GoPro Hero4 Black Expansion Port/Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Jeffrey Goethe

Comments: 14

GoPro Hero4 Black Expansion Port/Motherboard Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

15 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a malfunctioning motherboard or expansion port. Because replacing either part requires the same steps, they are both combined into one guide.

Tools

Parts

GoPro Hero4 Black Expansion Port

Step 1

Remove the faceplate by carefully prying around the edge using a plastic opening tool. Loosen the clips on the edge, then pull the faceplate off.
Use the tweezers to lift the faceplate from the rest of the device.
The power button on the front of the GoPro may pop off. Ensure to align it properly during reassembly.

Step 2

Using a #00 Phillips head screwdriver, remove the following screws:
One 4.6 mm screw
Three 8.2 mm screws
Two 6.1 mm screws

Any more detailed specs on these screws available? Need to but a replacement set, where to buy? How can I find them, size of the head, and the depth etc! Thanks!!

bredekorsmo - 30/06/18

Please note the 4.6 mm screw goes aver the battery door not next to the screen.

Peter Murphy - 31/07/18

+1 on the 4.6mm screw being bottom left not top left

Piers Goodhew - 10/01/19

´+1, broke my shell because of this.

Sara Väinölä - 19/01/20

There is absolutely no need to remove those 2 screws under the lens… -.-

Krzysztof Gallus - 26/08/20

Step 3

Insert a metal spudger between the back plastic housing and the camera board assembly. Working around the edge to be careful of the inner components, carefully remove the camera.

Step 4

Using tweezers, remove the ribbon strip by pulling on it. This will remove the connection.
Push down on the three wires with the metal spudger and the clip will disconnect from the motherboard.
The clip must be pulled up and away from the motherboard. Attempting to slide it out will damage the clip.
During reassembly, remove the black tape on the ribbon cable, turn the camera upside down so you can see the port, and reinsert the cable with tweezers. It's a lot easier!

Removing the tiny gold ribbon strip and the wires from the right hand side as shown in the image is an unnecessary step to change out the lens. In fact it is recommendable to NOT remove these, especially the gold ribbon strip that is shown in the red box. It is very difficult to get this ZIF cable back in place once it has been removed. Simply open the camera carefully so as not to pull on this cable and the wires and proceed with the other steps.

Greg Ryder - 09/10/17

I agree that the 2 cables shown above do NOT need to be removed in order to replace the image sensor. Just keep the internal assembly (circuit boards) close to the black housing and at a 90 degree angle. Don’t put any strain on the cables though! You can still access the 4 screws holding the sensor board in place as well as pull up the connector attaching the sensor to the mainboard. You’ll save a lot of time (and headache) by leaving those cables attached.

Mark Shelton - 20/04/18

If you are having trouble connecting the Ribbon cable in particular, use tape to hold buttons in place, remove battery housing & connect the cables up to the battery housing. Then carefully reinsert the battery housing, lay the motherboard down on the casing slightly overhanging the socket end to get to the screw holes.

Peter Murphy - 31/07/18

Oh my god ! this ribbon strip is the devil ! I turn mad !!!!!!!

kreypo - 15/10/18

those ribbon-ports have a lever to release and secure ribbon. DO NOT PULL directly nor insert ribbons without pulling levers up. once they are on right place, push levers down again (one for each ribbon)

Carlos Ponce - 27/06/19

I failed on reinserting the ribbon cable here. The “ZIF” port under the LCD was seemingly glued shut, and I ended up damaging the cable trying to reinsert it. I recommend trying one of the approaches above, including leaving these cables connected or removing the battery module from the case to make this step easier.

Sparr Risher - 24/08/20

Step 5

Using a plastic opening tool, separate the camera sensor's connector from the motherboard.

Step 6

Using a #00 Phillips head screwdriver, remove the four 3.0mm screws holding the camera sensor.

good job!

only it’s unnecessary to unscrew the couple of 6.1 mm screws of yellow circles in this kind of fixing, but dissipator remain in position, with another screw on the other side.

Daniele Ribolla - 28/02/20

Step 7

Using #00 phillips head screwdriver, remove the 3.0mm screw.
Using the plastic opening tool, unclip the LCD ribbon from the motherboard.

Step 8

Using tweezers, lift the motherboard from the midframe housing
It may feel like the board is still attached with a screw or two. Gentle, but firm wiggling will free the board.

Step 9

Using #00 phillips head screwdriver, remove the three 4.0mm screws.
Using plastic opening tool, unclip Expansion Port chip from motherboard
A metal piece of the frame sits underneath the bottom screw, which will detach upon removing the screw.