Even if your tablet is in a case, there’s always a risk it could end up with a broken screen one day. Whether you drop it, sit on it, or expose it to extreme heat, it’s not that hard to crack the glass digitizer or the LCD below it.
If that happens to you, is there any chance you can actually replace your tablet screen with a new one? The answer is yes, but how easily depends not only on your own skills but what model of tablet you have.
Here are some of the key things you need to know if you’re thinking about replacing a broken tablet screen.
Research Your Tablet
Before you do anything, you should Google your tablet to see if anyone else has successfully fit one with a new display. Make sure you search for the exact model. You should hopefully find teardown guides and YouTube videos that demonstrate how to get the tablet apart and fix it.
For this guide, we’re demonstrating with an Amazon Fire HD 10 (2017).
Doing your research beforehand will enable you to see how difficult it is to replace the screen---if it’s possible at all. You might decide it’s not worth the expense or that it’s best left to a professional.
Once you’re happy it’s doable, it’s time to look for a replacement screen.
Buying a Replacement Tablet Screen
To find a new screen, just Google the name or model number of your tablet, followed by “replacement screen”. There are numerous specialist sellers who stock replacement parts for tablets. Make sure to read customer reviews to help you find a reliable seller.
Another good source of spare parts for tablets is eBay. Again, be sure to search for the exact model of tablet you want to fix, because even different iterations of the same device can have different screens. For example, the 2017 Amazon Fire HD 10 will have a different screen to the 2019 edition.
As always, look at eBay sellers’ feedback to help you decide on who to buy from. Watch out for items coming from China too, as they will usually take a long time to arrive and may incur import fees.
You may see digitizers being sold separately from LCDs. While it's possible to replace these separately, they're normally glued together, making it extremely difficult to separate them. In most instances, you should buy a combined digitizer and LCD unit.
Tools for Replacing a Tablet Display
As well as a replacement display, you’ll need to buy the right tools to fix your tablet---assuming you don’t already have them.
Typically, that will include:
- Small Phillips head screwdriver
- Small Torx head screwdriver
- Plastic spudgers
- Plastic plectrum (or old credit/membership/store card)
- Optional suction cup to help position the display
You’ll often get some of these tools included with your replacement display. However, the quality varies, and there’s no guarantee they’ll fit your tablet. If you find that’s the case, then you should look to buy better tools separately. Toolkits for opening phones and tablets can be found online for a few dollars. (https://www.amazon.com/Ewparts-Uniersal-Screwdriver-Removal-Motorola/dp/B07NJPFG95/)
For most tablets, you’re also going to need a heat gun to get the screen and the back casing off. It’s common for them to be glued in place, and warming that glue makes it possible to unstick it.
You’ll also need to replace the glue. There are specialist glues you can use for this purpose, but other adhesives may work as well. Just don’t use anything brittle like superglue or weak like wood glue. In a pinch, double-sided tape will work, but only short-term.
Finally, make sure you wear safety goggles. When you’re removing the display from your tablet, the glass may shatter, sending debris flying.
Opening a Broken a Tablet
Although it varies per model, you normally have to remove the back from your tablet before you can even begin to take off the broken display.
If you’re lucky, this is a simple case of pulling off the back or using your spudgers to pry it away. Unfortunately, most tablets these days are glued together---front and back. There are some signs that manufacturers are open to making their devices more repairable, but there's still a lot of work to be done in this area.
If your tablet's back case is glued on, you’ll need to carefully warm the casing around the edges using your heat gun. Then you need to push your spudgers between the back case and the body of the tablet to break the glue and get them apart.
When you’ve gained access to the insides of your tablet, you will probably have to remove most, if not all, of the components before you can safely take the screen off. That usually means the battery, the motherboard, cameras, various other cables, the power switch, and the display itself.
When disconnecting any cables, use your plastic tools to do it gently. Never exert unnecessary force, because you could easily break something.
Replacing a Tablet Screen
If, like most tablets these days, yours has a glued-on screen, you’re going to need your heat gun again. One section at a time, carefully warm up the edge of the screen with your heat gun, but don’t linger in one place too long---you don’t want to melt any plastic parts below the glass.
Next, try to push a plectrum or credit card between the glass and the body of the tablet. It should go in with a little force, but if it doesn’t try warming up the screen some more. Once you get the plectrum in, try to slide it around under the screen, further breaking the glue.
Alternate between heating the screen and prying it away. Ideally, you won’t break the glass in the process, but it’s not a problem if you do. After all, the screen is already broken.
Putting Your Tablet Back Together
After removing the old display, put your new screen in place, and replace the motherboard and battery. Reconnect all the cables and cameras. Attach the cable for the new display then replace the screws.
Before going any further, this is a good opportunity to test if the new display is working. Turn on the tablet, check you get a picture, and that the touch functionality is operating as normal.
Assuming all is okay, return the back casing to how it was originally. Then glue the screen on, and use clothes pegs to hold it in place while it dries.
Is It Worth Trying to Replace a Broken Tablet Screen?
While it’s usually possible to replace a broken tablet screen, it’s not always easy. Whether it’s worth it depends largely on how much a replacement display will cost you, compared to the price of just buying a new tablet.
While you might enjoy the challenge, fixing your own electronic devices is always going to be a risk. It’s usually much cheaper than buying a new tablet or paying a repair shop, but if you get it wrong, then it’s money down the drain.
The most important thing is to do your research before you start. If it’s too expensive or beyond your abilities to fix your tablet yourself, it’s best to find out sooner rather than later.