How to Replace the Left and Right Ear Hook on the Beats Powerbeats 3 Wireless in-ear Earbuds (DIY Repair Guide)

Does your Beats Powerbeats 3 in-ear earbuds have a broken or loose ear hook? The ear hooks on these devices tend to break at the base. If you’re experiencing a similar issue, it’s time to replace the ear hooks to restore functionality and comfort.

In this DIY repair guide, we show you how to replace a broken or loose ear hook in the Beats Powerbeats 3 in-ear earbuds yourself. Below, you will find all the tools required for this repair, along with the OEM spare parts.

Video Tutorial

Here are the video tutorials for replacing the left and right ear hooks on the Beats Powerbeats 3 earbuds. The repair process is very similar for both sides. We will highlight the minor differences that you need to remember while repairing the headphones yourself.

• How to Replace the Left Ear Hook on Beats Powerbeats 3 Earbuds | Step-by-Step Repair Guide

• How to Replace the Right Ear Hook on Beats Powerbeats 3 Earbuds | Step-by-Step Repair Guide

Repair Difficulty

Easy / Requires 20-30 minutes to complete.

This repair requires carefully handing sharp tools, delicate internal components, and controlled heating. You don’t need technical skills or prior experience to complete this repair. With the right tools, a bit of patience, and attention to detail, you can replace the broken or loose ear hook on the Beats Powerbeats 3 in-ear earbuds at home.

Replacement Parts You’ll Need

Restore the form, functionality, and comfort of your Beats Powerbeats 3 in-ear earbuds with original replacement parts. Select the OEM spares from the drop-down menu below to bring your device back to peak working condition.

• Beats By Dre Powerbeats 3 Wireless Repair Replacement - Parts

• Beats Powerbeats 3 Ear Hook Repair Kit – Left & Right + Tools & Glue

Looking for another spare part? Browse the Joe’s GE Parts Catalog for the Beats Powerbeats 3 to find genuine replacement parts for your earbuds.

Tools You’ll Need

Before starting the Beats Powerbeats 3 ear hook replacement, gather the following tools. Using the correct instruments will help you complete the repair successfully. We used the following tools and recommend them for a safe, professional-quality DIY fix at home.

• 1.5 mm Philips Screwdriver
• 1.5mm Flathead Screwdriver
• Flexible Pry Tool
• Silicone Adhesive
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Heat Gun
• Heat-proof Anti-skid Rubber Work Mat

Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing the Rubber Ear Hook on the Beats Powerbeats 3 at Home

In this detailed DIY repair guide, we'll show you how to replace a broken or loose ear hook on your Beats Powerbeats 3 earbuds. The repair process is similar for both earbuds, and we'll highlight any differences between the two sides. Follow each step carefully and use the accompanying images as a visual reference to complete the repair with confidence.

Step 1: Remove the Left or Right Outside Covers

1.1. Apply heat to the outer cover with a heat gun set at 140°F (60°C) for around 30 seconds. Move the heat gun around to heat up the underlying adhesive uniformly, without melting the plastic housing or frying up the circuits.

1.2. Use a thin pry tool or your fingernail to lift up the flat edge of the cover.

1.3. With the main part of the cover lifted, heat up the rounded edge then lift the cover entirely away from the housing.

Ninja Repair Tip: When removing the outer cover from the left earbud, make sure the plastic piece covering the PCB is not stuck to the outer cover. Otherwise, you may accidentally tear the antenna connected to the PCB, which could require replacing the entire PCB.

Step 2: Extract the Damaged Ear Hooks

The internal components slightly differ between the left and right sides. For this step, we’ll start from the left earbud. The instructions for the left and right sides are labeled with L and R.

Left Ear Hook Extraction

L.1. Apply heat to the blob of adhesive covering the antenna, then peel it away with a flathead screwdriver.

L.2. Insert a flathead screwdriver under the antenna and gently peel it away from the earbud housing. Be careful not to tear the antennal, especially at its thinnest point in the center.

L.3. Remove the cover for the button with your fingers and set it aside.

L.4. Extract the plastic PCB cover. Insert a flathead screwdriver between the charger port and the PCB and gently pry upward. Be careful not to put pressure on the PCB or you may damage the circuits.

L.5. Heat the adhesive holding the PCB at the 2 corners. Make sure the heat is low to avoid damaging the PCB.

L.6. Insert a flathead screwdriver under the charging port and push upward to dislodge the PCB from the earbud housing. Make sure not to damage the port. Once the board starts to lift, insert the flathead screwdriver into the slot on the side to pry up the PCB from the plastic housing.

Essential Note: Once the PCB comes off the earbud housing, remove any existing adhesive patches from the housing. This ensures a snug fit during reassembly. Apply gentle heat to soften the glue and peel them away with a flathead screwdriver.

L.7. Unfasten the single screw holding the ear hook with a 1.5 mm Phillips screwdriver.

L.8. Remove the broken ear hook with a flathead screwdriver.

Right Ear Hook Extraction

R.1. Lift the battery up and out of the housing on the side opposite from where the wires attach to it in order to reveal the small Phillips head screw holding the ear hook in place. Then remove the screw with a 1.5 mm Phillips screwdriver. 

R.2. Push the broken stub of the ear hook with a flathead screwdriver.

Step 3: Install a New Ear Hook

The internal components slightly differ between the left and right sides. For this step, we’ll start from the left earbud. The instructions for the left and right sides are labeled with L and R.

Left Ear Hook Installation

L.1. Grab a new left ear hook, then slide the base into the groove on the earbud housing.

L.2. Secure the new ear hook with a single 1.5 mm Phillips screw.

L.3. Press the PCB back into the earbud housing. Make sure it’s nice and flush with the housing.

L.4. Reinstall the plastic cover.

L.5. Stick the antenna over the black plastic cover. Make sure the notch in the antenna aligns with the bump on the cover.

L.6. Slide in the button pusher.

Right Ear Hook Installation

R.1. Slide the new ear hook into its place and reinsert the small Phillips head screw. 

R.2. Push the battery back down into its place and make sure none of the wires are coming out of the housing.

Step 4: Reinstall the Outer Cover

4.1. Heat up the adhesive left on the inside of the main housing and outer cover and use a flathead screwdriver to scrape the old adhesive.

4.2. Put a thin line of glue around the outside edge of the main housing. Keep the line as thin as possible but make sure that it is fully connected around the edge of the housing to ensure the best water sealing possible.

4.3. Press the outer cover and the earbud housing with your fingers to ensure a proper seal as the adhesive cures.

4.4. Wipe off any excess adhesive with isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber cloth.

Congratulations! Your Beats Powerbeats 3 In-ear Earbuds are Ready to Use

You have successfully replaced the ear hook on your Beats Powerbeats 3 in-ear earbuds. Wait 24 hours for the new adhesive to cure before powering on the device and testing the audio.

If you found this guide helpful and would like to try your hand at DIY gadget repair, visit our store for essential tools and spare parts. You can also check out our at-home earbuds repair guides for other popular brands, including Beats, Bose, and Sony.

Have questions or suggestions about this repair? Text a repair ninja or email us, and we’ll reply shortly.