Introduction

Use this guide to replace the battery in your Kobo Clara BW (P365 model) eReader.

Important: There are two Clara BW versions: N365 and P365. Check your eReader's model number (printed near the bottom of the rear case) before starting this guide. This guide is for the P365 model. Click here for the N365 model guide instead.

If your battery isn't holding a charge or is starting to swell, it's time to change your battery!

Following this guide will remove your eReader's IP (Ingress Protection) rating, making it susceptible to water damage.

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

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.

Note: Some photos used in this guide are of different Kobo Clara models. Any slight visual discrepancies won't affect the guide procedure.

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    • 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 MoreSettingsEnergy 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.

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    • Lay your eReader down so the back cover is facing up.

    • Insert the flat edge of an opening pick between the frame and the bottom left corner of the back cover.

    • Push the pick downwards at a slight angle until it slides under the back cover.

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

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    • Remove the pick and reinsert it under the bottom left corner.

    • Angle the pick flat under the back cover and rotate it around the bottom left corner to release its clips.

    • If you're having trouble, try twisting the pick to lift the corner clips out of their slots.

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

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    • 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 left 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.

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    • Nearly 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.

    • The ZIF connector locking tabs are coated in a gel that can jam the hinge and keep the locking tab from completely unlocking. Make sure the tabs are completely upright before disconnecting any cables.

    • Depending on your repair, you might have to remove the coating completely from the connectors and their cables.

    • If at any point the coating becomes too difficult to work with, heat it for 90 seconds with an iOpener or a hair dryer.

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    • Use a clean fingernail or the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.

    • Don't pull on what looks like a clear connector pull tab. The tab is secured to the socket gasket.

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    • Insert the tip of an opening pick under the battery flex cable.

    • Slide the pick along the cable to separate it from the waterproof coating.

    • You'll probably pull up a bit of coating from the frame. This is fine and won't affect the eReader's functionality.

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    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 2.8 mm‑long screws securing the battery to the eReader.

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    • Lift the battery off the frame and remove it.

    • If you're transferring the battery to a new screen, inspect the battery for any dents or deformations.

    • Never reuse a damaged battery! If your battery shows any signs of damage, replace it with a new one.

Conclusion

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

Remember: after repairs, your eReader is no longer IPX8 waterproof.

For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery after completing this guide.

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

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

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

Arthur Shi

Member since: 03/01/18

296850 Reputation

One comment

Il mio Kobo è frizzato con schermata nera con scritta "Restoring" in tutte le lingue del mondo. E' così da 3 settimane ormai, è stato messo sotto carica ma non cambia niente. Apro il Kobo per provare a scollegare e ricollegare la batteria ma anche dopo averla scollegata, la scritta sullo schermo rimane. Lo schermo non si spegne ed è così da diversi minuti ormai. Cosa può essere successo?

Andrea Amenta -