How to Install Sony WH-1000XM5 Headband/Hinge Repair Parts
Is the headband on your Sony WH-1000XM5 cracking or splitting right above the ear cup? It’s the most common XM5 failure, and it can leave an ear cup hanging by the wire. This guide shows you how to repair or reinforce both sides with our 8-piece kit in about 10 minutes, with no technical skills and no need to take the headphones apart.
Watch: Sony WH-1000XM5 headband hinge repair
Ready to order? Grab the XM5 hinge repair kit.
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Shop the XM5 Repair Kit: $39.99Already Have the Kit? Check These Next
While your XM5s are in your hands, these are the parts that tend to wear out next:
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Shop Battery KitWhat You’ll Need
Everything you need comes in the kit. You do not need to open the ear cups or replace the headband assembly.
- 8-piece repair parts kit (inside and outside pieces for both the left and right side)
- Replacement screws
- Screwdriver tool (included)
Step-by-Step: How to Repair the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headband Hinge
Step 1: Find the cracked or weak area
Look at the headband right where it meets the ear cup hinge. This is where the XM5 cracks, and in bad cases the plastic separates completely. The kit works whether you have a hairline crack, a full break or no damage yet and just want to reinforce it.
Step 2: Connect the two inside pieces
Take the two inside pieces from the kit for the side you’re working on and connect them together.
Step 3: Insert the inside pieces
Place the connected inside pieces on the inside of the headband at the hinge area. Make sure they sit nice and snug before moving on.
Step 4: Slide in the outside bottom piece
Take the outside bottom piece and slide it into place on the outside of the hinge area.
Step 5: Attach the outside top piece
Take the outside top piece and connect it to the bottom piece so the outside of the hinge area is covered.
Step 6: Line up the parts
With all the pieces in place, adjust the headband slightly. You may need to turn or rotate it a little until the screw holes on all of the parts line up.
Tip: Take your time lining up the holes. If the screws don’t start easily, the parts aren’t lined up yet, so adjust before you tighten.
Step 7: Install the screws
Install the screws that come with the kit using the included tool. Tighten them until they’re nice and snug.
Tip: Don’t over-tighten. Too much force can strip the plastic or the screw heads.
Step 8: Repeat on the other side
Repeat steps 2 through 7 on the other side. The kit includes parts for both the left and right side, so you can repair one side and reinforce the other at the same time.
Done with the hinge? Give your XM5s fresh ear pads too.
Usually ships within one business day from Fox Lake, IL. Small USA family business, established in 2014.
Shop XM5 Ear Pads: From $19.99Need the Hinge Kit? $39.99Why Does the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headband Crack?
The XM5 folds and swivels at a thin plastic section right above each ear cup. Every time you put the headphones on, take them off or rotate the ear cups, that spot flexes. Over months of daily use the plastic develops a hairline crack, and the crack keeps spreading until the parts separate. It’s a known weak point in this model and very common.
You don’t need to replace the whole headband assembly. That job means taking the headphones apart, with small connections that are easy to break. Our kit covers and reinforces the weak area from the outside with thick, heavy-duty parts designed and made in the USA, and it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.
More Parts for the Sony WH-1000XM5
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XM5 Headband Hinge Repair Kit
8-piece kit for both sides with screws and tool. $39.99
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Screwdrivers, pry tools and spudgers for XM2 to XM5 repairs. $17.99
Shop NowFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need any tools?
No. The kit includes the screws and the tool you need.
How long does the repair take?
Most people finish in about 10 minutes.
Will it work if my headband is already completely broken?
Yes. It works on a hairline crack, a full break where the ear cup is hanging by the wire, or as reinforcement before anything breaks.
Does the kit fix both sides?
Yes. It has 8 pieces, enough for the left and right side.
Will the parts match my headphones?
The parts have a matte finish and a slightly rough texture rather than a shiny factory finish. Black and Midnight Blue are available.
Does this fit the WH-1000XM4 or XM6?
No. This kit is made for the WH-1000XM5 only. For the XM4, see our XM4 hinge swivel replacement part.
DISCOVER · REPAIR · REVIVE
Your XM5s aren’t done yet.
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