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Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement

What you need

  1. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement, Case: step 1, image 1 of 2 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement, Case: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Using a spudger or plastic opening tool, gently pry the bezel from the screen. It is easier to start in the corners and work your way around the bezel.

    • Do not insert the spudger too far under the bezel; it could easily damage the screen.

  2. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the eleven 3.0 mm Phillips screws surrounding the midframe.

    • At the top of the display, a strip of black tape covers one screw.

  3. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the midframe out of the case.

    • If the midframe is stuck, slide it to the left first, and then lift it out.

  4. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement, Battery: step 4, image 1 of 2 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement, Battery: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Turn over the midframe to locate the battery.

    • Remove the three Phillips 3.0 mm screws securing the battery to the midframe.

  5. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Gently lift the battery from the bottom, and slide it out of the midframe.

  6. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement, Screen: step 6, image 1 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement, Screen: step 6, image 2 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement, Screen: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • Use a spudger to lift up the retaining flap on the large ZIF connector at the bottom left of the motherboard.

    • Gently pull the large ribbon cable out of the ZIF connector.

  7. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Flip up the retaining flap on the small ZIF connector at the bottom of the motherboard.

    • Pull the small ribbon cable out of the ZIF connector.

  8. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Lift up the flat, yellow connector from its socket on the bottom right of the motherboard.

  9. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the yellow anti-static tape from the display cable.

    • 
Use a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the display cable ZIF connector.

    • Carefully pull the display cable out of its socket.

  10. Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation Screen Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Plastic Cards
    $2.99
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    • Remove the remaining 7 Phillips screws.

    • Lift the motherboard out of the midframe.

    • The screen itself is glued to the midframe. If your replacement screen does not include the midframe, heat the screen with an iOpener and gently pry it from the midframe with a spudger or plastic card.

Conclusion

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

25 other people completed this guide.

Anthony Nahal

Member since: 01/25/13

60 Reputation

3 Guides authored

Team

Cal Poly, Team 3-33, Amido Winter 2013 Member of Cal Poly, Team 3-33, Amido Winter 2013

CPSU-AMIDO-W13S3G33

4 Members

17 Guides authored

17 Comments

A few points.

1 could be clearer as to which particular model is being used in this dis-assembly (is this the wifi version?).

2 could do with showing the removal of MB from system (not hard but incomplete without it).

3Can you either go further by demonstrating how to remove screen from mid frame and or identify a supplier of the midframe and lcd combined? This would be particularly helpful as the screen appears to be completely glued to the midframe with no obvious way to remove it.

Pete B - Reply

It’s the wifi version. I’ve just fitted a screen to the 3G version.

Difference is that (if you look at the top of the picture in step 8), there’s a populated SIM card slot on the board, above that a modem daughter board you can unscrew, and plugged into this antenna leads that go to an antenna mounted on the top of the main frame.

Only difference in repair would be that you’d have to unscrew the modem and pop off the MMCX connector the antenna uses.

One problem I did have is that on my Kindle there seems to be an antenna-tape-thing at the top of the frame (https://youtu.be/-SEG4NDb2JY?t=58s - on frame directly above the top of the screen).

When I pried off the bezel, (in my case) this stuck to the bezel not the frame, so it ripped. Might be worth heating the top of the bezel before peeling it off - but apart from that don’t see what you could do.

Anyway, my kindle is all back together again and 3G both seem to be working - so not too worried.

James Halliday -

Whilst this is a lovely example on how to get to the point when you remove the screen best you all be beware the the original Paperwhite (The one I took apart) screen is bonded glass to metal and is practically impossible to clean off. After a great deal of scraping I got to the point where I could fit my replacement screen. Alas all my work has been wasted so far because the replacement screen is not up to scratch. Personally, after attempting replacing the screen I'd pay the £60 to get someone else to replace it.

Flynn Gardener - Reply

My replacement screen didn’t come with a frame, so I had to separate old screen from the frame.

I heated the screen and managed to lever it out, but edges of the screen crumbled to glass dust as I pried the screen.

Shot of contact cleaner seemed to allow me to get the crumbled glass out of the glue layer on the frame.

Pretty sure it’s not possible to remove a screen from a frame and not destroy it.

James Halliday -

Maybe you guys can help me:

I have a paperwhite 1st-gen that doesn't charge via usb anymore, but the screen is perfect. At first i wanted to replace the usb jack, buti then I found a paperwhite 2nd-gen with a defect screen.

So I decided to dissasemble both of them and assemble them to one working device. I used the 1st-gen-screen and the 2nd-gen-board. But when I switch it on and do a reset i get the error: "INVALID BATTERY: -22".

adisdurakovic - Reply

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