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Sony WH-1000XM5 & XM4 Hinge Repair Cost in 2026: One Side or Both?
Short answer: A Sony WH-1000XM5 hinge repair at JoesGE costs $130 for one side or $170 for both sides in 2026. A WH-1000XM4 hinge repair is $90. Every price includes parts, labor, and shipping both ways, and you don't pay until the repair is done.
Cracked hinges are the most common repair we do on Sony headphones, by a wide margin. Below are our current prices, why the hinges break, whether to fix one side or both, and every other XM5 and XM4 repair we offer.
Sony WH-1000XM5 and XM4 Hinge Repair Prices (2026)
| Hinge Repair | WH-1000XM5 | WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Left hinge swivel | $130 | $90 |
| Right hinge swivel | $130 | $90 |
| Left + right hinges | $170 (save $90) | — |
| Full headband assembly | $180 | — |
Prices are current as of October 2026 and may change. The price shown on our repair form when you submit your request is the price you pay.
Have the newer WH-1000XM6? We repair those too. An XM6 hinge is $220 per side; choose the WH-1000XM6 on our repair form.
Why Sony XM5 and XM4 Hinges Break
On the WH-1000XM5, each ear cup hangs from a thin plastic swivel arm at the end of the headband. Every time you put the headphones on, take them off, or twist the ear cups flat to fit them in the case, that arm flexes. Over time it develops a hairline crack, usually where the arm meets the ear cup, and eventually the ear cup hangs loose or snaps off. It isn't just us seeing this: Tech Times reported on a SoundGuys survey in which nearly one in four XM5 owners said their hinge had broken.
On the WH-1000XM4, the folding hinge swivel is the weak point. It cracks from the same daily folding and twisting, and the ear cup starts to wobble or won't stay in position.
A cracked hinge can also pull on the thin wire that runs through it, which can cause sound to cut out on one side when you move the headband. We check that wire on every hinge repair.
Should You Fix One Hinge or Both?
If only one side is cracked, a single hinge repair is all you need. But both hinges go through the same wear, so when one breaks, the other is often already starting to crack. Look closely at the "good" side where the arm meets the ear cup. If you see a hairline crack or white stress marks in the plastic, our Left + Right Hinge repair is $170, compared with $260 to do each side separately, and it saves you from shipping your headphones in a second time.
All Sony WH-1000XM5 and XM4 Repair Prices
Every price includes parts, labor, testing, and shipping both ways with a free prepaid label.
| Repair | Common Symptoms | WH-1000XM5 | WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaker | No sound on one side, crackling, distortion | $120 | $90 |
| Charging Port | Won't charge, loose USB-C connection | $120 | $120 |
| Power Board | Won't turn on, turns off randomly | $130 | $140 |
| Bluetooth Board | Won't pair, keeps disconnecting | $130 | $120 |
| Battery | Drains fast, won't hold a charge | $115 | $120 |
| Audio Port | No sound with a wired cable | $110 | — |
| Headband Leather | Peeling, cracked, or torn headband padding | — | $115 |
| Ear Pads | Cracked, flaking, or flattened pads | $60 | $60 |
Is It Worth Repairing Sony XM5 or XM4 Headphones?
Usually, yes. The WH-1000XM5 launched at $399.99, and the newer WH-1000XM6 costs about $400 or more. A $130 to $170 hinge repair keeps a pair that otherwise works perfectly, with your noise cancelling, battery, and sound all intact.
To be fair, the XM5 now goes on sale for around $200 new. If your headphones have several problems at once, like a broken hinge, a weak battery, and worn ear pads, replacing them may make more sense. Send them in for diagnosis and we'll tell you honestly before any work is done.
Prefer to Fix It Yourself?
If you're comfortable opening up your headphones, we sell the same parts we use:
- Sony WH-1000XM5 OEM hinge swivel
- Sony WH-1000XM5 hinge swivel replacement part
- Sony WH-1000XM4 swivel replacement part
The XM5 hinge has a small 16-pin connector inside that is easy to damage, so if you'd rather not risk it, our mail-in repair is the safer option.
How Our Mail-In Repair Works
- Fill out the repair form. Choose your Sony model and the problem on our repair form.
- Ship it free. We email you a prepaid shipping label.
- We repair and test it. Our USA-based repair team completes the repair and fully tests your headphones.
- Pay and get it back. You pay after the repair is complete, and we ship your headphones back with free return shipping and a 100-day warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fix a broken Sony WH-1000XM5 hinge?
$130 for one side or $170 for both sides at JoesGE, including parts, labor, and shipping both ways.
How much does it cost to fix a broken Sony WH-1000XM4 hinge?
$90, including parts, labor, and shipping both ways.
Why does the Sony XM5 hinge crack?
The thin plastic swivel arm that holds each ear cup flexes every time you put the headphones on or fold them flat. Over months of daily use, that stress causes a crack where the arm meets the ear cup.
Can I still use my XM5 with a cracked hinge?
For a while, maybe, but the crack usually spreads until the ear cup falls off, and it can damage the wire inside the hinge. Repairing it early is cheaper than waiting for further damage.
Will Sony fix a cracked XM5 hinge under warranty?
Sony's standard warranty covers defects for a limited time after purchase, but cracks are often treated as physical damage. Check with Sony first if your headphones are new. If you're out of warranty or Sony declines, we can fix it.
Do I have to pay before sending my headphones in?
No. You only pay after your repair has been completed successfully.
See all Sony WH-1000XM5 repair services or Sony WH-1000XM4 repair services, or start your repair now.