VTech Little Apps Tablet Screen Replacement

Written By: Dakota Wiersma
  • Comments: 1
VTech Little Apps Tablet Screen Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

11

Time Required

35 - 45 minutes

Introduction

The screen of the device is attached to the motherboard by a ribbon cable, which is a fragile piece of circuitry. This guide will help you in removing the screen from the motherboard without damaging these elements.

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    • Remove the 9.9 mm screw covering the batteries with a PH1 driver head.

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    • Use a plastic opening tool to pry the batteries out of their holding.

    • If replacing your batteries with new ones, be careful to insert them as indicated on the device.

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    • Position the VTech Little Apps Tablet face-down on a flat surface so that you can clearly see the back of the device.

    • Remove all seven 9.6 mm screws located around the perimeter of the back cover with a PH1 driver head.

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    • Gently remove the back cover then flip it 180 degrees so that the back cover of the device is now face-down.

    • Proceed with caution as there are wires attaching the back cover to the front cover of the device that could be easily detached.

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    • Unscrew the two 7.3 mm screws using a PH0 driver head.

    • Gently lift the beige circuit board and set aside.

    • Be sure to not damage the wires connecting the circuit board to the motherboard, you are only creating space to work in.

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    • Unscrew three 7.3 mm panhead screws with the PH0 driver.

    • Remove the red-brown washer after removing the screws.

    • Remove the black foam insert and set aside.

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    • Unscrew the 7.3 mm screw fastening the LED circuit board to the device shell with a PH0 driver head.

    • Be careful when rescrewing circuit boards. Too much pressure or too tight of screws could damage them.

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    • Gently lift both LED circuit board and the white glass light refractor panel away from the device.

    • Separate the LED circuit board and light refractor panel by gently pulling apart. Place the light panel to the side.

    • Skip the next step if you are proceeding with this guide as a part of the Screen Replacement.

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    • Carefully desolder the LED leads (labeled "R", "+" and "B" on the circuit board) to disconnect the LED from the circuit board.

    • Replace the LED and solder the new connection to the LED circuit board.

    • Refer to the iFixit Soldering Guide for assistance.

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    • Remove the three 7.3mm screws securing motherboard to the device shell.

    • When resecuring the motherboard, avoid over-tightening the screws. Too much pressure could damage the motherboard.

    • Pay attention to the setup of the light-blue ribbon cable located under the motherboard, and use this information for reassembly.

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    • Carefully lift both the screen and motherboard, to access to the ribbon cable underneath.

    • Use a heat gun (or hair dryer) to apply low heat to the ribbon cable attachment on the motherboard.

    • Avoid overheating the ribbon cable and motherboard or they may melt.

    • Carefully use a nylon spudger to separate the ribbon cable from the motherboard and remove the screen.

    • This step may require two sets of hands; having a friend always helps!

Conclusion

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

Author

Dakota Wiersma

Member since: 10/02/16

226 Reputation

One comment

Where do you get a replacement LCD?

Timothy Miller -