Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15 Headphone Jack Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

Feet
6 steps
Upper Case
5 steps
SSD
2 steps
Heatsink and Fan
10 steps
Motherboard
17 steps
Headphone Jack
2 steps

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BackMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch)
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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Flip the device over

Flip the laptop over and place it on your work surface, feet facing up.

Flip the laptop over and place it on your work surface, feet facing up.

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Step 2

              Removal tip

The feet on the bottom of the laptop are meant to be removed with the pointed end of a spudger.
Each foot has a hidden indent that will simplify removal.
To make sure the spudger is in the indent, insert it at the nearest long edge, pushing parallel to the short edges of the laptop, as shown.
Note that the two feet near the rear (screen) edge are different than the two front feet.

The feet on the bottom of the laptop are meant to be removed with the pointed end of a spudger.

Each foot has a hidden indent that will simplify removal.

To make sure the spudger is in the indent, insert it at the nearest long edge, pushing parallel to the short edges of the laptop, as shown.

Note that the two feet near the rear (screen) edge are different than the two front feet.

Step 3

              Remove the rear feet

Insert the pointed end of a spudger underneath one of the two rear feet, at its rear edge.
Push the spudger underneath the foot and pry up to release it.
The two rear feet are secured with some light adhesive.
Repeat to remove the second rear foot.

Insert the pointed end of a spudger underneath one of the two rear feet, at its rear edge.

Push the spudger underneath the foot and pry up to release it.

The two rear feet are secured with some light adhesive.

Repeat to remove the second rear foot.

Step 4

              Remove the front feet

Insert the pointed end of a spudger underneath one of the two front feet, at its front edge.
Push the spudger underneath the foot and pry up to release it.
The two front feet are secured with plastic clips as well as light adhesive.
Repeat to remove the second front foot.

Insert the pointed end of a spudger underneath one of the two front feet, at its front edge.

The two front feet are secured with plastic clips as well as light adhesive.

Repeat to remove the second front foot.

Step 5

              Reassembly tip

During reassembly:
Note that the front and rear feet are different.
Note that the front feet are directional and only clip in one way.

During reassembly:

Note that the front and rear feet are different.

Note that the front feet are directional and only clip in one way.

Step 6

              Reassembly tip

In place of reusing old, worn out feet on your device, 8 mm rubber furniture pads can be a good substitute.
Peel a pad away from its backing, align it over a foot cavity, and press to secure.

In place of reusing old, worn out feet on your device, 8 mm rubber furniture pads can be a good substitute.

Peel a pad away from its backing, align it over a foot cavity, and press to secure.

Step 7

              Remove the upper case screws

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the four 3 mm screws in the foot cavities securing the upper case to the device.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your laptop.
During reassembly, don’t over-tighten these screws—they strip easily.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the four 3 mm screws in the foot cavities securing the upper case to the device.

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your laptop.

During reassembly, don’t over-tighten these screws—they strip easily.

Step 8

              Open the display

Flip the device over.
Open the display as far as it will go.

Flip the device over.

Open the display as far as it will go.

Step 9

              Lift up the upper case

The upper case is secured in place by magnets.
Grip the top edge of upper case above the keyboard and lift straight up to release it.
Don’t try to completely remove the upper case just yet, as it’s still connected to the rest of the laptop.
Lift the front edge of the upper case up and away from the laptop, taking care to not strain the keyboard and touchpad ribbon cable underneath.
During reassembly, lower the upper case onto the lower case until the magnets snap into place and it lays flat.
Check that the upper case sits flush around the entire perimeter. Any gaps between the upper and lower case near the display could cause damage to the display as it closes.

The upper case is secured in place by magnets.

Grip the top edge of upper case above the keyboard and lift straight up to release it.

Don’t try to completely remove the upper case just yet, as it’s still connected to the rest of the laptop.

Lift the front edge of the upper case up and away from the laptop, taking care to not strain the keyboard and touchpad ribbon cable underneath.

During reassembly, lower the upper case onto the lower case until the magnets snap into place and it lays flat.

Check that the upper case sits flush around the entire perimeter. Any gaps between the upper and lower case near the display could cause damage to the display as it closes.

Step 10

              Disconnect the ribbon cable

The keyboard and touchpad ribbon cable is secured in place by a magnet connector.
On some models, this connector is surrounded by black tape.
Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath one edge of the ribbon cable connector, and pry up to release it.
Remove the ribbon cable from the motherboard.

The keyboard and touchpad ribbon cable is secured in place by a magnet connector.

On some models, this connector is surrounded by black tape.

Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath one edge of the ribbon cable connector, and pry up to release it.

Remove the ribbon cable from the motherboard.

Step 11

              Remove the upper case

Remove the upper case.
Set the upper case onto a clean surface, keyboard-side down.
Ensure the ribbon cable lays flat, and isn’t twisted or stressed.

Remove the upper case.

Set the upper case onto a clean surface, keyboard-side down.

Ensure the ribbon cable lays flat, and isn’t twisted or stressed.

Step 12

              Remove the SSD screw

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 2.7 mm screw securing the SSD.
Removing the SSD also functions as a battery disconnect and should be performed before all major repairs.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 2.7 mm screw securing the SSD.

Removing the SSD also functions as a battery disconnect and should be performed before all major repairs.

Step 13

              Remove the SSD

With the SSD screw removed, the SSD will pop up at a shallow angle.
Grip the end of the SSD and pull it away from its board connector to remove it.
During reassembly, insert the SSD at a shallow angle into its board connector, and secure it back into its horizontal position with the SSD screw.

With the SSD screw removed, the SSD will pop up at a shallow angle.

Grip the end of the SSD and pull it away from its board connector to remove it.

During reassembly, insert the SSD at a shallow angle into its board connector, and secure it back into its horizontal position with the SSD screw.

Step 14

              Remove the tape

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the two pieces of black tape covering the bottom left and bottom right corners of the motherboard.
During reassembly, if the tape is sticky enough to be reused, reapply it.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the two pieces of black tape covering the bottom left and bottom right corners of the motherboard.

During reassembly, if the tape is sticky enough to be reused, reapply it.

Step 15

              Remove the heatsink shield

Use an opening tool to pry up the front edge of the metal shield covering the heatsink.
Try not to deform the shield too much—you’ll need to reinstall it during reassembly.

Use an opening tool to pry up the front edge of the metal shield covering the heatsink.

Try not to deform the shield too much—you’ll need to reinstall it during reassembly.

Step 16

Work your way around the perimeter of the shield, prying up intermittently, until you can remove it completely.

Work your way around the perimeter of the shield, prying up intermittently, until you can remove it completely.

Step 17

Remove the heatsink shield.

Remove the heatsink shield.

Step 18

              Disconnect the cooling fan

Use the pointed end of a spudger to flip up the locking flap on the fan cable’s ZIF connector.
Use a pair of tweezers to pull the fan cable straight out of the connector.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to flip up the locking flap on the fan cable’s ZIF connector.

Use a pair of tweezers to pull the fan cable straight out of the connector.

Step 19

              Remove the heatsink screws

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the ten screws securing the heatsink:
Two 2.5 mm screws
Three 2.0 mm screws
One 3.0 mm screw
Two 4.1 mm screws
Two 3.4 mm screws

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the ten screws securing the heatsink:

Two 2.5 mm screws

Three 2.0 mm screws

One 3.0 mm screw

Two 4.1 mm screws

Two 3.4 mm screws

Step 20

              Reassembly tip

During reassembly:
Align the heatsink with the centering peg on the motherboard.
Tighten the four CPU tension screws in an “X” pattern.

Align the heatsink with the centering peg on the motherboard.

Tighten the four CPU tension screws in an “X” pattern.

Step 21

              Clear the alignment peg

Use the tip of your finger to lift the far right edge of the heatsink up and off of the small alignment peg near the right side of the fan on the lower case.
Once the heatsink has cleared the peg, lightly pull the right edge towards the front of the device.

Use the tip of your finger to lift the far right edge of the heatsink up and off of the small alignment peg near the right side of the fan on the lower case.

Once the heatsink has cleared the peg, lightly pull the right edge towards the front of the device.

Step 22

              Remove the heatsink

Remove the heatsink.
If the heatsink feels stuck to the CPU, gently wiggle it side-to-side to separate it from the thermal paste holding it down.
Don’t pull on the heatsink too hard; the heat pipes are susceptible to creasing.

Remove the heatsink.

If the heatsink feels stuck to the CPU, gently wiggle it side-to-side to separate it from the thermal paste holding it down.

Don’t pull on the heatsink too hard; the heat pipes are susceptible to creasing.

Step 23

              Reapply thermal paste

Before reinstalling the heatsink, follow this guide to clean the heatsink and CPU and reapply thermal paste.

Before reinstalling the heatsink, follow this guide to clean the heatsink and CPU and reapply thermal paste.

Step 24

              Remove the motherboard shields

Some motherboard screws are located under two of the metal shields, both of which need to be removed.
Use an opening tool to pry up an edge of the metal shield covering the right side of the motherboard.
Try not to deform the shield too much—you will need to reinstall it during reassembly.
Work your way around the perimeter of the shield, prying up intermittently, until you can remove it completely.
Remove the shield.

Some motherboard screws are located under two of the metal shields, both of which need to be removed.

Use an opening tool to pry up an edge of the metal shield covering the right side of the motherboard.

Try not to deform the shield too much—you will need to reinstall it during reassembly.

Remove the shield.

Step 25

Repeat the previous step to remove the second shield from the left side of the motherboard, closest to the CPU.

Repeat the previous step to remove the second shield from the left side of the motherboard, closest to the CPU.

Step 26

              Disconnect the right speaker

Use the pointed end of a spudger to lift and disconnect the right speaker wire from its connector on the motherboard.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to lift and disconnect the right speaker wire from its connector on the motherboard.

Step 27

              Disconnect the Surface Connect port

Use an opening tool to flip open the gold locking arm on the Surface Connect port’s motherboard connector.

Use an opening tool to flip open the gold locking arm on the Surface Connect port’s motherboard connector.

Step 28

Grip the Surface Connect port cable and pull it away from its connector to remove it.

Grip the Surface Connect port cable and pull it away from its connector to remove it.

Step 29

              Disconnect the left speaker

Use the pointed end of a spudger to lift and disconnect the left speaker wire from its connector on the motherboard.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to lift and disconnect the left speaker wire from its connector on the motherboard.

Step 30

              Remove the display connector shields

Use an opening tool to pry up the black shield covering the right bank of display connectors.
Try not to deform the shield too much—you will need to reinstall it during reassembly.
Repeat at different points around the shield until it becomes loose.
Remove the shield.

Use an opening tool to pry up the black shield covering the right bank of display connectors.

Repeat at different points around the shield until it becomes loose.

Step 31

Repeat the previous step to remove the remaining shield from the left bank of display connectors.

Repeat the previous step to remove the remaining shield from the left bank of display connectors.

Step 32

              Disconnect the display cables

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the first display cable up and out of its socket on the motherboard to disconnect it.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the first display cable up and out of its socket on the motherboard to disconnect it.

Step 33

Disconnect the three remaining display connectors.

Disconnect the three remaining display connectors.

Step 34

              Reassembly tip

During reassembly, use the flat end of a spudger to gently push the display cables back into their cavity in the lower case.

During reassembly, use the flat end of a spudger to gently push the display cables back into their cavity in the lower case.

Step 35

              Disconnect the antenna cable

Use a pair of tweezers to grip the antenna cable close to its base.
Pull straight up to disconnect the cable.

Use a pair of tweezers to grip the antenna cable close to its base.

Pull straight up to disconnect the cable.

Step 36

              Remove the motherboard bracket

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 3 mm screws securing the motherboard bracket.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 3 mm screws securing the motherboard bracket.

Step 37

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the motherboard bracket.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the motherboard bracket.

Step 38

              Remove the motherboard screws

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the six 2 mm screws securing the motherboard.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the six 2 mm screws securing the motherboard.

Step 39

              Remove the motherboard

Use your fingers to lift and remove the motherboard.
If the motherboard feels stuck, slide the motherboard to the right so the I/O ports clear their cutouts on the chassis.
Ensure the two screwpost braces underneath the motherboard don’t get lost during removal.

Use your fingers to lift and remove the motherboard.

If the motherboard feels stuck, slide the motherboard to the right so the I/O ports clear their cutouts on the chassis.

Ensure the two screwpost braces underneath the motherboard don’t get lost during removal.

Step 40

              Check cables during reassembly

When you reinstall the motherboard, verify that no cables get trapped under the board as you lower it into place. Check each of the five locations carefully:
Four display cables
Antenna cable
Left speaker cable
Surface Connect cable
Right speaker cable

When you reinstall the motherboard, verify that no cables get trapped under the board as you lower it into place. Check each of the five locations carefully:

Four display cables

Antenna cable

Left speaker cable

Surface Connect cable

Right speaker cable

Step 41

              Remove the headphone jack screw

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 2.6 mm screw securing the headphone jack.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 2.6 mm screw securing the headphone jack.

Step 42

              Remove the headphone jack

Use a pair of tweezers to lift the headphone jack up and over its screw peg.
Pull the headphone jack away from the edge of the chassis to remove it.

Use a pair of tweezers to lift the headphone jack up and over its screw peg.

Pull the headphone jack away from the edge of the chassis to remove it.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting or search our Answers community for help.

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Author

                    Carsten Frauenheim

Member since: 03/10/2020

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What you need#

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