TCL NXTPAPER 14 (9491G) Repair Manual for End User

Table of Contents

• 1 Precautions
• 2 Icons and Instruction Notes
• 3 ESD Safety (Electrostatic Discharge)
• 4 Safety in Case of Broken Glass
• 5 Battery Safety
• 6 Factory Reset
• 7 Software Update
• 8 Function Test with Service Center
• 9 Basic Troubleshooting Guide
• 10 Contacting TCL Hotline and Service Centers
• 11 Disassembly and Reassembly

1 Precautions

• Use only demagnetized tools designed for small electronic repairs.
• Use only high-quality screwdrivers to avoid damaging screw heads.
• Always use original replacement parts. Third-party parts may not function correctly or could cause damage.
• Certain parts may require calibration after disassembly or repair. Contact an authorized TCL repair center for professional repairs. These include sensors (proximity, fingerprint), rear camera, touchscreen module, speaker, motherboard, and other components.
• Water and dust resistance cannot be guaranteed after user or unqualified repairs.
• If the device has been damaged by water/liquids, repair costs may exceed the device's value.
• Handle the battery with care; do not heat, puncture, crush, or disassemble it. Contact a TCL authorized service center for battery repair or replacement.
• Back up personal information and important data before any repair.
• Work in an Electrostatic Protected Area (EPA) to prevent electrostatic discharge.
• Ensure the device is completely discharged and powered off before repairing.
• Wear appropriate safety equipment, such as anti-static wrist straps and gloves.
• Ensure the work area is free of flammable materials, foreign objects, and sharp materials. Have safety devices like fire extinguishers readily available.
• Be careful not to damage product parts or the battery when removing the back cover.
• Before reassembly, ensure no foreign objects or debris are inside the device or around the battery.
• Before reassembling the back cover, check for any anomalies.
• Refer to the user manual, quick start guide, and other information included in the product packaging. Visit www.tcl.com for more product information.

2 Icons and Instruction Notes

Failure to observe instructions may cause fire, injury, data loss, or damage to the device or property.

• Warning ⚠️: Instructions to reduce the risk of safety problems or personal injury. Non-compliance may cause fire or other safety issues, leading to personal injury or death. Prioritize safety over cost savings. Contact TCL or a professional repairer if in doubt.
• Attention ?: Instructions to reduce the risk of data loss or damage to the device or other equipment.
• Notice: Additional educational information, suggestions, or notes for successful procedure completion.

3 ESD Safety (Electrostatic Discharge)

What is Electrostatic Discharge?

ESD is the rapid, spontaneous transfer of current (static electricity) induced by a high electrostatic field, which can damage electronic components. ESD damage can be latent and lead to premature device failure.

How to Avoid Electrostatic Discharge?

All conductors in the environment, including personnel, must be electrically connected and grounded. Using ESD safety devices like anti-static wrist straps, gloves, tools, and mats can mitigate the risk of ESD during repair.

4 Safety in Case of Broken Glass

The device's display and back cover are made of glass and may break if subjected to impacts such as drops on hard surfaces or crushing, bending, or deformation. Warning ⚠️: Do not handle broken glass or sharp glass fragments without adequate protective equipment (e.g., anti-cut gloves, safety glasses) due to the risk of cuts.

5 Battery Safety

Warning ⚠️: This device contains an integrated lithium-ion battery with soft cells. Battery safety is paramount during repair. Integrated lithium-ion battery replacement or repair should only be performed by technicians with specialized knowledge, experience, and tools. Install only new, original batteries. Used batteries may be damaged during removal, increasing the risk of hazardous events. Do not attempt to reuse a battery. Improper battery use can lead to overheating, swelling, venting, leakage, or thermal events, potentially causing fire, injury, death, data loss, or damage to the device or property.

5.1 Best Practices for Battery Handling

Warning ⚠️: To prevent hazardous incidents during battery handling, follow safety guidelines and maintain a safety-focused work area.

• Workplace Safety: Ensure the work area is free of flammable materials, foreign objects, and sharp materials. Have safety equipment like fire extinguishers and protective clothing available.
• Prevent Physical Damage: Use caution with sharp tools near the battery. Do not drop, puncture, crush, or damage battery cells to prevent thermal events or release of harmful fumes.
• Prevent Short Circuits: Do not use conductive tools, and ensure battery terminals do not contact metallic or conductive surfaces during handling.
• Temperature Control: Maintain ambient temperature within the battery's operating range. Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.
• Assembly Precautions: Before reassembling, ensure no foreign objects (debris, loose screws, etc.) are left inside the device.
• Proper Disposal: Dispose of or recycle used batteries in accordance with local environmental laws and guidelines.

5.2 How to Handle a Battery Thermal Event?

Warning ⚠️: A battery thermal event is a sudden chemical reaction within a lithium-ion battery that rapidly releases stored energy, potentially causing venting and fire. This can be due to physical damage, improper handling or replacement, or exposure to temperatures outside the safe operating range. Intervene immediately upon noticing signs of a thermal event to ensure personal and environmental safety.

Signs of a Battery Thermal Event:

1. Smoke, sparks, or soot emitting from the battery or device.
2. The battery casing rapidly swells or deflates.
3. The battery or device emits hissing or popping sounds.

Immediate Actions:

1. Smother the Fire: Quickly cover the battery or device with clean, dry sand to contain the reaction.
2. Contact Authorities: Call the local fire department for assistance.
3. Evacuate and Ventilate: Leave the area for 30 minutes to allow smoke to dissipate and ensure safety.
4. Handle with Protection: After 30 minutes, wear heat-resistant gloves and safety glasses with side shields before removing the device from the sand.
5. Clean the Area: First, clean the affected area with water, then use an ESD-safe cleaning solution.
6. Proper Disposal: Dispose of the damaged battery or device and any residues in accordance with local environmental laws and guidelines.

6 Factory Reset

Attention ?: A factory reset formats the device to its original factory settings, erasing all user data, including downloaded files and applications. Back up important data before performing a factory reset. TCL is not responsible for data loss.

6.1 Remove Google Account Before Factory Reset

If you need to configure the device with a different Google account after a factory reset, remove the existing Google account first. Otherwise, you will need to log in with the previously registered Google account. To remove the Google account:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Accounts.
3. Tap the Google account.
4. Tap Remove account.
5. Tap REMOVE ACCOUNT.

6.2 Factory Reset

If the phone is powered on, you can perform a factory data reset as follows:

1. Go to the main menu.
2. Tap "Settings" > "System" > "Reset options" > "Erase all data (factory reset)".
3. Tap "Erase all data" in the opened window.
4. Tap "Erase all data" again.

7 Software Update

It is recommended to update the phone's software to the latest version for optimal performance. Back up your data and ensure the phone is fully charged before updating.

7.1 Software Update via FOTA

Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) is a wireless method for updating mobile device firmware. The firmware operates in the background without user input to ensure proper device functionality.

Open the device's "Settings" app, tap "System" > "System update" > "Check for updates".

7.2 Software Update via Mobile Upgrade Tool

1. On your computer, download the corresponding Mobile Upgrade tool from the TCL website: https://www.tcl.com/mobile-support. Select your product on the page and click Download under the corresponding Software tag.
2. Read and accept the terms and conditions, and follow the on-screen instructions to install the tool on your computer.
3. Restart your computer after installation.
4. Launch the tool and select your device model from the dropdown list.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions and click "Start" > "Next" > "Yes".
6. Turn off the device and connect it to the computer via USB cable.
7. The software update will begin.
8. Click "OK" and disconnect the device from the USB cable when the tool prompts you to do so.
9. Click "Update device" and connect the powered-off device to the computer, waiting for the update.

Attention ?: Do not disconnect the device from the computer during the update process unless a pop-up message from the tool indicates otherwise.

10) Upon completion, a message window will display "Time elapsed: XX:XX:XX. Thank you for using the Mobile Upgrade tool. The device has been updated successfully."

8 Function Test with Service Center

1. Verify that the Nano SIM card and SD card are inserted correctly.
2. Turn on the product to start the automatic test.
3. If the product displays "input NCK code", it means the software is network or SIM locked and can only be used with a dedicated SIM card. Use the appropriate SIM card or enter the phone's NCK code if available.
4. Open the "Support Centre" application, click "AGREE", then "Hardware diagnosis", then "START TESTING". Authorize necessary permissions for diagnostics and follow on-screen instructions to perform the test.

9 Basic Troubleshooting Guide

You can use TCL's official website for troubleshooting common issues:

1. Visit https://www.tcl.com/mobile-support.
2. Scroll to the "Troubleshooting Guide" section and click "View More".
3. Select your product type and follow the step-by-step questions and checks.

Notice: If the above options do not help, contact our hotline or repair service for professional technical assistance. For hotline or repair center information, refer to the TCL website or the "Support center - Service Center" APP.

10 Contacting TCL Hotline and Service Centers

For official professional repair services from TCL, please visit the HOTLINE & SERVICE CENTERS section to find contact information for your country/region.

11 Disassembly and Reassembly

11.1 Basic Tools

Warning ⚠️: Wear appropriate protective equipment for your safety during device repair. Disassembly and reassembly may require additional tools. Refer to detailed steps for specific requirements.

11.2 Disassembly for Replacement

Before Disassembly: Always perform the following operations before starting a repair:

1. Back up the device data.
2. Fully discharge the battery.
3. Turn off the device.
4. Disconnect all cables.
5. Remove all covers and casings.
6. Clean the workspace.
7. Wear an ESD wrist strap and connect it to a grounded ESD mat.
8. Product composition may vary by country, region, or carrier.

For all broken glass cases:

Refer to section "4 Safety in Case of Broken Glass". To prevent glass shards from scattering, apply an acrylic protective cover to the screen.

The screen glass cannot be separated from the screen module alone. If the glass is broken, the entire screen module must be replaced. If you encounter difficulties during the repair, take the device to a professional repair center or an authorized TCL center for assistance.

Display Assembly

Heat the area with a heat gun or heating platform as indicated. Heating temperature: 75 °C. Heating time: 5-8 minutes.

[Image showing heating the display area]

Pull the suction cup upwards on the USB side to separate the LCD display + touch panel from the housing. Insert a plastic pick into the gap between the LCD + touch panel and the central housing.

[Image showing suction cup and plastic pick being used]

Slide the plastic pick along the edge of the screen following the direction of the arrow in the figure.

Attention ?: Be careful not to insert the plastic pick too deeply to avoid damaging the LCD + touch panel at the marked point. If you encounter difficulties during the repair, take the device to a professional repair center or an authorized TCL center for assistance.

[Image showing sliding the plastic pick along the screen edge]

Lift the LCD + touch panel from the central housing on the right side (front camera side).

Attention ?: Do not completely separate the LCD + touch panel to avoid damaging the LCD LINK FPC connector.

[Image showing lifting the display assembly and a close-up of the connector]

Remove the Phillips head screws from the steel BAT CON bracket.

Remove the steel BAT CON bracket.

PN: BMA1421252C3, Quantity: 3. Screw torque: 0.8±0.1kgf.cm.

[Image showing screws and bracket removal]

Disconnect the connectors below:

1. Battery connector (disconnect first).
2. Display connector.
3. Display connector.

[Image showing connector disconnection steps]

Remove the LCD LINK FPC connector and remove the LCD LINK FPC.

[Image showing FPC connector removal]

Removal of the display assembly

[Image of the display assembly]

11.3 Reassembly Process

To reassemble the device, follow the disassembly instructions in reverse order. The following are important notes for some steps:

1. The double-sided foam tape, all types of battery adhesive, or battery cover adhesive must be replaced with new ones after disassembly. Conductive tapes and copper tapes are selectively replaced depending on the condition of breakage and adhesion.
2. Before proceeding with device reassembly, ensure no foreign objects (debris, loose screws, etc.) are left inside the device.

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