gently work it under the display data cable, lifting it straight up and off the motherboard socket. No need to rush—just take your time and let it come loose!
Tools Used
Step 15
Heads-up: remember to lift the retaining flaps gently and confidently—don’t mess with the sockets themselves. It’s an easy misstep, but you’re totally nailing this!
– Grab your trusty spudger and gently lift up those little retaining flaps on the digitizer ribbon cable ZIF sockets. We’re almost there!
– Now, with the tip of your spudger, give that digitizer ribbon cable a nice, straight pull right out of its socket. You’ve got this!
Tools Used
Step 16
– Gently pry off those warranty seal stickers using the tip of a spudger. You’ve got this!
Tools Used
Step 17
– Let’s get started by removing the screws that hold the motherboard in place to the metal frame. You’ll need to take out:
– Six 3.25 mm silver Phillips screws – these are the ones that keep everything snug
– One 2.23 mm black Phillips screw – don’t miss this tiny one!
Step 18
– Gently hoist the motherboard assembly up and out of the Nexus 7—watch out for any sneaky cables trying to hold on for dear life!
Step 19
– Carefully lift the upper microphone straight up and off its socket on the back of the motherboard. Take it easy, it should come off smoothly.
