Microsoft Surface Pro X SIM Card Reader Replacement

Lift the kickstand to at least a 90° angle, so that it is perpendicular to the Surface's screen. The further you open the hinge, the easier it is to access the SSD and SIM card door.

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the bottom right corner of the SSD and SIM card door, located near the bottom right corner of the Surface.

Press firmly to open the door.

Lift the SSD and SIM card door and remove it from the Surface.

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the 2.4 mm screw securing the SSD.

Use your finger or a spudger to lift the SSD just enough that it clears the edges of its recess.

Gently pull the SSD straight out of its socket.

If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.

Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the Surface’s display until the whole face is covered.

Do your best to follow the rest of the guide as described. However, once the glass is broken, it will likely continue to crack as you work, and you may need to use a metal prying tool to scoop the glass out.

Place your tablet on your work surface so that the screen is facing up.

Apply a suction cup to the screen next to the right speaker grille.

Place your hand on the screen next to the suction cup to secure the Surface while you lift up the screen.

Lift up on the suction cup to create a gap between the screen and the frame.

Insert an opening pick about 2 mm into the gap. Leave the opening pick in the gap to prevent it from resealing.

Insert a second opening pick into the gap between the screen and the frame.

Slide the pick down the right edge of the Surface to slice through the adhesive under the screen.

Leave this opening pick in the right edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Insert a third opening pick into the bottom right corner and slide it around the corner toward the bottom edge.

Slide the pick along the bottom edge of the Surface to cut through the screen adhesive.

Leave this pick in the bottom edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Insert a fourth opening pick into the bottom left corner and slide it around the corner toward the left edge.

Slide the pick along the left edge of the Surface to cut through the screen adhesive.

Leave this pick in the left edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Insert a fifth opening pick into the top left corner and slide it around the corner toward the top edge.

Slide the pick along the top edge of the Surface to cut through the screen adhesive.

Lift up the top edge of the screen so that it is at a 30° angle with the frame.

Rotate the screen so that its bottom edge is in the middle of the frame. The screen should be perpendicular to the frame.

Rotate the screen 90° so that it is facing down. Place the screen on the frame.

Lift up the corner to detach it from the screen.

Repeat the previous step for the bottom right corner.

Remove the display cable shield from the screen.

Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the right side of the display cable press connector.

Lift up the right side of the press connector to detach it from the display cable socket on the screen.

Repeat the previous step on the left side of the display cable connector to fully disconnect it from the screen.

Remove the screen from the frame.

Use an opening pick to cut through the adhesive under the grille.

Remove the speaker grille.

Repeat for the other speaker grille.

Use an opening pick to cut through the adhesive under the grille.

Remove the speaker grille.

Repeat for the other speaker grille.

Apply a few drops of high-concentration (90% or higher) isopropyl alcohol to the adhesive.

Use a cotton swab or the flat end of a spudger to scrape away the adhesive.

Use a lint-free cloth or coffee filter to wipe away any remaining adhesive.

Allow the surface to dry completely before applying replacement adhesive.

Apply new adhesive strips or pre-cut adhesive to the frame where the old screen adhesive was located.

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the SIM card reader press connector from its socket.

Use an opening pick to cut through the adhesive under the SIM card reader's cable.

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 1.9 mm screws securing the SIM card reader.

Use a pair of tweezers to pull the screw hole tab opposite the cable toward the left edge of the Surface. This will detach the SIM card reader from the frame.

Remove the SIM card reader from the frame.