Phone · Google · Pixel 4a 5g
Google Pixel 4a 5g Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Google Pixel 4a 5g
Before you begin
Tools
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Suction cup tool
- Plastic prying tools
- Spudger tool
- T3 Torx screwdriver
- Tweezers
- Soft brush
- Compressed air
Parts / materials
- Isopropyl alcohol (99%)
- Display adhesive strips
- Shallow dish
- Lint-free microfiber cloth
Safety
- Disconnect the battery cable immediately upon opening to prevent short circuits
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using 99% isopropyl alcohol
- Wear an anti-static wrist strap to protect sensitive microchips
- Do not overheat the screen assembly during display removal
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power off the Pixel 4a 5G
1 minPress and hold the Power button, then tap Power Off on the screen. Do not connect a charger if water damage is suspected.
- 2
Heat the screen edges
2 minApply heat to the front glass perimeter using a heat gun for 2 minutes to soften the display adhesive.
- 3
Attach the suction cup
1 minPress a suction cup firmly onto the upper half of the display screen and pull up gently to create a gap.
- 4
Slice the screen adhesive
4 minInsert a plastic opening pick into the gap and slide it along all four edges to cut the adhesive tape.
- 5
Lift the display assembly
2 minCarefully pivot the top edge of the screen upwards, using caution not to strain the bottom display ribbon cable.
- 6
Unscrew the display cable shield
2 minUse a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the single screw holding down the metal display connector bracket.
- 7
Disconnect the display cable
1 minPry the display ribbon cable connector straight up off the motherboard using a plastic spudger.
- 8
Remove the midframe screws
3 minUnscrew the T3 Torx screws located around the perimeter of the black plastic inner midframe panel.
- 9
Disconnect the battery flex cable
1 minPry up the battery press connector immediately with a spudger to prevent electrical shorting.
- 10
Unfasten the motherboard screws
2 minRemove the remaining T3 screws securing the motherboard assembly to the rear casing.
- 11
Extract the motherboard
3 minDisconnect the front and rear camera flex cables, then carefully lift the logic board out of the phone body.
- 12
Submerge the board in isopropyl alcohol
5 minPlace the motherboard into a shallow dish filled with 99% isopropyl alcohol to displace trapped water.
- 13
Scrub corrosion from components
5 minGently brush away liquid oxidation and mineral deposits from the board connectors using a soft brush.
- 14
Dry the motherboard thoroughly
15 minBlow away excess liquid with compressed air and allow the board to dry completely on a lint-free cloth.
- 15
Reinstall components and seal the display
10 minReassemble the motherboard, reconnect all internal cables, and apply fresh display adhesive before pressing the screen shut.
After your Google Pixel 4a 5g water damage repair
Power the Pixel 4a 5g back on and test the water damage repair function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Google Pixel 4a 5g job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Google Pixel 4a 5g repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
