Valve Index Headset Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Sam Omiotek

Comments: 20

Valve Index Headset Motherboard Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the motherboard in a Valve Index VR headset.

Power off and unplug your Index before you begin your repair.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Use your hand to pull the front cover straight off of the front of the headset.
The front cover is held in place by four magnets that secure to screws in the motherboard cover.
Before installing a front cover, ensure the four screws securing the motherboard cover are installed. Otherwise, the front cover will not stay in place.

Whoever wrote this is a moron.

Sam Omiotek -

My god. Thank you. This was an extremely helpful guide. I just couldn't get it off!

Theu -

Step 2

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 5.4 mm screws securing the motherboard cover to the headset.

Step 3

Remove the motherboard cover from the headset.

Step 4

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the following eight screws from the front fascia:
Four 6.3 mm screws with fine threads
Four 6.0 mm screws with coarse threads

This is your last chance at catching the ipd adjustment groove on the right eye tube and catch the little knob on the back of the motherboard with it. (Just forgot about it myself and thankfully you can do it from this step the latest

Blecha100 -

Step 5

Use a spudger to unlock the ZIF connector at the top-left corner of the motherboard.
Disconnect the FPC ribbon cable from the motherboard.

Step 6

Use a spudger to unlock the ZIF connector at the top-right corner of the motherboard.
Disconnect the FPC ribbon cable.

Step 7

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the press connector from the bottom-left corner of the motherboard.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 8

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the press connector from the bottom-right corner of the motherboard.

Step 9

Insert an opening pick in between the front fascia and the headset.
Slide the opening pick over to separate the front fascia from the headset.

Step 10

Continue sliding the opening pick along the perimeter of the front fascia until all edges are free.

Frontblende ist sowohl oben als auch unten an zwei Stellen leicht eingeklebt.

Falls die Frontblende bei Schritt 21 nicht abgeht, könnte der Klebstoff dafür verantwortlich sein.

In dem Fall kann man ihn mit dem Plektrum von der Blende lösen.

Grober Feinmotoriker - 26/07/23

Step 11

Remove the front fascia.

Step 12

Note the seven cables that must be disconnected in the following steps before the motherboard can be removed.

note that the wheel that adjusts the distance between the eyes goes over the boar. So you will tuck the board under it.

Michael Hehe -

Step 13

Use the flat end of a spudger to unlock the wide ZIF connector on the left side of the motherboard.
Disconnect the FPC ribbon cable from the motherboard.

Step 14

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the press connector near the bottom-left edge of the motherboard.
During reassembly, be sure this cable is not trapped underneath the motherboard.

Step 15

Use your finger or an opening tool to unlock the display cable connector at the top of the motherboard.
Carefully disconnect the display cable connector.

this one is pretty difficult, and could use some more explanation (esp since the teardown video of the index skips it completely). you need to lift up on the corner of the cover, and then use the pointy end of the spudger to slowly wiggle the cable UP and out of the connector, a little at a time on each side.

Owen Smith -

Step 16

Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently disconnect the bundled cable connector from the top-right corner of the motherboard.

don't push up on the indented plastic

Jose Zamora -

This pops out towards you, do not try to push up.

Storm DPD -

thank you to the comments about not pushing up!

Aeon Faye -

Simlarily: when reassembling, line the cable up above the insert, and push slightly toward the MB. You'll hear a tiny click when it slots in.

Joj -

Step 17

Use the pointed end of a spudger to unlock the ZIF connector next to the USB port on the motherboard.
Disconnect the FPC cable from the motherboard.
During reassembly, make sure this ribbon cable is not trapped under the motherboard.

Not sure if this is on every headset, but mine had adhesive holding this cable to the motherboard and to the press connector cable. Be very careful peeling these apart, the adhesive is a little strong. Using the guitar-pick looking thing from the fix kit managed to separate them for me, but it might have been sheer luck lol.

Owen Smith -

Step 18

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the press connector below the USB port on the motherboard.
During reassembly, make sure this cable is not trapped under the motherboard.

Step 19

Use a spudger to unlock the wide ZIF connector near the right edge of the motherboard.
Disconnect the FPC ribbon cable from the motherboard.

Step 20

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the five 6.0 mm screws securing the motherboard to the headset.

These are a set of 5 coarse threaded screws.

Patrick Hartge -

Step 21

Grab the motherboard by the USB port and carefully remove it from the headset.
During reassembly, be very careful not to trap any of the previously disconnected cables under the motherboard.

During reassembly be sure to align the ipd slider with the gap on the back of the right eye tube. The ipd adjustment slider is located on the top left of the motherboard and is very easy to miss.

Failing to align that the motherboard and the eyetube will result in resistance while adjusting the ipd, as well as an incorrect ipd being used in steamVR (which doesn't feel too great).

Aux -

I took a picture of it, because it can be hard to find.

Schweinsfuss Nasenbeutler -

Here is a picture of the IPD Slider

Schweinsfuss Nasenbeutler -

Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Valve Index Answers community for help.