Kobo Libra Colour Front Cover Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 1

Kobo Libra Colour Front Cover Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the front cover in your Kobo Libra Colour eReader.

The front cover consists of the plastic shell around the perimeter of the display and the two page-turn buttons.

Kobo supports their eReaders with a warranty. If your device is still under warranty, Kobo may be able to help. Before starting a repair, review your warranty information or check support documentation.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Drain your eReader's battery as much as possible before starting your repair. Ideally, it should be fully discharged.
Optionally, to drain the battery faster, navigate to More → Settings → Energy saving and privacy and set Automatically go to sleep after and Automatically power off after to Never.
When working on or near the battery, don't use sharp metal tools to avoid puncturing and shorting the battery.
Unplug all cables and fully shut down your eReader.
Your screen should be black and say Powered off.

Step 2

Flip your eReader over so the screen is facing down.
Angle an opening pick straight down, and insert its tip under the top right corner of the back cover, near the power button.
Push downward and pry up with the pick until you feel it slide between one of the clips and the frame.
You may have to test a few spots along the corner until the pick slides between one of the clips.

Step 3

Slide the pick toward the bottom right corner to release the clips along the right edge.

Step 4

Angle the pick flat under the back cover and rotate it around the bottom right corner to release its clips.
If you're having trouble, try twisting the pick to lift the corner clips out of their slots.

Step 5

Slide the pick toward the bottom left corner to release the clips along the bottom edge.

Step 6

At this point, you should be able to grip the back cover and release its remaining clips. If not, slide a pick under the perimeter of the back cover until you can grip an edge.
Grip the right edge of the back cover and lift it away from the eReader to release the remaining clips.
Remove the back cover.
During reassembly, align the back cover over the eReader and press along the perimeter until all its clips snap back into place.

Step 7

The entire surface of the eReader's internals is covered in a thin, plastic-like waterproof coating. Keep the following in mind as you continue disassembly:
While this won't hurt your device, removing the coating compromises the device to potential water damage.
The coating is brittle and can flake into many small pieces. Heating the coating helps, but working with it is still a time-consuming process.
Depending on your repair, you might have to remove the coating from ZIF connectors and their cables.

Step 8

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.
Don't pry against the motherboard, as you risk breaking small, surface-mounted components.
Your E-ink screen will continue to say Powered off even after disconnection—this is normal!

Step 9

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 3.9 mm‑long screws securing the front cover.
You don't need to remove the screw next to the charging port.

Step 10

The front cover is secured with clips and adhesive.
Flip your eReader over so the screen is facing up.
Heat an iOpener and lay it on the top edge of the front cover for 90 seconds to soften the adhesive underneath.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer or a heat gun.

Step 11

Hold the eReader so your thumbs can push the underside of the front cover off its clips while your other fingers can pull the screen in the opposite direction.
Push the top left corner of the front cover while pulling the screen in the opposite direction to release the clips and separate the adhesive.
You'll hear and feel the adhesive slowly separate as you push on the front cover.
If you're having trouble, reheat the top edge for one minute before trying again.

Step 12

While keeping the corner of the front cover separated with one hand, use your other hand to peel the left edge of the front cover off the screen.

Step 13

Continue working around the perimeter of the front cover until all of the clips release and the adhesive is completely separated.
Heat the edges of the front cover when necessary.
The larger, rounded corners take more force to release their clips.

Step 14

Lift the front cover off the screen and remove it.
During reassembly:
If your replacement front cover comes with pre‑installed adhesive, remove the liner. Otherwise, use a thin double-sided tape like Tesa tape to replace the adhesive.
Align the front cover over the frame and press down around the perimeter until the clips snap back into place.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before you install it.

Make sure each of your device's main functions still work, e.g., LED backlight, touch, page-turn buttons, Wi-Fi, etc.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers Community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

151892 Reputation

One comment

Will this work on the Kobra Libra 2 as well?

Tom -