Samsung Galaxy S4 Active screen repair guide

The screen is broken or remains black.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your Galaxy S4 Active’s defective display unit on your own. You need this repair if the glass is cracked, the touchscreen no longer responds to touch, or the LCD remains black or flickers.

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
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 S4 Active

Steps

17 Steps

Removing the back cover

Step 1

Removing the battery

Step 2

Removing the SIM and microSD cards

Step 3

Removing the four metal shields

Step 4

Removing the chassis screws

Step 5

Removing the chassis

Step 6

Disconnecting the connectors

Step 7

Removing the logic board

Step 8

Preparing the new display

Step 9

Installing the logic board

Step 10

Connecting the connectors

Step 11

Installing the chassis

Step 12

Fastening the chassis screws

Step 13

Installing the four metal shields

Step 14

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Step 15

Installing the battery

Step 16

Attaching the back cover

Step 17

Getting started with the repair of your Galaxy S4 Active

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

17 steps

Removing the back cover
There are little clips attaching the back cover to the chassis. The back cover has a little recess right over the power button. Using your fingernail or the spudger, you can lift the cover here.

Carefully disconnect the back cover from the chassis.

Remove the back cover.
Removing the battery
Remove the battery with your fingers. There’s a little hollow in the chassis for lifting out the battery.

Remove the battery.
Removing the SIM and microSD cards
Remove the SIM card and the microSD card.
Removing the four metal shields
Use the steel laboratory spatula to remove the four metal shields. Use the spatula to pry the covers out of the hollows in the chassis. You can get the tip of the spatula under the covers.
Removing the chassis screws
Remove the twelve Phillips screws that attach the chassis to the display. Put the screws in a container.
12 x 3.9 mm Phillips screws
Removing the chassis
The chassis isn’t just screwed onto the display. There are also little hooks keeping it in the display. Use the steel spatula to detach the chassis.

Insert the spatula between the display and the chassis. It’s very easy to start at the power button.

Move the spatula all the way around the device.

Once the chassis is detached, remove it from the display.
Disconnecting the connectors
Disconnect the sub-board’s plug contact.

Disconnect the antenna cable.

Disconnect the connection for the display.

Disconnect the brightness sensor.

Disconnect the proximity sensor.

Disconnect the connection for the front camera.
Removing the logic board
The logic board is hooked onto the attachments for the rear camera and the vibration motor. Carefully push the logic board toward the USB port to detach it.

Carefully lift the logic board.

Remove the logic board from the enclosure.

Preparing the new display
There are thermal pads in the display enclosure to remove the heat that the chips on the logic board generate. There’s protective film on each pad.

Remove the two pieces of film.
Installing the logic board
Position the logic board in the enclosure.

Make sure no plug connections get stuck under the logic board.

The logic board is hooked onto the attachments for the rear camera and the vibration motor. Carefully push the logic board toward the top of the enclosure to click it into place.
Connecting the connectors
Connect the front camera to the logic board.

Connect the logic board to the proximity sensor.

Connect the brightness sensor.

Connect the display.

Connect the logic board to the antenna cable.

Connect the sub-board.
Installing the chassis
The chassis isn’t just screwed onto the display. There are also little hooks keeping it in the display. Press on the chassis with your fingers to secure it on the display.

Press the chassis firmly onto the entire device.
Fastening the chassis screws
Attach the chassis with the twelve Phillips screws.
12 x 3.9 mm Phillips screws
Installing the four metal shields
Using tweezers, put the four metal shields back on.

Firmly press on each cover.
Inserting the SIM and microSD cards
Insert the SIM card and the microSD card.
Installing the battery
Put the battery in the Galaxy S4 Active.
Attaching the back cover
Position the back cover on the chassis.

The back cover hooks onto the bottom of the chassis.

Carefully press the back cover on all over so the retaining clips can click into place.