Nokia Lumia 950XL mainboard repair guide

Remove the motherboard after water damage.

In this repair guide, we show you how to remove your Lumia 950XL’s PCB on your own. You need to remove the PCB if you want to clean it after water damage.

Find out what to do about water damage here

Required tools

Tweezers

Tweezers

We recommend using tweezers to remove screws and various small parts from your device.
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Pick Set

Pick Set

You need a flat but stable tool such as a pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.
from €14.99 on Amazon
Wiha PicoFinish Torx Screwdriver T4

Wiha PicoFinish Torx Screwdriver T4

Whether you want to tighten or loosen screws, the Wiha PicoFinish Torx screwdriver is perfect for working on devices with Torx screws. You can choose between five different types: T1 to T5 are available in our store. The screwdriver is specially designed for repairs on electronic devices and other precision applications. The ergonomic handle with soft zone and the smooth-running rotating cap make it easy to work comfortably, even on very fine screws and devices. Due to the resistant chrome-vanadium-molybdenum steel and its high-quality workmanship, this screwdriver is highly durable.
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Required replacement part

Microsoft 950XL Motherboard

Microsoft 950XL Motherboard

on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the Lumia 950XL

Steps

15 Steps

Switching off your device

Step 1

Removing the back cover

Step 2

Removing the battery

Step 3

Removing the SIM and microSD cards

Step 4

Removing the chassis

Step 5

Removing the headphone jack

Step 6

Disconnecting the contacts

Step 7

Removing the motherboard

Step 8

Installing the motherboard

Step 9

Connecting the contacts

Step 10

Installing the headphone jack

Step 11

Installing the chassis

Step 12

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Step 13

Inserting the battery

Step 14

Attaching the back cover

Step 15

Getting started with the repair of your Lumia 950XL

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

15 steps

Switching off your device
Turn off your device by holding down the power button until the “slide down to power off” message appears.

Slide your finger down over the screen until “goodbye” appears and your device is shut down.
Removing the back cover
Carefully disconnect the back cover from the enclosure frame. At the bottom, there’s a small slot where you can insert your fingernail or a tool.

Gradually disconnect the back cover from your device.

Take the back cover off of your device.
Removing the battery
Use your finger to lift the battery out of the device. There’s an indentation in the middle of the chassis where you can easily lift the battery.

Remove the battery.
Removing the SIM and microSD cards
Remove the SIM and microSD cards from your device.
Removing the chassis
Remove the twelve screws that attach the chassis to the enclosure.
12 x 4.5 mm T4 Torx screw

The chassis is hooked onto the enclosure below the rear camera. Carefully unhook it using the tweezers or spudger.

Lift the chassis and remove it.
Removing the headphone jack
Carefully disconnect the headphone jack’s contact from the motherboard.

Then remove the jack from the enclosure.
Disconnecting the contacts
Using the spudger, carefully disconnect the following four plug contacts from the motherboard.
Display
Front camera
Proximity sensor (back)
Control buttons

Start with the display contact.

Continue with the front camera connection.

Disconnect the control buttons.

The back of the proximity sensor is connected to the board. If it’s too hard to disconnect this contact, remove the board from the enclosure first (see next step).

Removing the motherboard
The board is hooked onto the enclosure at several points. Unhook it by carefully inserting the spudger below the board and prying it loose. Make sure you don’t break any components off the board.

Once you’ve detached the entire board, you can remove it.
Installing the motherboard
Put the board back in the enclosure.

Press on the board until it clicks into the enclosure.
Connecting the contacts
Carefully connect the following four plug contacts to the motherboard. You’ll hear the contacts click into place. Use your finger to carefully press all of them into the appropriate sockets. Start with the proximity sensor. If the proximity sensor’s contact isn’t positioned right, remove the board from the enclosure and try connecting it again.
Display
Front camera
Proximity sensor (back)
Control buttons
Installing the headphone jack
Put the jack back in the recess on the upper end of the enclosure.

Then carefully connect the jack’s contact to the motherboard. You should be able to hear the contact click into place.
Installing the chassis
Put the chassis back on and press it into the enclosure. Make sure it hooks on below the camera again.

Then use the twelve screws to attach the chassis to your device.
12 x 4.5 mm T4 Torx screw
Inserting the SIM and microSD cards
Put the SIM card back in. Don’t forget to put in the microSD card if you have one.
Inserting the battery
Put the battery back in your device.There are three parallel slots on the bottom of the battery. The contacts are in these slots, so they have to line up with the three gold contacts in your device.

When the battery’s positioned right, it will be level with the enclosure.
Attaching the back cover
Put the back cover back on.

Use your finger to press it onto the entire frame so all the clips on the back cover click into place on the enclosure.