How to Take an Xbox Apart
It’s something that at some point or another we have all wanted to know: how to take an Xbox apart. How do we break through that smooth, perfect white casing and see the complex details inside? Whether it is for modding, in the name of repair, or simply out of reckless curiosity, I can’t recommend taking an Xbox apart, unless you know how to take an Xbox apart.
Just so we’re clear, this WILL void your warranty. Also, in this process there should never be any prying. If you go through the motions properly, you won’t need that crowbar, and you definitely won’t need the chainsaw. Everything is held together by plastic tabs. This means it will all just pop apart; but also that if you’re not careful, it could break. The goal, really, is to take apart your Xbox in such a way that it can be put together again—without duct tape.
Click Here for info about disassembling and fixing your Xbox!
Alright, so the first step is to remove what is called the faceplate. This is the plastic sheet with the power button and around the disc tray. Just stick your finger in the little hole where a wired controller would go, and give it a sharp pull. It will jump right off.
The next things to go are the ventilation plates. Those are the medium gray colored plastic parts on the top and bottom of your Xbox. Yeah, the ones with all the holes. I recommend starting with the bottom one, but order doesn’t really matter. They are held in place by six little tabs each, three per side, for a total of twelve. The way to go here is to apply a little pressure to the plate, so when one of the tabs unclasps, it’ll stay that way. Then alternate sides and move towards the back, until the vent plate just pops up off.
To make a tab release its grip, you need to find it and give it a push with a pin or a thin screwdriver. These little tab things are on the inside of the Xbox, so they can be hard to reach. All of those from the bottom plate can be gotten through the ventilation holes on the sides of the casing. The top plate is more difficult, however, because three of its tabs are hidden. To access the front-most two, remove the hard drive. Around the place it clips in, there are two holes in the plate, one on either side. With your screwdriver through these holes, you will be able to jimmy those tabs open. The middle two are easy enough, just poke through the holes on the side again. In order to get one of the back tabs, pull off the little rubber pad the Xbox sits on, and you’ll find a secret little hole.
With the ventilation plates off, we are getting close. But there is another step to take an Xbox apart. Looking at the back of the console, amidst all the inputs and outputs there is a line that cuts through the middle of it all. That’s where the two halves of the casing will separate. On that line we see seven boring looking holes. As with the vent plates, these are tabs you need to open up. Again, just pull outwards on the two halves, and go down the line pushing the tabs. Each one should make a satisfying noise as the casing separates just a bit further.
Nearly there! On the front now, there are just a few more of these holding the casings together. Pushing those last tabs in, the casing halves should unclip, and be free to move separately. Inside is your Xbox, in all its bare glory. At this point you have earned major bragging rights, and should feel free to express them. Now you know how to take an Xbox apart–well the casing anyway. From here on out it’s just a matter of picking which screws you want to pull out, and what components to separate.
So there you have it, how to take your Xbox apart without the sledgehammer! Enjoy.
Click Here for info about disassembling and fixing your Xbox!