Xbox Series X Shell Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 19

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken or cracked shell (aka enclosure) on your Xbox Series X.

Before you begin, completely power down and unplug all cables from your console. Remember to follow general electrostatic discharge (ESD) safety procedures while repairing your console.

Tools

Parts

Tesa 61395 Tape

Step 1

Before you begin, completely power down and unplug all cables from your console.
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the sticker hiding the first screw on the back panel, near the base.

Step 2

For cleaner removal, use an iOpener or hair dryer to heat the sticker.
Use a pair of blunt tweezers to peel back the large sticker on the back panel to reveal the second screw.
You only need to peel this sticker to where you can access the hidden screw. You don't need to pull it completely off.
Technically, these are tamper-evident stickers, but don't worry—Microsoft can't legally void your warranty, as long as you don't damage anything. Have fun!

Recommend using a hair dryer to soften the label adhesive.

Crash -

Microsoft can void your warranty. They can use whatever excuse if it is sent in because you opened it and you cannot prove you didn’t damage it.

DirtyD -

Step 3

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the two 7.4 mm‑long screws securing the back panel.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your console.

Step 4

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap between the back panel and the shell, near the left side of the base.
Pry up the back panel to release it from the locking clips.

Step 5

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap between the back panel and the shell, near the right side of the base.
Pry up the back panel to release it from the locking clips.

Step 6

Grip the back panel at the opening you just created and pull it up and away from the shell to unclip the long edges.
During reassembly, press along the edges of the back panel to snap it into place.

Step 7

The back panel slots into a gap at the top of the shell.
Tilt the back panel up and pull it away from the top edge of the shell to release it from the gap.
Remove the back panel.

Step 8

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the three screws securing the fan to the center chassis:
One 10.5 mm pancake screw
Two 8.8 mm screws

are there any 10.5mm wide head screw for the xbox fan for sale because i need a replacement because i accidentally broke mine

GhostMindX9 -

If the 10.5 mm screw isn’t budging, use some pliers to loosen it

Joseph Grant - 07/07/24

Step 9

Use your fingers or a pair of blunt tweezers to grip the edges of the fan cable connector, and pull up to disconnect it from the center chassis.
Always pull cables by their connectors and not the wires themselves.
During reassembly, route the fan cable underneath its small cable guide on the fan housing so it doesn't interfere with the back panel.

But don’t pull the connectors with tweezers because you will inevitably still damage the cable as you have no grip on the connector and the tweezers will slip.

Leif DeWolf -

Step 10

Slide the fan out of its slot to remove it.
During reinstallation, note that the fan can only be installed one way—make sure Master Chief is facing you.
If you're replacing the fan, a new fan might not include the plastic installation bracket, which is attached to the fan with four T10 Torx screws. This isn't pictured in this guide.

Step 11

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift up on the locking tab holding the base to the shell.

Step 12

Grip the base and rotate it counterclockwise to unlock it from the shell.
You may need to hold the locking tab open while you get the base started.
Remove the base.
During reassembly, drop the base tabs into their holes on the shell and twist clockwise until the base snaps into the interior locking tab.
When locked in place, the "Hello from Seattle" line will be parallel with the device's sides.

had trouble getting the base off, what worked for me is setting the console on the table sitting on the base and turning the whole console while pushing down.

techy Waterville -

Step 13

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the two 8.8 mm screws securing the optical drive's vibration isolator to the shell: one on the base and one on the top of the isolator.

Step 14

Lift up the optical drive's vibration isolator to remove it.
The vibration isolator grips the sides of the optical drive with silicone pads, so you may need to "walk" the isolator off of the drive to slip it off each side.
During reassembly, ensure the vibration isolator is pushed down and around both edges of the optical drive, so it sits flush with the rest of the center chassis.

Step 15

Use a pair of blunt tweezers to grip the edges of the optical drive power connector and pull up to disconnect it from the optical drive.
Always pull cables by their connectors and not the wires themselves.
Use your fingers to pull up and disconnect the data cable from the optical drive.

Once again, DO NOT use tweezers to pull these connectors out. That’s a great way to slip and damage something.

Leif DeWolf -

Step 16

Grip the top edge of the optical drive and pull it out of its slot in the shell to remove it.
During reassembly, align the pegs on the bottom edge of the optical drive with the guide holes on the bottom of the shell.
If the drive is misaligned, the top vibration isolator will not be able to be installed correctly, and the disc reader will be misaligned with the front of the console.

Step 17

The ribbon cables and their connectors are extremely fragile, so always open locking tabs gently and pull cables slowly.
Use the flat end of a spudger to flip open the metal locking tab on the USB port ribbon cable.
During reassembly, gently snap the metal locking tab back into place once the cable has been inserted.

Step 18

Use a pair of tweezers to pull up on the black plastic pull tab to disconnect the USB port cable.
Pull only on the pull tab, not the cable itself.
If the USB port cable feels adhered to the metal chassis, use an apply an iOpener or hair dryer to heat the cable. Depending on your model of Xbox, you may also need to slide an opening pick under the cable to separate the adhesive.

Connector i-pex Evaflex 5-HD 24 pin

20952-024e-02

http://www.i-pex.com/sites/default/files...

drops206 - 27/08/21

The silver ribbon cable is glued down to the center chassis, so only pulling on the black plastic pull tab will result in it pulling free from the cable as that tab is only glued to the cable.

Better to heat the silver ribbon cable's adhesive with a hair dryer, separate the cable from the center chassis, and then pull the cable from the connector using the black plastic pull tab.

Crash -

Step 19

Use the pointed end of a spudger to depress the metal tab on the side of the power button cable's board connector.
With the metal tab depressed, use a pair of tweezers to pull up on the pull tab to disconnect the power button cable from the center chassis.
Pull only on the pull tab, not the cable itself.
Don't pull on the cable without depressing the metal tab, otherwise you risk damaging either the cable or the connector.
During reassembly, the cable should lightly "snap" into place when inserted.

I broke this connector during disassembly. Is there a part number I can use to get a replacement on Mouser or Digikey?

Peter LeCraw -

I broke this connector during disassembly too. Where can I get this connector?

Oscar Cedeño -

the manufacturer of connectors in series x is I-PEX. exact part number (as far as I'm not mistaken) 20535-010E-02 EVAFLEX 5-VS. 0.5mm pin spacing (10pin connector). a possible rescue may be to desolder the connector from the switch board and solder it permanently there.

http://www.i-pex.com/sites/default/files...

drops206 -

How do I purchase this from their website?

munirbisharat12 -

I have these connectors. Baycroc@fedtel.net

Evenson Electronics - 28/08/21

Would we be able to order them from you directly

bailey jackson -

Yes would we be able to order these connectors directly from you?

Blake Roan -

XSX NEXUS FPC Socket

kasynlife -

There is no black pull tab on mine😬. How am I supposed to pull it safely?

Karman Wilmot -

Step 20

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the three 7.4 mm screws securing the center chassis assembly to the shell.

Step 21

Gently peel the taped USB port ribbon cable off of the heatsink.
Depending on your model of Xbox, the adhesive may be on the underside of the cable. If so, use an iOpener or hair dryer to heat the cable.

Step 22

The center chassis is aligned to the shell with guide pegs. These pegs will need to slide out of their slots to allow the chassis to be lifted out.
Grip the center chassis and pull it towards the green fan grille at the top of the shell, uncoupling the guide pegs from the shell.
Lift out the center chassis assembly to remove it from the shell.
During reassembly, make sure neither of the ribbon cables get pinched as you lower the center chassis into the shell.

Step 23

The power button cable is adhered to the shell with pieces of mild adhesive.
Use an iOpener or a hair dryer to heat the power button cable.

Step 24

Be very careful when lifting the cable where it connects to the board. Peel gently, and slide an opening pick under the cable if you're having trouble separating the adhesive.
Use your fingers to peel up the power button cable and fully separate it from the shell.
During reassembly, use thin double‑sided adhesive to secure the cable. If there's adhesive left and it's still sticky, you can reuse it. If you have a new cable, check it for pre‑installed adhesive and remove any liners.

Step 25

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the four 5.5 mm‑long screws securing the power button board.

Step 26

Remove the power button board.

Step 27

The USB board cable is adhered to the shell with pieces of mild adhesive.
Use an iOpener or a hair dryer to heat the USB board cable.

Step 28

Be very careful when lifting the cable where it connects to the board. Peel gently, and slide an opening pick under the cable if you're having trouble separating the adhesive.
Use your fingers to peel up the USB board cable and fully separate it from the shell.
During reassembly, use thin double‑sided adhesive to secure the cable. If there's adhesive left and it's still sticky, you can reuse it. If you have a new cable, check it for pre‑installed adhesive and remove any liners.

Step 29

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the two 8.9 mm‑long screws securing the USB board enclosure:
One screw inside the shell
One screw on the bottom of the shell (where the base was)

Step 30

Use your fingers to slide the USB board enclosure out from under the metal clip securing it to the shell.
Remove the enclosure.
During reassembly:
Make sure the Pair button is properly oriented and fully inserted in its slot.
Firmly slide the enclosure into position until it snaps into place under the metal clip.

Where can I get a new pair button the one with the slit in it and says to get it in the slot

Jogh -

Step 31

You're left with the shell.
Compare your new replacement shell to the original—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings.