Tablet · Microsoft · Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT Screen Replacement
Screen Replacement guide for the Microsoft Surface RT
Before you begin
Tools
- T5 Torx screwdriver
- Plastic opening picks
- Suction cup
- Heat gun
- Tweezers
- Spudger
- Anti-static wrist strap
Parts / materials
- Replacement Surface RT display assembly
- Pre-cut screen adhesive strips
- Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher)
- Microfiber cloth
Safety
- Wear safety glasses to protect against fine glass splinters from damaged displays.
- Ensure the device is powered off and completely disconnected from power before starting.
- Use caution with heat guns to avoid melting plastic components or damaging the battery.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Turn off the tablet
1 minPower down your Microsoft Surface RT completely and disconnect all attached cables and accessories.
- 2
Extend the kickstand
1 minFlip open the rear kickstand to expose the lower housing area and hidden screws underneath.
- 3
Pry off upper plastic bezel
3 minInsert a plastic opening pick under the plastic camera cover on the top rear of the device and slide it off.
- 4
Unscrew top housing screws
3 minUse a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the exposed screws hidden beneath the top plastic cover.
- 5
Unscrew kickstand hinge screws
2 minRemove the T5 Torx screws securing the kickstand hinges to the chassis.
- 6
Heat display edges
3 minApply heat around the front glass perimeter using a heat gun for two minutes to soften the adhesive.
- 7
Attach suction cup
1 minPress a suction cup firmly onto the upper section of the display assembly near the top edge.
- 8
Slice perimeter adhesive
5 minInsert a thin plastic opening pick into the seam between the glass and magnesium frame, slicing adhesive around all edges.
- 9
Lift display panel
2 minPry upward with the suction cup and carefully hinge the screen open from the top edge.
- 10
Disconnect LCD cable
2 minUse plastic tweezers to flip up the ZIF lock lever on the display connector and pull the ribbon cable out.
- 11
Disconnect digitizer cable
2 minUnclip the touch digitizer connector bracket and gently detach the cable from the motherboard.
- 12
Remove damaged screen
1 minSeparate the screen assembly from the tablet body and place it face down on a clean surface.
- 13
Clear old adhesive
4 minScrape off residual frame tape using a spudger and clean the contact surfaces with isopropyl alcohol.
- 14
Apply new adhesive
4 minLay fresh double-sided adhesive strips along the entire perimeter of the magnesium housing.
- 15
Attach digitizer connector
2 minPlug the new screen assembly's touch digitizer ribbon cable into its corresponding motherboard socket.
- 16
Attach LCD connector
2 minInsert the display ribbon cable into the ZIF socket and press down the retaining latch to lock it in place.
- 17
Press screen into place
3 minAlign the replacement display onto the frame and press firmly along all edges to seat the adhesive.
- 18
Reinstall body screws
3 minReinsert and tighten the T5 Torx screws along the kickstand area and upper top bezel.
- 19
Reattach plastic camera cover
1 minSnap the upper plastic camera bezel strip back onto the top edge of the rear housing.
After your Microsoft Surface RT screen replacement
Power the Surface RT back on and test the screen replacement 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 Microsoft Surface RT job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Microsoft Surface RT repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
