Samsung Galaxy S4 earpiece repair guide

The earpiece isn’t working

In this repair guide, we show you how to replace your Samsung Galaxy S4’s defective earpiece 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 to replace this cable set if the proximity sensor isn’t working.

Required tools

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
iDoc Tool Kit, 21 pieces

iDoc Tool Kit, 21 pieces

Do you need to repair your smartphone? This kit includes all the tools you need for professional-quality repairs, from the ESD spudger and suction cup, to screwdrivers and tweezers, as well as the iDoc magnetic pad that holds your screws and small parts in place while you work. Not sure what goes where? Don’t worry – our detailed repair guides tell you what tool to use for each step.
from €29.99 on Amazon
Phillips PH00 screwdriver

Phillips PH00 screwdriver

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

Required replacement part

Samsung Galaxy S4 Earpiece

Samsung Galaxy S4 Earpiece

on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the Galaxy S4

Steps

11 Steps

Removing the back cover

Step 1

Removing the battery

Step 2

Removing the SIM card

Step 3

Removing the plastic cover

Step 4

Removing the earpiece

Step 5

Installing the earpiece

Step 6

Attaching the plastic cover

Step 7

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Step 8

Installing the battery

Step 9

Attaching the back cover

Step 10

Final test

Step 11

Getting started with the repair of your Galaxy S4

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

11 steps

Removing the back cover
Insert the spudger into the gap next to the headphones. 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 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 plastic cover
Remove the 9 Phillips screws that hold the plastic cover in place (see figure 1).
9 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws

Lift the cover and the chrome frame to remove them. The cover is attached to the display at 14 points. Insert the spudger between the chrome frame and the display. Start at the level of the Home button (see figure 2) and move the spudger once around the entire phone to detach all connections (see figures 3 and 4). Then you can remove the midframe.
Removing the earpiece
In order to remove the earpiece and sensor cable, you have to take off the black cover on the camera by placing the pointed tip of the laboratory spatula below the cover and carefully lifting it off (see figure 1).

Now you can detach the connector. Be very careful (see figure 2).

Now grasp the earpiece and sensor cable’s connector and pull it out. You have to carefully push out the earpiece below the rear camera.

Installing the earpiece
Now put the earpiece/sensor cable back in the appropriate position (see figure 1). Carefully push the new earpiece under the rear camera.

Put the black cover over the front camera and the earpiece cable. Make sure the cover is fitted properly (see figure 2).
Attaching the plastic cover
Now put on the plastic cover and make sure that it clicks into place properly on all sides.

Then screw it on.
9 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 it’s completely clicked into place.
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.