Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Rear Camera Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

Opening Procedure and Battery Disconnect
20 steps
Motherboard EMI Shield Removal
6 steps
Antenna Bracket Removal
4 steps
Rear Camera
5 steps

Flags

BackMicrosoft Surface Pro 7
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

There is a significant chance that you may break the unreinforced and fragile display panel during this procedure. Be sure to apply adequate heat and be extremely careful while slicing through the adhesive. Wear safety glasses in case the glass shatters.

What you need

Step 1

              Tape the screen

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes, and be careful not to damage the LCD screen.
If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.
Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the Surface’s display until the whole face is covered.
This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.
Do your best to follow the rest of the guide as described. However, once the glass is broken, it will likely continue to crack as you work, and you may need to use a metal prying tool to scoop the glass out.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes, and be careful not to damage the LCD screen.

If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.

Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the Surface’s display until the whole face is covered.

This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.

Do your best to follow the rest of the guide as described. However, once the glass is broken, it will likely continue to crack as you work, and you may need to use a metal prying tool to scoop the glass out.

1024

Step 2

              Heat the right edge of the screen

Completely power off the Surface before you begin disassembly.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the Surface’s screen for two minutes.
You may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the tablet warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
A hair dryer or heat gun may also be used for more heat, but be careful not to overheat the Surface—the screen and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.

Completely power off the Surface before you begin disassembly.

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the Surface’s screen for two minutes.

You may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the tablet warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.

A hair dryer or heat gun may also be used for more heat, but be careful not to overheat the Surface—the screen and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.

Step 3

              Take note of the adhesive layout

Take note of the screen adhesive layout before continuing:
These areas only contain adhesive and are safe to cut.
The display board and flex cables sit here close to the edge. Cut carefully and do not insert the pick more than 1/8 inch (3 mm).
Fragile antenna cables lie under this part of the screen. Carefully follow the procedure in step 13 to avoid damaging them. The adhesive is also the thickest here.

Take note of the screen adhesive layout before continuing:

These areas only contain adhesive and are safe to cut.

The display board and flex cables sit here close to the edge. Cut carefully and do not insert the pick more than 1/8 inch (3 mm).

Fragile antenna cables lie under this part of the screen. Carefully follow the procedure in step 13 to avoid damaging them. The adhesive is also the thickest here.

Step 4

              Insert an opening pick into the speaker opening

Insert an opening pick into the speaker opening on the screen and slide the pick between the glass and speaker grille.
Don’t insert the opening pick any deeper than the black bezel on the edge of the screen. Inserting the pick too far may damage the LCD.

Insert an opening pick into the speaker opening on the screen and slide the pick between the glass and speaker grille.

Don’t insert the opening pick any deeper than the black bezel on the edge of the screen. Inserting the pick too far may damage the LCD.

Step 5

              Slide the opening pick under the screen

Rotate the pick toward the bottom of the Surface to slide it underneath the lower edge of the speaker cutout.

Rotate the pick toward the bottom of the Surface to slide it underneath the lower edge of the speaker cutout.

Step 6

              Cut through the screen adhesive

Slide the pick down the right edge of the Surface to slice through the adhesive under the screen.
Throughout the rest of the procedure, if you encounter significant resistance while sliding the pick, stop and reheat the section you’re working on. Applying too much pressure with the pick can crack the glass.
Leave this opening pick in the right edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Slide the pick down the right edge of the Surface to slice through the adhesive under the screen.

Throughout the rest of the procedure, if you encounter significant resistance while sliding the pick, stop and reheat the section you’re working on. Applying too much pressure with the pick can crack the glass.

Leave this opening pick in the right edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 7

Reheat your iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the Surface’s screen for two minutes.
You may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the tablet warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
A hair dryer or heat gun may also be used for more heat, but be careful not to overheat the Surface—the screen and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.

Reheat your iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the Surface’s screen for two minutes.

Step 8

Insert a new opening pick into the bottom right corner and slide it around the corner toward the bottom edge.
Don’t insert the opening pick any deeper than the black bezel on the side of the screen. Inserting the pick too far may damage the LCD.
Slide the pick along the bottom edge of the Surface to cut through the screen adhesive.
Leave this pick in the bottom edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Insert a new opening pick into the bottom right corner and slide it around the corner toward the bottom edge.

Don’t insert the opening pick any deeper than the black bezel on the side of the screen. Inserting the pick too far may damage the LCD.

Slide the pick along the bottom edge of the Surface to cut through the screen adhesive.

Leave this pick in the bottom edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 9

Reheat your iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the Surface’s screen for two minutes.
You may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the tablet warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
A hair dryer or heat gun may also be used for more heat, but be careful not to overheat the Surface—the screen and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.

Reheat your iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the Surface’s screen for two minutes.

Step 10

Insert a new opening pick into the bottom left corner and slide it around the corner toward the left edge.
Be careful cutting under the lower 2.5 inches (65 mm) of the left edge. Do not insert the opening pick more than 1/8 inch (3 mm) here. The display cables sit near this part of the bezel and are easily damaged. Once past the display cable area, do not insert the pick past the bezel.
Slide the pick along the left edge of the Surface to cut through the screen adhesive.
Leave this pick in the left edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Insert a new opening pick into the bottom left corner and slide it around the corner toward the left edge.

Be careful cutting under the lower 2.5 inches (65 mm) of the left edge. Do not insert the opening pick more than 1/8 inch (3 mm) here. The display cables sit near this part of the bezel and are easily damaged. Once past the display cable area, do not insert the pick past the bezel.

Slide the pick along the left edge of the Surface to cut through the screen adhesive.

Leave this pick in the left edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 11

Reheat your iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the Surface’s screen for two minutes.
The adhesive is thickest along this edge, and you may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the tablet warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
A hair dryer or heat gun may also be used for more heat, but be careful not to overheat the Surface—the screen and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.

The adhesive is thickest along this edge, and you may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the tablet warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.

Step 12

Round the left corner with the opening pick and slide it along the top edge of the Surface. Stop when the pick is 2.75 inches (70 mm) away from the left edge.
The next 6 inches (15 cm) of the top edge of the case is covered by the left and right antennas, which sit between the case and the screen bezel. Follow the next steps carefully to avoid damaging the antennas.

Round the left corner with the opening pick and slide it along the top edge of the Surface. Stop when the pick is 2.75 inches (70 mm) away from the left edge.

The next 6 inches (15 cm) of the top edge of the case is covered by the left and right antennas, which sit between the case and the screen bezel. Follow the next steps carefully to avoid damaging the antennas.

Step 13

Fragile antenna cables lie under the top edge of the screen. Carefully follow the procedure to avoid damaging them.
Insert the point of a pick under the display where you just stopped cutting. Do not insert the pick deeper than the edge of the bezel.
Carefully roll the pick to the right, pressing the long edge of the pick into the screen adhesive underneath the bezel, cutting the adhesive as you go. Do not slide the pick along the edge of the Surface.
Repeat this motion of inserting the point of the pick where you just cut, and rolling to the right all along the top edge of the Surface, until the pick is 2.5 inches (64 mm) from the right edge of the Surface.

Fragile antenna cables lie under the top edge of the screen. Carefully follow the procedure to avoid damaging them.

Insert the point of a pick under the display where you just stopped cutting. Do not insert the pick deeper than the edge of the bezel.

Carefully roll the pick to the right, pressing the long edge of the pick into the screen adhesive underneath the bezel, cutting the adhesive as you go. Do not slide the pick along the edge of the Surface.

Repeat this motion of inserting the point of the pick where you just cut, and rolling to the right all along the top edge of the Surface, until the pick is 2.5 inches (64 mm) from the right edge of the Surface.

Step 14

Once you cut the adhesive over the antennas (8.5 inches, or 22 cm, from the left edge), slide the pick the rest of the way along the top edge of the surface and round the top right corner to slice through any remaining adhesive.

Once you cut the adhesive over the antennas (8.5 inches, or 22 cm, from the left edge), slide the pick the rest of the way along the top edge of the surface and round the top right corner to slice through any remaining adhesive.

Step 15

              Open the Surface

Very slowly lift the screen assembly away from the Surface case. If you encounter any resistance, stop and check that all the adhesive is separated.
Do not remove the screen yet. It is still connected to the motherboard by two cables.
Use an opening pick to cut through any remaining adhesive.
The flash lens may fall out of the Surface case. Keep track of the lens and return it to its cutout in the case during reassembly.

Very slowly lift the screen assembly away from the Surface case. If you encounter any resistance, stop and check that all the adhesive is separated.

Do not remove the screen yet. It is still connected to the motherboard by two cables.

Use an opening pick to cut through any remaining adhesive.

The flash lens may fall out of the Surface case. Keep track of the lens and return it to its cutout in the case during reassembly.

Step 16

Make sure you have your tweezers and spudger within reach.
Lift the top of the screen assembly away from the case while sliding the bottom of the screen closer to the motherboard display connectors.
Do not put any tension on the display ribbon cables.
Use one hand to hold the screen still.

Make sure you have your tweezers and spudger within reach.

Lift the top of the screen assembly away from the case while sliding the bottom of the screen closer to the motherboard display connectors.

Do not put any tension on the display ribbon cables.

Use one hand to hold the screen still.

Step 17

              Disconnect the battery

Use the pointed tip of a spudger to carefully push on each side of the battery connector.
Alternating from one side to the other, gently “walk” the connector out of its socket.

Use the pointed tip of a spudger to carefully push on each side of the battery connector.

Alternating from one side to the other, gently “walk” the connector out of its socket.

Step 18

              Disconnect the display cables

Use a pair of tweezers to peel back the silver tape covering the left display cable connector.
Do not remove the tape from the ribbon cable.
Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the tape and pry up on the connector to disconnect it from the motherboard.

Use a pair of tweezers to peel back the silver tape covering the left display cable connector.

Do not remove the tape from the ribbon cable.

Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the tape and pry up on the connector to disconnect it from the motherboard.

Step 19

Use a pair of tweezers to peel back the silver tape securing the right display cable to the motherboard.
Do not remove the tape from the ribbon cable.
Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the right display cable straight up and disconnect it from the motherboard.

Use a pair of tweezers to peel back the silver tape securing the right display cable to the motherboard.

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the right display cable straight up and disconnect it from the motherboard.

Step 20

Remove the screen.
Once you have reached this step during reassembly, follow the screen adhesive replacement guide for the remainder of the repair.

Remove the screen.

Once you have reached this step during reassembly, follow the screen adhesive replacement guide for the remainder of the repair.

Step 21

              Remove the motherboard EMI shield

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 2.4 mm screws securing the EMI shield.

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 2.4 mm screws securing the EMI shield.

Step 22

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel back the three pieces of silver tape adhering the motherboard EMI shield to the copper heatsink.
These pieces of tape can be left on the motherboard EMI shield and do not need to be completely removed.

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel back the three pieces of silver tape adhering the motherboard EMI shield to the copper heatsink.

These pieces of tape can be left on the motherboard EMI shield and do not need to be completely removed.

Step 23

Notice the small arrows surrounding the perimeter of the motherboard EMI shield. These mark the locations of each clip securing the shield to the motherboard.
During reassembly, press down on each of these arrows to make sure the clips are secured.

Notice the small arrows surrounding the perimeter of the motherboard EMI shield. These mark the locations of each clip securing the shield to the motherboard.

During reassembly, press down on each of these arrows to make sure the clips are secured.

Step 24

Be careful not to puncture or deform the battery with your opening tool.
Starting with the clips adjacent to the battery, use an opening tool to carefully pry the motherboard EMI shield straight up from underneath each arrow to disconnect the clips.
Take care to deform the EMI shield as little as possible. It will need to be reused.

Be careful not to puncture or deform the battery with your opening tool.

Starting with the clips adjacent to the battery, use an opening tool to carefully pry the motherboard EMI shield straight up from underneath each arrow to disconnect the clips.

Take care to deform the EMI shield as little as possible. It will need to be reused.

Step 25

Continue using your opening tool to disconnect the clips around the entire perimeter of the motherboard EMI shield.
Take care to deform the EMI shield as little as possible. It will need to be reused.

Continue using your opening tool to disconnect the clips around the entire perimeter of the motherboard EMI shield.

Step 26

Remove the motherboard EMI shield.

Remove the motherboard EMI shield.

Step 27

              Remove the antenna bracket

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the following four screws from the antenna bracket:
Three 4.5 mm screws
One 6 mm screw

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the following four screws from the antenna bracket:

Three 4.5 mm screws

One 6 mm screw

Step 28

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up the connector next to the rear-facing camera and disconnect it.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up the connector next to the rear-facing camera and disconnect it.

Step 29

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up the connector next to the front-facing camera and disconnect it.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up the connector next to the front-facing camera and disconnect it.

Step 30

Remove the antenna bracket.
Remove the remaining unsecured clear plastic light guide and set it aside.

Remove the antenna bracket.

Remove the remaining unsecured clear plastic light guide and set it aside.

Step 31

              Remove the rear camera

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the Hello face camera connector and disconnect it from the motherboard.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the Hello face camera connector and disconnect it from the motherboard.

Step 32

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the front camera ribbon cable off of the rear camera connector.
Do not fold the cable.

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the front camera ribbon cable off of the rear camera connector.

Do not fold the cable.

Step 33

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up on the rear camera connector and disconnect it from the motherboard.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up on the rear camera connector and disconnect it from the motherboard.

Step 34

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 2.6 mm screws securing the rear camera to the case.

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 2.6 mm screws securing the rear camera to the case.

Step 35

Remove the rear camera.

Remove the rear camera.

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 ask our Answers community for help.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

Author

                    Sam Omiotek

Member since: 02/25/2019

55,294 Reputation

                                      288 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       35







                                                        +32 more badges

Team

                       Guide Team                        

                                                  Member of Guide Team 



                    Community                     


                                            10 Members                     


                                            9,216 Guides authored

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team