Sony WH-1000XM4 Touch Sensor Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the touch sensor on the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones.

Ensure the headphones are powered off and discharged.

As a precaution utilize the antistatic wrist strap to avoid damaging any of the electronic components.

Before beginning any repairs, press and hold the power button on the left ear cup for about 2 seconds until the blue light turns off.
Place your headphones onto a work surface, ear pads facing up.

Use your thumb to depress the RIGHT ear pad near the long outer edge, creating a gap between the cushion and the frame.
Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap you've created, between the edge of the cushion and the frame.
Pivot the spudger down to unclip the long edge of the ear pad.
Repeat around perimeter of ear pad until it is loose.
When the first clip disconnects, you'll hear an audible clicking sound.
This may take a considerable amount of force. If the cushion won't click out of place, move your spudger to different points along the long edge.

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the four 8.4 mm screws securing the right ear cup cover.

Flip the headphones over, ear cups facing down.
Use your fingers to lift up and flip over the right ear cup cover.
Don't try to completely remove the cover just yet—it's still attached with the touch cable.

Grip the touch ribbon cable and pull it straight out of its connector on the main board to remove it.
Remove the ear cup cover with the touch sensor attached.
The green touch sensor circuit board is glued to the ear cup cover.
Repeat steps in reverse order to reassemble after replacing the touch sensor.