Xbox One Upper Case Replacement

Written By: Andrew Optimus Goldheart

Comments: 34

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

15 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace a broken upper case, or just to remove your existing case for modding or painting.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

To open your Xbox, you're going to have to cut or peel up this tamper-evident tape. But don't worry—Microsoft can't legally void your warranty, as long as you don't damage anything. Have fun!

In the United States the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 is a Federal Law that states that stickers and clauses are illegal. It says you can open your electronics without voiding the warranty, regardless of what language of that warranty says.

Dustin D'Amour - 23/11/16

Stickers are illegal!?

Brandon - 10/04/18

For anyone concerned, if you apply heat with a blow dryer or heat gun you can carefully remove the sticker without damaging it, making it impossible to know that the sticker was ever removed.

Kelton Stewart - 26/04/18

All the immature comments aside, thank you Dustin for sharing the information.

Wade - 03/11/18

xbox를 열기 위해서 이러한 위조방지 테이프를 자르거나 떼어내야 합니다. 하지만 걱정 마세요. 여러분이 무언가 직접적으로 망가트리지 않는한 ms는 보증을 취소하지 않습니다.

승대/SeungDae 정/Jeong - 08/05/19

Step 2

Use a plastic opening tool to pry up and remove the plastic vent that surrounds the side USB port.
The vent is fairly flexible, and held in place with weak plastic clips—start prying from the back and peel it out.

- 플라스틱 오프닝 도구를 애용해서 측면 usb 포트를 둘러싼 통풍구를 들어올려 분리하세요.

- 이 통풍구는 무척 유연하며 연약한 플라스틱 클립으로 고정되어 있습니다. 뒤쪽에서부터 들어올려 분리하고 떼어냅니다.

승대/SeungDae 정/Jeong - 08/05/19

Step 3

There is a small plastic tab that reinforces the front corner of the Xbox.
Slide the tab straight back and remove it.

Do u sell that plastic tag I need it

Brandon - 15/10/16

Here is What's Stated in Step-3 : (There is a small plastic tab that reinforces the front corner of the Xbox.) Actually, the "Tab" is NOT SMALL at all. See the Picture: The "TAB" is the Piece that this Person has their Thumb on, is the Tab that you NEED TO SLIDE TOWARDS THE "REAR" of the Unit. You will be able to tell How this Large Tab Holds the Top and the Bottom Case Covers together. Take Note how to Replace this tab back where it Belongs, when you are putting the Case Covers back together. Hope that this comment will help you. 6-29-2017

B.L. Spence - 30/06/17

- xbox의 전면 모서리를 지지하는 작은 플라스틱 탭이 있습니다.

- 뒤쪽으로 똑바로 밀어서 제거하세요.

승대/SeungDae 정/Jeong - 08/05/19

What is this small tab referred to as?

What is it called i need to order one.

James Lipsey - 11/04/20

Step 4

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the upper and lower case where they meet at the rear of the side vent opening.
There is a strong plastic clip connecting the two case halves (the first of many), so you'll need to use quite a bit of force.
Leave the spudger in place until you open the case completely. The clips are very springy and may cause the case to snap shut while you're working.

prying does not work. my spudger is causing damage. my soft. plastic. spudger. and the %#*@ thing does not move. this is a common issue with the instructions on this site. you write instructions like you assume people have extensive repair experience. describe the plastic tab. add detail. because simply prying WILL damage the case. hire a %#*@ writer. cause you guys do not know how to precisely convey important detail. constant problem with tech companies actually. no writers.

Kevin Michaels - 13/04/19

- 벗겨낸 통풍구쪽부터 상판과 하판 사이의 틈으로 spudger의 평평한 끝을 밀어넣습니다.

- 플라스틱 클립들이 꽤 강하기 때문에 생각보다 강한 힘을 사용해야 합니다.

- 케이스를 완전히 열 때까지 spudger를 계속 끼워두세요. 클립이 강해서 작업도중 다시 닫힐 수도 있습니다.

승대/SeungDae 정/Jeong - 08/05/19

it would be very very nice that the part, that you sell, will Fix. This an ols Tutorial. The new opening tools that you sell, will not help anything, cause there is no flat sign on the side. you link these tools at this tutorial, but never tested, if the new tools work. so i tell this you, no they dont fit. Thanks for nothing.

Zeroslammer - 10/07/19

I ve made it this far with only a Lego membership card and a flimsier amusement park card (I'm a big year old)

Shadow Killz - 08/11/19

I had to use a 1/32nd flathead screw driver. In the corner to get it started push the top joint of the case down and up will simultaneously pulling up and down to seperate the seam. You will need a 3rd hand to insert the 1/32nd flathead and pry up to get the case started.

I had a virgin never opened xbox day one og so that might be why I had to do it this way.

KSI AZZAZLE - 07/05/21

even the wikihow instructions are better

Ethan Banks -

It’s easier if you push the top empty area part of the plastic with your finger, and stick the spudger about 3/4” (2 cm) away from the back of the xbox and start prying. You have to do this because that is the only spot where there are no clips in the way. If you do any less or more distance, the clips are in the way, and you’ll never be able to pry open the Xbox because the tool can’t get in.

Saul Torres -

A youtube video I found explains this step better. You are meant to pull up on one half and push down on the other, this separates the two halves. Then use a spudger on the rear of the console to separate the clip right under the warranty sticker, then move down the back of the console to the other clips

Zachary Avery -

Step 5

The interface between the upper and lower cases is secured by several clips along the rear and remaining side of the Xbox.
Insert a plastic opening tool between the upper and lower case to separate the clip over the rear vent.

- 상판과 하판 사이에 끼인 후면 단자판은 여러개의 클립으로 고정되어 있습니다.

- 플라스틱 오프닝 도구로 후면 통풍구의 클립들을 분리하세요.

승대/SeungDae 정/Jeong - 08/05/19

Step 6

Keep moving along the rear of the Xbox, prying up clips.
Make sure the spudger stays in its blocking position—even if the case opens up enough for the spudger to fall out, the remaining clips are springy and may pull the case completely shut. Keep the spudger in the gap to protect your progress.

- 후면을 따라서 계속 클립을 들어서 분리하세요.

- spudger가 제대로 꽂혀 있는지 중간중간 확인하세요. spudger가 빠질정도로 케이스가 분리 되더라도 남은 클립들이 매우 탄력적이라서 방심하면 도로 닫히기 십상입니다. 원활한 진행을 위해 spudger가 잘 꽂혀서 사이를 벌리도록 유지하세요.

승대/SeungDae 정/Jeong - 08/05/19

Step 7

Keep popping clips. It may help to slide the plastic opening tool across the clips.
By the time you get to the far edge of the rear case, the top case should be ready to come off. If not, run your plastic opening tool around the corner and pop the clips along the side without the USB port.

- 클립들을 계속해서 분리합니다. 클립들을 가로질러 플라스틱 오프닝 도구를 주욱 미는 것이 도움이 될수도 있습니다.

- 후방 케이스를 따라 분리하면 상판이 열릴 기미가 보여야 합니다. 만약 열릴 기미가 보이지 않는다면 모서리부터 플라스틱 오프닝 도구로 분리를 시작하고 usb포트가 없는 쪽을 따라서 클립 분리를 다시 시도하세요.

승대/SeungDae 정/Jeong - 08/05/19

Step 8

Starting with the spudger you left in the crack, pry the upper case up to free the last few clips.
Use a plastic opening tool to pop any straggler clips that weren't freed.
Do not try to remove the upper case yet, as it is still connected by the front panel button cable.
Lift the upper case slightly and shift it to give access to the front panel board.

I got confused here. I couldn’t unclip the front panel at all. I found out that if I open the case like a clamshell (or a book, with the front being the spine of the book) I popped right off easily.

Omar Ramos - 25/08/19

Yeah, I saw your comment afterwards but this is exactly what I ended up doing as well. just a note for anyone reading this be careful of the flex cable as it does seem to put a questionable amount of strain on it when you open it in this manner.

Graham Holt -

"Lift the upper case slightly and shift it" isn't descriptive enough for this step. Also, pictures of actually getting the front panel loose would be really helpful.

John Poyhonen -

Step 9

The front button cable has a unique ZIF connector—pay attention to the next few steps to safely disconnect it.
Use tweezers to lift the blue plastic retaining loop over the white connector on the board.
Use the tip of a spudger to push the connector's locking tab toward the cable to unlatch it.

I recently took my Xbox one apart to clean it and for some reason it's on for a couple minutes then it cuts off

Ali - 23/09/18

Or anyone else who has this problem or reads this on this thread, which is not the correct thread for this question by the way, here is a link to the forum for that. It could be any of a number of issues including overheating, Portland elation, or infestation, among others.

Xbox One turns on then turns off after a few minutes

Rooster Blue - 12/06/20

Is there somewhere that I can buy a replacement zif connector

Black Light - 14/02/21

Step 10

Use tweezers to pull the cable straight out of the connector on the board.
Remove the upper case.

I broke that peice that white connector peice what can I do?

devinthomason - 14/03/19

Step 11

The next 4 steps are directions for reassembly. Skip them to continue with disassembly.
Use the flat end of a spudger to free the clips securing the front panel to the upper case.
Remove the front panel from the rest of the upper case.

Step 12

Replace the top part of the upper case.
Line up the clips and press firmly to re-seat them around the perimeter.

Step 13

Support the front panel near the front of the Xbox.
Use tweezers to replace the front button cable in its ZIF socket.
Use the flat end of a spudger to push the ZIF lock to the left to secure the cable.

My Xbox stopped working after this thanks

nathan jackson - 30/07/20

Mine did as well, its possible it may be the same reason. For me I had to unplug and plug it back in a few times and then clean off the contacts with isopropyl alcohol. Seems simple but if you haven’t already, I would try it.

Alex Pascone - 16/03/21

Step 14

The lower edge of the front panel has plastic hooks that interlock with plastic hooks on the front edge of the lower case.
With the front panel at a 45 degree angle, interlock its plastic hooks with those in the lower case.
Push the top of the front panel into the Xbox, like closing a mailbox. Press firmly so that the clips securing the front panel to the upper case lock securely.