Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement

What you need

Step 1 How to get to your optical drive (follow link in the instructions)

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement, How to get to your optical drive (follow link in the instructions): step 1, image 1 of 1

Xbox 360 S Optical Drive Replacement
In order to get to the laser to replace it you first have to remove the disk drive.
The link at the top is an IFIXIT guide that helps you to remove and replace the optical disk drive.

Edit

Step 2 (OPTIONAL) Desoldering

For a new laser lens that comes with an anti-static solder joint consult the video guide to remove the solder joint.
https://youtu.be/iL8wVC9PLBk
When you purchase a new lens some come with the solder joint and some do not.
In the case that it does you'll need to desolder it. We provided a video to help you.

Edit

Step 3 Start of the repair - how to get to the laser

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement, Start of the repair - how to get to the laser: step 3, image 1 of 3

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement, Start of the repair - how to get to the laser: step 3, image 2 of 3

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement, Start of the repair - how to get to the laser: step 3, image 3 of 3

Now that you have completed steps 1 and 2
Remove the elastic band on the disk drive.

Edit

Step 4

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

With the underside exposed, identity the 4 main screws.
Remove these 4 screws.
Remove the cover to expose the assembly

Edit

You first have to detach the foam on the front in order to take the cover off because the foam is gluing the two halves together. Just slide a spudger underneath it along the bottom and sides, making sure you're actually going underneath it and not tearing it.

Annaliese P - Aug 24, 2023 Reply

Step 5

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

Locate the three ribbons connected to the board.
Use the plastic spudger to unclamp the ribbons from the board.

Edit

For the smaller two cables, push the brown plastic piece away from the white piece to release. For the bigger cable, the brown piece is on a small hinge and you need to rotate it towards the white piece to release.

Annaliese P - Aug 24, 2023 Reply

Step 6

The ribbons will now be able to slip out. With the tweezers, gently pull the ribbons to completely detach them.

Edit

Step 7

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

Locate the screw that holds the motherboard to the disk drive
Using your screwdriver, remove the motherboard screw.

Edit

Step 8

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

Use the spudger's flat side to get under the biggest plastic pin on edge of the board.
Push the pin backwards and off of the board.
Using your spudger again, push the second smaller pin backwards and off of the board.
Then, slide the board away from the pin slightly to be free of the last plastic element (the black corner thing).

Edit

Step 9

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3

With the board freed from it's trappings, locate the pin securing the wires connected the board.
Be careful to not yank the motherboard or else the wires will rip from their sockets
Use your spudger to press this pin backwards.
Lift the entire board up to free the wires.
Lay the motherboard adjacent to the disk drive.

Edit

Step 10

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

Locate the 4 circular hex screws that secure the laser rail assembly.
Using your T6 hex screw driver remove these 4 screws.

Edit

This was a T6 for my drive

Erik Mauk - Oct 29, 2022 Reply

Yeah, it's a T6, not T7.

Annaliese P - Oct 29, 2023 Reply

Step 11

Lift the rail assembly out of the disk drive. Set the disk drive aside.

Edit

Step 12

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

Flip the laser rail assembly over to expose the screws.
Remove the screw connecting the laser lens to the plastic fastener.

Edit

Step 13

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3

Remove the screw connecting the metal fastener to the rail.
Remove the metal fastener that holds the rod to the rail after removing the screw.

Edit

Step 14

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

Push the rail end to the side and out from under the metal latch.
Slide the lens off the rail. Set aside the rail assembly.

Edit

Step 15

Using the spudger, release the plastic clamp holding the ribbon to the laser lens.
Using your fingers gently pull the ribbon out of the plastic clamp.

Edit

Step 16

This is the lens
Remove the screw holding the metal fastener to the old lense.
Remove the now unsecured metal fastener.

Edit

Step 17

Connect the ribbon to the replacement lens by sliding it in place then closing the plastic fastener.
Place the removed metal fastener on the new laser lens and use the removed screw to secure the fastener to the replacement lens.

Edit

The lens has strong magnets in it that will attract the screw unless you're using a magnetic screwdriver of the exact right size. I also had to tape the back of the lens to the table so it didn't move, as well as tape the bracket in the right place.

Annaliese P - Dec 29, 2023 Reply

Step 18

Slide the replacement lens onto the right rail
Make sure to clip the other side of the lens onto the left rail

Edit

Step 19

Slide the unsecured right rail back under the metal latch. (metal latch is pointed to by the arrow)
Place the metal fastener removed from the rail previously back in position and secure it with the screw that was removed.

Edit

Step 20

Retrieve the plastic fastener and the accompanying screw.
Reattach the plastic fastener to the laser lens and use your philips head screw driver to re-secure the screw. The lens should now be attached to the rail.

Edit

Step 21

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 21, image 3 of 3

Position the rail assembly within the disk drive
Use the 4 previously removed screws to secure the position.

Edit

Step 22

Place the motherboard back in position.
Use the plastic pins to resecure the motherboard back to the disk drive.
Refer to steps 8 & 9 if more pictures for assistance are needed.
Just work backwards starting with only the first picture in 9, securing the wires into their enclosure using their pin.
Then work backwards through the pictures in step 8.

Edit

Step 23

Xbox 360 S Laser Lens Replacement: step 23, image 3 of 3

Reattach the 3 ribbon wires to the motherboard.
These are the 3 wires that were detached in steps 5 & 6
If more assistance is needed work backwards completely through steps 6 and then 5.
Reattach the screw removed from the motherboard in step 7. This is the only screw that'll completely secure the motherboard to the disk drive.