Cricut Explore Air 2 Motherboard Replacement

ID: 171891

Description: If you need to replace the motherboard, use...

Steps:

1. On both the left and right sides of the Cricut, locate the two internal screws.
2. Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver bit to unscrew the top 10.8 mm screw and the lower 9.1 mm screw on each side, four screws in total.

3. Rotate the Cricut so the bottom faces upwards.

4. Locate the four screws, two on the left and two on the right, with pads attached.
5. Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, remove all four of the screws and their pads.

6. Rotate the Cricut back to an upright position.

7. Gently lift the left and right sides of the Cricut's plastic shell off.

8. On the right side of the Cricut, locate the circuit board screwed in to the cover just removed.
9. Locate the four screws securing the circuit board to the shell.
10. Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to unscrew each of the four 10 mm screws.

11. Gently unplug the connector from the circuit board, freeing the right side of the plastic shell completely.

12. On both the left and right sides of the back plastic panel.
13. Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, unscrew each of the four 5mm screws.

14. Wedge a plastic pryer tool next to the left side of the back panel.
15. Gently pry the left side of the back door from the rest of the machine.
16. Repeat with the right side of the back door to completely remove the back panel.

17. On both the left and right sides, locate the screws securing the top door's hinge.
18. Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the two 6.5 mm screws on each side, four in total.

19. Gently lift the lid off of the Cricut.

20. Locate the screws on the corners of the metal interior plate on both the left and right sides.
21. Unscrew the two the 8 mm screws on each side, four in total.

22. Gently lean the metal interior and all that comes with it backwards, exposing the bottom plastic shell of the Cricut.

23. Locate the screws securing the front door hinge to the bottom plate of the Cricut.
24. Unscrew each of the four 5 mm screws on each side, 8 in total.

25. Gently remove the front door from the bottom plate of the Cricut.

26. Locate the plug above the motor on the left side of the Cricut.
27. Gently unplug the two wires from the plug.

28. Locate the large green board attached to the plastic base plate of the Cricut.
29. This is the motherboard.

30. Identify the five screws securing the motherboard to the plastic base plate.
31. Using a Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove each of these 10.3 mm screws, five in total.

32. Insert your hand underneath the motherboard and gently push upwards, unadhering the tape from the base plate and freeing the motherboard from the plastic base plate.
33. Do not use excessive force, as the motherboard is fragile and there will be slight resistance from the tape. Use gentle pressure while pushing upwards and the tape will unadhere easily.