Replacing the volume controller/earpiece cable

Galaxy S3 Repair guide

Galaxy S3 - Replacing the volume controller/earpiece cable

30 min.
Medium
19 Steps

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The volume controller or earpiece isn’t working

In this repair guide, we show you how to replace your Samsung Galaxy S3’s defective earpiece/volume controller on your own. You need this repair if you can’t hear the person you’re talking to or the call is very quiet. You also need it if the volume up/down buttons aren’t working.

Required tools

For storing screws

For storing screws

We recommend storing your screws so you don’t mix up the various screws and small parts.
from €10.99 on Amazon
Menda ESD Spudger

Menda ESD Spudger

You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.
from €26.38 on Amazon
Steel Laboratory Spatula

Steel Laboratory Spatula

You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.
on Amazon
Phillips PH00 screwdriver

Phillips PH00 screwdriver

You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.
from €10.84 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the Galaxy S3

Steps

19 Steps

Removing the back cover

Removing the back cover

Step 1

Removing the battery

Removing the battery

Step 2

Removing the SIM card

Removing the SIM card

Step 3

Removing the speaker/headphone output

Removing the speaker/headphone output

Step 4

Disconnecting the connectors

Disconnecting the connectors

Step 5

Removing the logic board

Removing the logic board

Step 6

Removing the Wi-Fi antenna

Removing the Wi-Fi antenna

Step 7

Removing the volume controller/earpiece cable

Removing the volume controller/earpiece cable

Step 8

Installing the Wi-Fi antenna

Installing the Wi-Fi antenna

Step 9

Installing the logic board

Installing the logic board

Step 10

Connecting the connections

Connecting the connections

Step 11

Installing the speaker/headphone output

Installing the speaker/headphone output

Step 12

Attaching the plastic cover

Attaching the plastic cover

Step 13

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Step 14

Installing the battery

Installing the battery

Step 15

Attaching the back cover

Attaching the back cover

Step 16

Removing the plastic cover

Removing the plastic cover

Step 17

Installing the volume controller/earpiece cable

Installing the volume controller/earpiece cable

Step 18

Final test

Step 19

Getting started with the repair of your Galaxy S3

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

19 steps

Removing the back cover
Insert the spudger into the gap next to the headphones. Carefully lift the back cover. There are 16 clips on the outside under the back cover. You have to disconnect them by moving the spudger around the entire smartphone one time. Alternatively, you can detach the back cover using your fingernails.

Then you can take off the back cover.
Removing the battery
If your Samsung Galaxy’s still on, turn it off now by holding down the standby button for about three seconds and following the prompt on the display.

Now use the spudger or your fingertip to lift the battery (see figure 1) and then remove it (see figure 2).
Removing the SIM card
Use the spudger or your finger to push the SIM card all the way into the slot (see figure 1). After a gentle click, the SIM card will come out (see figure 2).

Now you can pull it out with your fingers.

Repeat this process if you’ve installed a microSD card.
Removing the speaker/headphone output
First, disconnect the connector on the speaker/headphone output cable.
Speaker/headphone output
Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.

Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figure 1).

Now use the spudger to carefully lift the speaker from the side (see figure 2).
Disconnecting the connectors
Now you can disconnect the following four connectors. Be very careful (see figure 1).
LCD
Volume controller/earpiece
Front camera
Wi-Fi
Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.

Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figures 2 to 5).
Removing the logic board
Unscrew the screw holding the logic board in place (see figure 1).
1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw

Now you can carefully lift the logic board using the spudger (see figure 2) and remove it by hand (see figure 3). The rear camera sometimes sticks a little bit. Be careful.
Removing the Wi-Fi antenna
Carefully insert the pointed tip of the laboratory spatula below the Wi-Fi antenna. Lift it a little bit at a time (see figure 1).

As soon as the antenna is fully detached, you can take the little green sticker off of one side (see figure 2).

Now you can remove the entire cable set.
Removing the volume controller/earpiece cable
Using the pointed tip of the spudger, carefully push the volume button out of the frame and put it in a compartment of your organizer tray (see figure 1).

Insert the pointed tip of the laboratory spatula between the volume up/down buttons on the cable set and the frame to detach the cable (see figure 2).

Now carefully lift the earpiece using the spudger (see figure 3). Then you have to carefully detach the cable set using the spatula or spudger (see figures 4 and 5).
The cable set is sometimes firmly glued on. Some hot air can help.

Now you can remove the cable set with your fingers.
Installing the Wi-Fi antenna
Now install the Wi-Fi antenna and route the cable into the appropriate duct.

Then stick the transparent green sticker on the cable.

Installing the logic board
Now put the logic board back in the frame. Start with the rear camera connected to the logic board. Once it’s fitted correctly, you can install the rest of the logic board (see figure 1).

Make sure the LCD cable and front camera cable don’t get under the logic board.

Use the picture to check whether your logic board is aligned correctly (see figure 2).

Now fasten the screw for the logic board (see figure 2).
1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
Connecting the connections
Now plug the following four connectors into the corresponding connections. Use your finger to carefully press them into place. Only use as much pressure as you need for the contacts to gently click into place.
LCD
Volume controller/earpiece
Front camera
Wi-Fi
Installing the speaker/headphone output
Now put the speaker back in (see figure 1).

If it’s fitted properly, you can connect the connector (see figure 2).
Attaching the plastic cover
Now put on the plastic cover and make sure that it clicks into place properly (see figure 1).

Then screw it on (see figure 2).
10 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws
Inserting the SIM and microSD cards
Now slide the SIM card and the microSD card, if you have one, back into the corresponding slots.
Installing the battery
Put the battery back in. The +/- symbols have to be touching the contact point.
Attaching the back cover
It’s very easy to put the back cover back on. Put it on in the correct position and press it on all the way around the phone until all the clips have clicked into place.
Removing the plastic cover
Remove the 10 Phillips screws that hold the plastic cover in place (see figure 1).
10 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws

Use the spudger or your fingernails to lift the cover from the inside. Only insert the spudger about 2 millimeters (see figure 2) and carefully lift the cover until it’s detached (see figure 3).
Installing the volume controller/earpiece cable
Now install the cable set’s volume bar exactly in the appropriate position. You have to fit it properly so the volume buttons won’t get stuck later.

Now stick on the rest of the cable set so the earpiece is fitted properly in the appropriate position.
Final test
Start your Samsung Galaxy S4 and enter the following key combination:
*#0*#

Then press the call button.

Now you can check all the functions.

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