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How to Replace a Dead or Dying Battery on the Sony XM3 and XM4 In-Ear Earbuds (DIY Repair Guide)
Do your Sony WF-1000XM3 or XM4 in-ear earbuds refuse to power on, require frequent charging, shut down unexpectedly before the battery reaches 1%, experience reduced playback time, or appear fully charged when plugged into a power source? If your earbuds experience any of these issues, it’s time to replace the battery.
In this DIY repair guide, we show you how to disassemble the Sony WF-1000XM4 and XM3 earbuds, replace the battery, and reassemble the device yourself. You will find all the tools that you need for this repair, along with the OEM spare parts, below.
Prefer to get your earbuds professionally fixed? Send us your Sony WF-1000XM4 or XM3 earbuds using our mail-in repair service. Follow the link, select the issues you’re experiencing, click Continue, enter your email ID, and click Get My Estimate to view the repair cost instantly.
Repair Difficulty
Moderate / Requires 30-45 minutes to complete.
This repair requires careful handling of delicate internal cables and the use of a heat gun and soldering iron. Prior experience of soldering will be helpful, but is not compulsory. With a bit of patience and attention to detail, you can replace the batteries on the Sony WF-1000XM3 and XM4 earbuds at home.
Replacement Parts You’ll Need
Restore the battery health and longevity of your Sony WF-1000XM3 and XM4 earbuds with original replacement parts. Select the OEM spares from the drop-down menu below to bring your device back to peak working condition.
- Sony WF-1000XM4 WF-1000XM3 ZeniPower Z55H Battery Replacement - Parts
Get an OEM replacement battery for your Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds today. Click the link to visit our store, then scroll down to the Customers Also Add section to purchase the original replacement part and the tools you’ll need for this repair at a discount.
Tools You’ll Need
Before starting the Sony WF-1000XM4 and XM3 battery 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.
- Thin Flexible Pry Tool
- Plastic Spudger
- 1.5mm Flathead Screwdriver
- Precision Tweezers
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Heat Gun
- RTV Silicone Adhesive
- Heat-Proof Anti-Static Rubber Work Mat
- Plastic Spring Clamp/Rubber Band
Don’t want to DIY? Let our certified techs handle the repair for you. Book your repair now.
Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Replacing the Batteries on the Sony WF-1000XM3 and XM4 Earbuds at Home
In this detailed DIY repair guide, we show you how to replace a dead or dying battery on the Sony WF-1000XM3 and XM4 earbuds yourself. Follow each step carefully and use the accompanying images as a visual guide to complete the repair with confidence.
Step 1: Open The Housing
1.1. Set your heat gun to 200°C (392°F) and apply heat to the seam that goes all the way around the ear bud for a minute or so. Keep the heat constantly moving along the seam for around 1 minute as you do not want to melt the plastic.
1.2. Put some rubbing alcohol on the end of your thin pry tool and work it into the seam. Then work it along the seam until you've gone all the way around the earbud. You should then be able to start prying the two parts of the housing apart. When the gap is large enough, switch to your nylon spudger to finish prying the two pieces apart.
1.3. Once the pieces are loose, you can fold them open. Just be careful of the ribbon cables on one side of the housing.
Step 2: Remove The Old Battery
2.1. Slide the flat wide end of your nylon spudger underneath the top PCB and gently lift it. It's held in with a multi-pin connector that, once unclipped, should offer no resistance.
2.2. Use the pointed end of your nylon spudger to open the black locking clip on this ribbon connector. It needs to lift up and down following the arrow in the photo below.
2.3. Slide the ribbon cable out of the connector using the two tabs on the sides or by carefully grabbing it with tweezers and pulling it out. Sometimes these ribbons are glued in place, so you may need to use a bit of heat briefly to loosen the adhesive.
2.4. Use your nylon spudger to pry the PCB away from the battery gently.
2.5. Use a small flathead screwdriver, your tweezers, or a nylon spudger to pry the battery up and out of the housing.
Step 3: Install The New Battery
3.1. Lift the tabs that make contact with the battery so that they are at 45° angles.
3.2. Grab the new battery with a pair of tweezers so that you can evenly set it into the housing and use your finger to push it into place. (Make sure to put the battery in with the same side facing upwards as shown in the photo below).
3.3. Place the battery PCB onto the battery and press it into place. If the adhesive is no longer sticky on the PCB, you can use thin double-sided tape to hold the board in place.
3.4. Use your tweezers to slide the ribbon cable into it's connector and close the latch. (Make sure that the ribbon is in all the way and not at an angle. You may need to hold the ribbon cable in place with your finger whilst closing the latch.)
Step 4: Reassemble the Sony WF-1000XM3 or XM4 Earbuds
4.1. Apply a thin line of glue all the way around the ledge that is at the edge of the other piece of the housing. Make sure there are no breaks in the line,, as this will reduce the earbuds' water resistance.
4.2. Connect the multi-pin connector on the PCB to its socket while avoiding smudging any glue.
4.3. Press both halves of the housing together firmly for around 15 seconds.
4.4. Clean the excess glue off with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol.
4.5. Test the earbud. If it works, put it in a clamp or wrap it with a rubber band, then let it sit for 24 hours for the glue to cure.
Congratulations! Your Sony WF-1000XM3 and XM4 In-Ear Earbuds are Ready to Use
You have successfully replaced the batteries on the Sony WF-1000XM3 and XM4 earbuds. Check the audio quality, buttons, and Bluetooth pairing to confirm the device is working properly.
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.