Microsoft Surface Pro X Front Camera Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

SSD and SIM Card Door
3 steps
SSD
2 steps
Microsoft Surface Pro X Opening Procedure
10 steps
Screen
9 steps
Heat Sink
9 steps
Foam Adhesive Strip
1 step
Front Camera Shield
6 steps
Camera Foam Strip
1 step
Microsoft Surface Pro X Front Camera Disconnection
1 step
Microsoft Surface Pro X Sensor Bar Lift
4 steps
Front Camera
3 steps

Flags

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Introduction

Warning: Make sure to remove the SSD from the Surface before starting any repairs. This will disconnect the battery and prevent damage to the Surface.

For this repair, you’ll need to apply new thermal paste to the CPU during reassembly. Make sure you have new thermal paste and either high-concentration isopropyl alcohol or a specialized thermal paste cleaner.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your Surface. This reduces the risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

What you need

Step 1

              Open the kickstand

Make sure your Surface Pro X is turned off, and laying screen-side down on a soft surface.
After turning off your device, make sure to remove the SSD from the Surface before starting any repairs. This will disconnect the battery and prevent damage to the device.
Lift the kickstand to at least a 90° angle, so that it is perpendicular to the Surface’s screen. The further you open the hinge, the easier it is to access the SSD and SIM card door.

Make sure your Surface Pro X is turned off, and laying screen-side down on a soft surface.

After turning off your device, make sure to remove the SSD from the Surface before starting any repairs. This will disconnect the battery and prevent damage to the device.

Lift the kickstand to at least a 90° angle, so that it is perpendicular to the Surface’s screen. The further you open the hinge, the easier it is to access the SSD and SIM card door.

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Step 2

              Open the SSD and SIM card door

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the bottom right corner of the SSD and SIM card door, located near the bottom right corner of the Surface.
Press firmly to open the door.

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the bottom right corner of the SSD and SIM card door, located near the bottom right corner of the Surface.

Press firmly to open the door.

Step 3

              Remove the SSD and SIM card door

Lift the SSD and SIM card door and remove it from the Surface.
When reinstalling the door, first insert the end of the door with the small tab into the Surface just above the SSD, then lay the rest of the door down.

Lift the SSD and SIM card door and remove it from the Surface.

When reinstalling the door, first insert the end of the door with the small tab into the Surface just above the SSD, then lay the rest of the door down.

Step 4

              Remove the SSD screw

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the 2.4 mm screw securing the SSD.

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the 2.4 mm screw securing the SSD.

Step 5

              Remove the SSD

Use your finger or a spudger to lift the SSD just enough that it clears the edges of its recess.
Don’t lift the SSD more than you have to—doing so may damage the SSD or its socket.
Gently pull the SSD straight out of its socket.
When reinstalling the SSD, be sure it is properly seated before reinstalling its retaining screw.

Use your finger or a spudger to lift the SSD just enough that it clears the edges of its recess.

Don’t lift the SSD more than you have to—doing so may damage the SSD or its socket.

Gently pull the SSD straight out of its socket.

When reinstalling the SSD, be sure it is properly seated before reinstalling its retaining screw.

Step 6

              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.

Step 7

              Apply a suction cup to the screen

Wear safety glasses during the screen removal procedure in case the glass shatters while you’re working.
There is a significant chance that you may break the unreinforced and fragile display panel during this procedure. Be sure to work slowly and be extremely careful while slicing through the adhesive.
Place your tablet on your work surface so that the screen is facing up.
Apply a suction cup to the screen next to the right speaker grille.

Wear safety glasses during the screen removal procedure in case the glass shatters while you’re working.

There is a significant chance that you may break the unreinforced and fragile display panel during this procedure. Be sure to work slowly and be extremely careful while slicing through the adhesive.

Place your tablet on your work surface so that the screen is facing up.

Apply a suction cup to the screen next to the right speaker grille.

Step 8

              Secure the tablet

Place your hand on the screen next to the suction cup to secure the Surface while you lift up the screen.

Place your hand on the screen next to the suction cup to secure the Surface while you lift up the screen.

Step 9

              Create a gap between the screen and frame

Don’t insert the opening pick more than 3 mm while cutting through the adhesive on the right, bottom, and left edge.
Lift up on the suction cup to create a gap between the screen and the frame.
The gap only needs to be wide enough to slide in an opening pick.
Insert an opening pick about 2 mm into the gap. Leave the opening pick in the gap to prevent it from resealing.

Don’t insert the opening pick more than 3 mm while cutting through the adhesive on the right, bottom, and left edge.

Lift up on the suction cup to create a gap between the screen and the frame.

The gap only needs to be wide enough to slide in an opening pick.

Insert an opening pick about 2 mm into the gap. Leave the opening pick in the gap to prevent it from resealing.

Step 10

              Cut through the screen adhesive

Insert a second opening pick into the gap between the screen and the frame.
Slide the pick down the right edge of the Surface to slice through the adhesive under the screen.
Leave this opening pick in the right edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Insert a second opening pick into the gap between the screen and the frame.

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

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

Step 11

Don’t insert the pick more than 3 mm while cutting through the screen adhesive on the bottom edge or you may damage delicate components on the screen.
Insert a third opening pick into the bottom right corner and slide it around the corner toward the bottom edge.

Don’t insert the pick more than 3 mm while cutting through the screen adhesive on the bottom edge or you may damage delicate components on the screen.

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

Step 12

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.

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 13

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

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 14

Don’t insert the opening pick more than 10 mm while cutting through the adhesive on the top edge. Don’t insert the pick more than 3 mm near the speaker grille.
Insert a fifth opening pick into the top left corner and slide it around the corner toward the top edge.
Slide the pick along the top edge of the Surface to cut through the screen adhesive.

Don’t insert the opening pick more than 10 mm while cutting through the adhesive on the top edge. Don’t insert the pick more than 3 mm near the speaker grille.

Insert a fifth opening pick into the top left corner and slide it around the corner toward the top edge.

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

Step 15

              Open the Surface

Do not remove the screen yet. It is still connected to the motherboard by the display cable. Keep the screen as close as possible to the Surface’s frame to avoid straining the display cable.
Avoid hitting the battery with the screen during this procedure. A punctured or bent battery may leak dangerous chemicals or cause a thermal event.
Lift up the top edge of the screen so that it is at a 30° angle with the frame.
If you encounter any resistance, stop and check that all the adhesive is separated. Use an opening pick to cut through any remaining adhesive.
Rotate the screen so that its bottom edge is in the middle of the frame. The screen should be perpendicular to the frame.
Rotate the screen 90° so that it is facing down. Place the screen on the frame.

Do not remove the screen yet. It is still connected to the motherboard by the display cable. Keep the screen as close as possible to the Surface’s frame to avoid straining the display cable.

Avoid hitting the battery with the screen during this procedure. A punctured or bent battery may leak dangerous chemicals or cause a thermal event.

Lift up the top edge of the screen so that it is at a 30° angle with the frame.

If you encounter any resistance, stop and check that all the adhesive is separated. Use an opening pick to cut through any remaining adhesive.

Rotate the screen so that its bottom edge is in the middle of the frame. The screen should be perpendicular to the frame.

Rotate the screen 90° so that it is facing down. Place the screen on the frame.

Step 16

              Remove the display cable shield

Insert a tine of a pair of pointed tweezers under the bottom right corner of the display cable shield (where the display cable is oriented down).
Lift up the corner to detach it from the screen.

Insert a tine of a pair of pointed tweezers under the bottom right corner of the display cable shield (where the display cable is oriented down).

Lift up the corner to detach it from the screen.

Step 17

Repeat the previous step for the bottom right corner.

Repeat the previous step for the bottom right corner.

Step 18

Remove the display cable shield from the screen.
If the display cable shield isn’t completely detached from the screen, pry up additional areas around the edges of the shield.

Remove the display cable shield from the screen.

If the display cable shield isn’t completely detached from the screen, pry up additional areas around the edges of the shield.

Step 19

              Disconnect the screen

Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the right side of the display cable press connector.
Lift up the right side of the press connector to detach it from the display cable socket on the screen.

Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the right side of the display cable press connector.

Lift up the right side of the press connector to detach it from the display cable socket on the screen.

Step 20

Repeat the previous step on the left side of the display cable connector to fully disconnect it from the screen.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Repeat the previous step on the left side of the display cable connector to fully disconnect it from the screen.

To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 21

              Remove the screen

Remove the screen from the frame.

Remove the screen from the frame.

Step 22

              Speaker grille information

The left and right speaker grilles may be attached to the Surface’s frame or the screen.
If you are going to replace a speaker grille that is attached to the frame, follow these steps to remove it:
Use an opening pick to cut through the adhesive under the grille.
Remove the speaker grille.
Repeat for the other speaker grille.

The left and right speaker grilles may be attached to the Surface’s frame or the screen.

If you are going to replace a speaker grille that is attached to the frame, follow these steps to remove it:

Use an opening pick to cut through the adhesive under the grille.

Remove the speaker grille.

Repeat for the other speaker grille.

Step 23

If you are going to replace or transfer a speaker grille that is attached to the screen, follow these steps to remove it:
Use an opening pick to cut through the adhesive under the grille.
Remove the speaker grille.
Repeat for the other speaker grille.

If you are going to replace or transfer a speaker grille that is attached to the screen, follow these steps to remove it:

Step 24

              Screen adhesive information

If you are going to replace the screen adhesive, follow these steps:
Apply a few drops of high-concentration (90% or higher) isopropyl alcohol to the adhesive.
Use a cotton swab or the flat end of a spudger to scrape away the adhesive.
Use a lint-free cloth or coffee filter to wipe away any remaining adhesive.
Allow the surface to dry completely before applying replacement adhesive.
Apply new adhesive strips or pre-cut adhesive to the frame where the old screen adhesive was located.

If you are going to replace the screen adhesive, follow these steps:

Apply a few drops of high-concentration (90% or higher) isopropyl alcohol to the adhesive.

Use a cotton swab or the flat end of a spudger to scrape away the adhesive.

Use a lint-free cloth or coffee filter to wipe away any remaining adhesive.

Allow the surface to dry completely before applying replacement adhesive.

Apply new adhesive strips or pre-cut adhesive to the frame where the old screen adhesive was located.

Step 25

              Remove the heat sink sticker

If you are going to reinstall this sticker during reassembly, try to keep it as intact as possible.
Lift up the edge of the heat sink sticker closest to the bottom edge of the Surface.

If you are going to reinstall this sticker during reassembly, try to keep it as intact as possible.

Lift up the edge of the heat sink sticker closest to the bottom edge of the Surface.

Step 26

Lift up the center of the sticker.

Lift up the center of the sticker.

Step 27

Lift up one side of the sticker attached to the heat sink.
Repeat for the other side. The sticker should now be fully detached.
Remove the sticker.

Lift up one side of the sticker attached to the heat sink.

Repeat for the other side. The sticker should now be fully detached.

Remove the sticker.

Step 28

              Remove the screw stickers

If you are going to reinstall these stickers during reassembly, try to keep them as intact as possible. These stickers can tear easily during removal.
Use an opening tool to lift up the edge of one of the small black stickers covering the four screws in the center of the heat sink.
You only need to lift the edge enough to grip it with tweezers.

If you are going to reinstall these stickers during reassembly, try to keep them as intact as possible. These stickers can tear easily during removal.

Use an opening tool to lift up the edge of one of the small black stickers covering the four screws in the center of the heat sink.

You only need to lift the edge enough to grip it with tweezers.

Step 29

Use a pair of blunt tweezers to remove the sticker covering the heat sink screw.
Repeat this process for the other three stickers.

Use a pair of blunt tweezers to remove the sticker covering the heat sink screw.

Repeat this process for the other three stickers.

Step 30

              Remove the heat sink screws

Remove the 14 screws securing the heat sink:
Eight 2.2 mm T3 Torx screws
One 2.0 mm T3 Torx screw
One 3.2 mm T3 Torx screw
Four 2.5 mm T6 screws

Remove the 14 screws securing the heat sink:

Eight 2.2 mm T3 Torx screws

One 2.0 mm T3 Torx screw

One 3.2 mm T3 Torx screw

Four 2.5 mm T6 screws

Step 31

              Remove the heat sink

The heat sink is adhered to the CPU with thermal paste.
Insert an opening pick about 2 mm under the heat sink at its bottom edge directly to the left of the display cable.
The opening pick should be between the heat sink and the frame surrounding the motherboard.
Slide the opening pick to the left toward the heat pipe to detach the heat sink from the CPU.

The heat sink is adhered to the CPU with thermal paste.

Insert an opening pick about 2 mm under the heat sink at its bottom edge directly to the left of the display cable.

The opening pick should be between the heat sink and the frame surrounding the motherboard.

Slide the opening pick to the left toward the heat pipe to detach the heat sink from the CPU.

Step 32

Swing the bottom edge of the heat sink up so that it is at about a 10° angle with the frame.

Swing the bottom edge of the heat sink up so that it is at about a 10° angle with the frame.

Step 33

Rotate the heat sink about 10° clockwise so that it can be removed from the foam adhesive strip covering the top left screw hole.
Remove the heat sink from the Surface.
During reassembly, slide the heat sink’s top left screw hole under the foam adhesive strip.
Before reinstalling your heat sink, make sure to properly clean the heat sink and CPU, and apply new thermal paste.

Rotate the heat sink about 10° clockwise so that it can be removed from the foam adhesive strip covering the top left screw hole.

Remove the heat sink from the Surface.

During reassembly, slide the heat sink’s top left screw hole under the foam adhesive strip.

Before reinstalling your heat sink, make sure to properly clean the heat sink and CPU, and apply new thermal paste.

Step 34

              Remove the foam adhesive

Remove the foam adhesive strip from the Surface.

Remove the foam adhesive strip from the Surface.

Step 35

              Remove the front camera shield

Insert one tine of a pair of pointed tweezers under one corner of the shield covering the front camera connector.
Lift up the corner to detach it from the frame.
If you are going to reuse this shield, try to avoid excessively bending it during removal.

Insert one tine of a pair of pointed tweezers under one corner of the shield covering the front camera connector.

Lift up the corner to detach it from the frame.

If you are going to reuse this shield, try to avoid excessively bending it during removal.

Step 36

Repeat the previous step for the other three corners of the shield.

Repeat the previous step for the other three corners of the shield.

Step 37

Slide one tine of a pair of pointed tweezers under the left edge of the shield to further detach it from the frame.
Repeat this for the right edge of the shield.

Slide one tine of a pair of pointed tweezers under the left edge of the shield to further detach it from the frame.

Repeat this for the right edge of the shield.

Step 38

Slide one tine of a pair of pointed tweezers under the bottom left edge of the shield to further detach it from the frame.
Repeat for the bottom right edge.

Slide one tine of a pair of pointed tweezers under the bottom left edge of the shield to further detach it from the frame.

Repeat for the bottom right edge.

Step 39

Insert one tine of a pair of pointed tweezers into the divot in one of the tabs on the bottom edge of the shield.
You could also insert the tine under the bottom edge of the shield.
Lift up the bottom edge to detach it from the frame.

Insert one tine of a pair of pointed tweezers into the divot in one of the tabs on the bottom edge of the shield.

You could also insert the tine under the bottom edge of the shield.

Lift up the bottom edge to detach it from the frame.

Step 40

Use a pair of tweezers to lift up the bottom edge of the shield so that it is at a 30° angle with the frame.
This will detach the top edge of the shield from the frame.
Remove the front camera shield from the frame.

Use a pair of tweezers to lift up the bottom edge of the shield so that it is at a 30° angle with the frame.

This will detach the top edge of the shield from the frame.

Remove the front camera shield from the frame.

Step 41

              Remove the camera foam strip

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the foam strip adhered to the front camera, Windows Hello face camera, and left microphone cables.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the foam strip adhered to the front camera, Windows Hello face camera, and left microphone cables.

Step 42

              Disconnect the front camera

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the front camera press connector from its socket.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the front camera press connector from its socket.

Step 43

              Remove the front-facing sensor bar screws

Depending on what component you are repairing, different shields on the motherboard may be removed at this point. For example, the shield covering the rear-facing camera connector has been removed in this step’s image.
Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the eight 5.5 mm screws securing the front-facing sensor bar.

Depending on what component you are repairing, different shields on the motherboard may be removed at this point. For example, the shield covering the rear-facing camera connector has been removed in this step’s image.

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the eight 5.5 mm screws securing the front-facing sensor bar.

Step 44

              Dislodge the front-facing sensor bar

Insert the pointed end of a spudger into the gap on the right side of the sensor bar between the rightmost screw hole and the adjacent screw hole.
Lift up the right side of the sensor bar to dislodge it from the frame.
You only need to lift the sensor bar so that it is loose in the frame. Don’t try to remove the front sensor bar—it is still attached to the Surface by a cable that connects under the motherboard.

Insert the pointed end of a spudger into the gap on the right side of the sensor bar between the rightmost screw hole and the adjacent screw hole.

Lift up the right side of the sensor bar to dislodge it from the frame.

You only need to lift the sensor bar so that it is loose in the frame. Don’t try to remove the front sensor bar—it is still attached to the Surface by a cable that connects under the motherboard.

Step 45

Repeat the last step for the gap in the sensor bar between the second and third screw hole from the left.
This gap is where the sensor bar’s cable is located.

Repeat the last step for the gap in the sensor bar between the second and third screw hole from the left.

This gap is where the sensor bar’s cable is located.

Step 46

              Lift the front-facing sensor bar

Lift the sensor bar 90° so that it’s perpendicular to the frame.
Don’t push the sensor bar past 90° and don’t rotate it horizontally to avoid damaging the cable connecting it to the motherboard.

Lift the sensor bar 90° so that it’s perpendicular to the frame.

Don’t push the sensor bar past 90° and don’t rotate it horizontally to avoid damaging the cable connecting it to the motherboard.

Step 47

              Detach the front camera

The front camera is secured to the frame with light adhesive.
Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the top left corner of the front camera.
Lift the front camera up to detach it from the frame.

The front camera is secured to the frame with light adhesive.

Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the top left corner of the front camera.

Lift the front camera up to detach it from the frame.

Step 48

Insert an opening pick under the top edge of the front camera.
Slide the opening pick under the front camera toward its connector to cut through the adhesive.
If the adhesive is too difficult to cut through, follow these steps:
Apply a few drops of high-concentration (90% or higher) isopropyl alcohol to the left edge of the front camera.
Wait thirty seconds for the isopropyl alcohol to weaken the adhesive.
Use an opening pick to cut through the adhesive under the front camera.
Only apply as much isopropyl alcohol as needed while removing the front camera. Isopropyl alcohol may permanently obscure the front and rear camera lenses, causing blurry photos.

Insert an opening pick under the top edge of the front camera.

Slide the opening pick under the front camera toward its connector to cut through the adhesive.

If the adhesive is too difficult to cut through, follow these steps:

Apply a few drops of high-concentration (90% or higher) isopropyl alcohol to the left edge of the front camera.

Wait thirty seconds for the isopropyl alcohol to weaken the adhesive.

Use an opening pick to cut through the adhesive under the front camera.

Only apply as much isopropyl alcohol as needed while removing the front camera. Isopropyl alcohol may permanently obscure the front and rear camera lenses, causing blurry photos.

Step 49

              Remove the front camera

Use a pair of blunt tweezers to lift and remove the front camera.
During reassembly, make sure to insert the peg on the frame into the hole in the front camera cable.
The peg is located to the right of the front camera.

Use a pair of blunt tweezers to lift and remove the front camera.

During reassembly, make sure to insert the peg on the frame into the hole in the front camera cable.

The peg is located to the right of the front camera.

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 these instructions 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 Microsoft Surface Pro X Answers community for help.

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Author

                    Kyle Smith

Member since: 02/01/2021

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Introduction#

What you need#

Introduction

What you need