Tablet · Samsung · Tab 3 Lite
Samsung Tab 3 Lite Fingerprint Sensor Repair
Fingerprint Sensor Repair guide for the Samsung Tab 3 Lite
Before you begin
Tools
- Plastic opening pick
- Precision Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Spudger
- Precision tweezers
- Heat gun or hair dryer
Parts / materials
- Replacement fingerprint sensor flex module
- Pre-cut sensor adhesive strips
- Isopropyl alcohol (99%)
Safety
- Power off the tablet and disconnect battery power before handling internal electronics.
- Wear safety glasses when applying heat to front glass surfaces.
- Use an anti-static wrist strap to avoid electrostatic discharge damage to board components.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Down the Tablet
1 minPress and hold the Power button, then tap Power Off on the screen to completely shut down the device.
- 2
Unclip Rear Cover
2 minInsert a plastic opening pick into the seam between the rear case and the front bezel.
- 3
Release Perimeter Clips
3 minSlide the pick around all four edges to release the internal plastic retaining clips.
- 4
Remove Rear Cover
1 minLift the rear plastic cover off the chassis and set it aside.
- 5
Disconnect the Battery
1 minUse the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector straight up off the motherboard.
- 6
Remove Motherboard Screws
3 minUnscrew the small Phillips #00 screws securing the main logic board to the frame.
- 7
Disconnect Display Ribbon Cables
2 minUse a spudger to open the ZIF retaining flaps and slide out the display and digitizer cables.
- 8
Unseat the Logic Board
2 minGently tilt the logic board up from the bottom edge to reveal the sensor flex connection beneath.
- 9
Disconnect Sensor Flex Cable
1 minPry the fingerprint sensor flex connector off its socket on the motherboard.
- 10
Softening Assembly Adhesive
2 minApply low heat to the front lower bezel with a heat gun for 30 seconds to soften the adhesive.
- 11
Pry Up Old Sensor Module
2 minInsert fine tweezers under the sensor flex cable to pry the module away from the lower frame.
- 12
Clean Adhesive Residue
2 minWipe the sensor recess with isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth to clean off remaining adhesive.
- 13
Install New Sensor Module
2 minPeel the backing from the new sensor module adhesive and press the sensor firmly into place.
- 14
Reconnect Sensor Flex Cable
1 minAlign and press the new fingerprint sensor flex connector onto its logic board socket.
- 15
Reinstall Logic Board
3 minLower the logic board back into position and secure it with the Phillips screws.
- 16
Reconnect Display Cables
2 minSlide the display flex cables back into their ZIF connectors and lock down the retaining flaps.
- 17
Reconnect Battery Connector
1 minPress the battery flex connector straight down onto the board until it snaps into place.
- 18
Snap Rear Cover Closed
2 minAlign the rear cover and press firmly along the edges until every plastic clip snaps shut.
After your Samsung Tab 3 Lite fingerprint sensor repair
Power the Tab 3 Lite back on and test the fingerprint sensor 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 Samsung Tab 3 Lite job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Samsung Tab 3 Lite repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
