pi-top [3] Hub Replacement

Looking to replace the hub in your pi-top [3]? Here's the step-by-step guide

Following the disassembly steps will cause you to remove many of the Warranty Void Stickers placed within the device. Carrying out these steps will void your warranty.

Before performing any steps, read through the entirety of the instructions and watch the video above.

  1. Unplug the power lead from your pi-top
  2. Open the lid and slide out the keyboard
  3. Remove the cooling bridge screw and then remove the cooling bridge
  4. Shutdown the battery of the pi-top
    1. Press and hold the power button until you see the red light on the hub
    2. Release the power button for one second
    3. Hold on the power button until you see the red light blink twice more and then stay solid for 3 seconds.
    4. Press and hold the power button for 1 second to make sure the battery is indeed shut down - there should be no lights that come on
  5. Slide-out the hub from the Raspberry Pi
  6. Remove the 4 screws fixing the pi-top Hub to the sliding rails of the pi-top
  7. Turn the hub over, bringing the HDMI connector up and over to the left side, revealing 3 cables underneath. Remove the warranty sticker.
  8. Disconnect the Display Cables. On each connector, pull the black bars away from their white body's. This will release the cable.
    1. The Connectors are very fragile and require very little force to remove. Use two fingers to apply pressure evenly to both ends of the black bar.
  9. Disconnect the Peripheral Cable. Tilt the black bar up and away from the PCB to release the cable.
  10. The old hub can now be removed from the pi-top. Grab the new hub.
  11. Collect the Display Cables and loop them so that the copper side is facing up (away from the PCB).
    1. The shorter cable should go into the left-most connector.
    2. Ensure that the cable is pushed all the way into the connector for a good electrical connection.
    3. Use the fingernails of two fingers to pull the black bar towards the body of the connector and secure the cable.
    4. Do the same for the other cable.
  12. Reconnect the Peripheral Cable.
    1. The copper pads should be facing towards the PCB.
    2. Ensure that the cable is pushed all the way into the connector for a good electrical connection.
    3. Tilt the black bar closed to secure the cable. 
  13. Twist the hub back with the HDMI connector going up and left.
  14. Use the screws to affix the hub to the sliding rails.
  15. Reattach the Cooling Bridge and secure it with the screw
  16. Reconnect power to the pi-top to wake up the battery