Step-by-step

1. 1

   Power off the tablet

   1 min

   Press and hold the power button until the screen prompts you to turn off the Kindle Fire. Select OK to completely shut down the device.

2. 2

   Pry open the back cover edge

   2 min

   Insert a plastic opening pick between the outer plastic back cover and the front glass assembly near the top edge. Twist gently to release the plastic retention clips.

3. 3

   Unclip the perimeter of the back cover

   3 min

   Slide the opening pick around all four edges of the tablet casing to unlatch the remaining clips. Use a second pick if the clips attempt to snap back closed.

4. 4

   Remove the back cover

   1 min

   Lift the plastic back cover straight up and set it aside. The internal components and motherboard are now exposed.

5. 5

   Peel back protective Kapton tape

   1 min

   Locate black or amber tape covering the battery connector and motherboard flex ribbons. Carefully peel and remove the tape using tweezers.

6. 6

   Disconnect the battery cable

   2 min

   Insert the flat edge of a spudger beneath the battery wire connector block. Pry straight up to safely disconnect power from the motherboard.

7. 7

   Disconnect the display ribbon cable

   2 min

   Flip up the small locking ZIF lever on the display cable connector using a spudger. Slide the flexible ribbon cable out of its socket.

8. 8

   Disconnect the digitizer ribbon cable

   2 min

   Flip open the retention latch on the touch digitizer ZIF connector. Gently pull the ribbon cable out away from the board.

9. 9

   Unplug the speaker wire assembly

   2 min

   Grasp the tiny speaker wire plug close to the socket with fine tweezers. Pull the plug horizontally out of its connector on the motherboard.

10. 10

    Remove motherboard mounting screws

    3 min

    Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the four silver screws securing the motherboard to the plastic housing. Keep these organized for reassembly.

11. 11

    Lift out the motherboard

    2 min

    Gently lift the motherboard from the plastic frame starting from the top edge. Ensure no loose ribbon cables snag on the board while removing it.

12. 12

    Apply flux to charging port pads

    2 min

    Apply a small amount of liquid flux across the four structural anchor posts and the five micro-USB data/power pins on the damaged port.

13. 13

    Heat and desolder anchor pins

    5 min

    Apply a heated soldering iron tip along with desoldering braid to the structural anchor pins on the micro-USB port to remove factory solder.

14. 14

    Remove the damaged charging port

    3 min

    Gently heat all micro-USB pins using hot air or a chisel iron tip until solder turns liquid. Lift the damaged port off the board with tweezers.

15. 15

    Clean motherboard solder pads

    3 min

    Lay fresh desoldering braid over the contact pads and heat with the iron to remove leftover solder. Wipe the area clean with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab.

16. 16

    Position the new micro-USB port

    2 min

    Align the replacement micro-USB port pins precisely over the clean motherboard contact pads. Ensure all side legs seat flat into their thru-holes.

17. 17

    Tack down port anchor legs

    3 min

    Apply fresh solder to the structural side legs of the port to lock it securely onto the circuit board.

18. 18

    Solder power and data pins

    5 min

    Apply flux and a tiny dab of solder onto each of the five electrical pins using a fine conical iron tip. Verify no solder bridges exist between adjacent pins.

19. 19

    Reseat the motherboard into frame

    2 min

    Place the motherboard back into the lower housing, aligning the new charging port perfectly with the cutout on the outer frame edge.

20. 20

    Fasten motherboard screws

    3 min

    Thread and tighten the four Phillips #00 screws back into the motherboard to secure it to the frame.

21. 21

    Reconnect display, digitizer, and speaker flexes

    3 min

    Insert the display and digitizer ribbon cables into their sockets and press down their locking latches. Plug the speaker connector back into its receptacle.

22. 22

    Reconnect the battery cable

    2 min

    Press the battery cable plug firmly down into its socket on the motherboard until it snaps into place.

23. 23

    Snap the back cover into place

    2 min

    Align the back cover over the tablet frame and press down firmly around all edges until all plastic clips snap fully closed.