Step-by-step

1. 1

   Power down and disconnect the device

   1 min

   Turn off the Surface Pro 7 Plus completely through the operating system. Unplug the surface connect power adapter and all external accessories.

2. 2

   Attach anti-static wrist strap

   1 min

   Place the anti-static wrist strap around your wrist and clip the end to a grounded metal object. This protects sensitive internal electronics from electrostatic discharge.

3. 3

   Open the kickstand fully

   1 min

   Flip out the rear kickstand to its maximum angle. This gives access to the SSD compartment and stabilizes the tablet on your work surface.

4. 4

   Remove the SSD hatch and drive

   3 min

   Use a SIM eject tool or thin pin to open the SSD door located under the kickstand. Remove the single T3 Torx screw and pull the M.2 SSD out to protect your data.

5. 5

   Heat the top edge glass

   3 min

   Use a heat gun on low heat to warm the top perimeter of the screen for about two minutes. The glass should be warm to the touch, softening the underlying display adhesive.

6. 6

   Attach suction cup to top glass

   1 min

   Place a suction cup near the top center edge of the screen, close to the web camera array. Press down firmly to create a seal.

7. 7

   Lift top glass to create a gap

   2 min

   Pull upward gently on the suction cup handle until a tiny gap opens between the glass and the magnesium chassis. Avoid excessive force to prevent shattering cracked glass.

8. 8

   Insert opening pick

   2 min

   Insert a thin guitar pick into the small gap created by the suction cup. Do not insert the pick deeper than 3 millimeters to avoid damaging internal antenna cables.

9. 9

   Slice adhesive along the top edge

   3 min

   Slide the opening pick carefully across the top edge toward the right corner. Cut through the softened adhesive while keeping the pick shallow.

10. 10

    Heat and slice right edge adhesive

    4 min

    Apply heat along the right edge of the frame with your heat gun. Guide the pick around the corner and down the right side of the screen.

11. 11

    Heat and slice bottom edge adhesive

    4 min

    Warm the bottom edge of the display with the heat gun. Slide the pick along the lower perimeter, taking extra care near the keyboard connector pins.

12. 12

    Heat and slice left edge adhesive

    4 min

    Warm the left edge of the screen assembly. Guide your pick up the left side, slicing through the remaining perimeter adhesive.

13. 13

    Pivot the display open

    2 min

    Gently lift the top edge of the display and pivot it downward toward the bottom edge. Prop the screen up like a book cover without pulling tight on the delicate display cables.

14. 14

    Remove display cable metal shield

    3 min

    Locate the metal shield covering the screen connector on the motherboard. Use a precision screwdriver to remove the retaining screws and set the metal plate aside.

15. 15

    Disconnect the display ribbon cable

    2 min

    Pry the display flex cable press-connector straight up from the motherboard using a plastic spudger. Lift the old screen away from the chassis entirely.

16. 16

    Clean old adhesive from chassis

    8 min

    Scrape remaining adhesive off the magnesium frame using a plastic prying tool. Dampen a lint-free cloth with isopropyl alcohol to clean the bezel surface completely.

17. 17

    Test replacement screen assembly

    5 min

    Connect the new display ribbon cable into the motherboard connector. Temporarily power on the Surface Pro to verify display output and touch function, then shut it down again.

18. 18

    Disconnect screen for adhesive prep

    2 min

    Unplug the new screen cable carefully using the spudger. Set the display panel safely aside on a soft surface.

19. 19

    Apply pre-cut adhesive strips

    6 min

    Align and lay down double-sided pre-cut adhesive strips along the entire perimeter of the cleaned chassis frame. Peel off the protective backing film.

20. 20

    Reconnect replacement screen cable

    3 min

    Press the display flex cable firmly onto the motherboard socket until it clicks into place. Reattach the metal cover shield and secure its screws.

21. 21

    Reinstall SSD and hatch

    3 min

    Slide the SSD back into its M.2 slot, secure it with its T3 Torx screw, and snap the outer magnetic hatch cover back in place.

22. 22

    Press display firmly onto chassis

    3 min

    Lower the screen assembly into position, perfectly aligning the outer edges with the frame. Press firmly along all four edges to bond the new glass to the adhesive strips.