[Hardware] Replacement Webcam\Microphone Flex Cable availability Demand

Community Support
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Hello community!

I would like to rise a question that WEBCAM/MICROPHONE FLEX CABLE CANNOT BE PURCHASED ALONE without top CNC cover.

I faced the issue that after 2 years of owning laptop (FW 13, 12gen) my internal microphone stopped working (webcam works). I troubleshoot it, looked for the forum and it turns out that it was a hardware issue (It starts working at the certain angles of the lid).

I wanted to buy a flex cable but it turns out that you are UNABLE TO PURCHASE ONLY THE FLEX CABLE… It is only sold with CNC cover that cost almost 100 dollars|euros. That price just to fix the cable…

One of the answers from support for the reason on why they are not selling the cable because it could short-circuit smthng.

Kinda lame excuse if you take into account that they share the manual how to fix 11gen mobo issue with rtc battery, which require soldering.

Provide manual, add some kapton tape for isolation - done.

  • I faced this issue and support send me a new part (CNC top with flex cable)
  • I faced this issue but support refuse to help (out of waranty)
  • I faced this issue and ordered part myself (CNC top with flex cable)
  • I faced this issue, tried to figure it out myself, but due to the price of the part - gave up
  • I have not faced this issue but i want to have an ability to buy this part in future and raise some attention!
0 voters

I’ve add a poll and urge everyone to vote. Who faced the issue and others who would like to raise some attention.

Also, please leave a comment and like the main post.

I would like to make this issue addressed because flex cables are the essential thing that will broke eventually over time. Not being able to make an easy fix is ridiculous and the fact that this happen after the end of the warranty make it even worse.

I would also like to highlight that it terms of “Framework for business” this issue will come up in the end, because every time flex cable will broke - repairing by ordering whole cover… cmon

Here are the links to the posts with broken flex cable issues that I found myself. If you knew other posts and someone how faced the issue, please, do share.

1st link 2d link 3d link 5th link 6th link 7th link 8th link 9th link

Edit: fixed links

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So I got the official answer. They advised me to purchase the TOP cover :clown_face:

After a thorough review of this issue and the photos/videos submitted, we’ve come to the conclusion that there is a need to replace the Top Cover.
Please be advised that the ribbon cable is the one at fault for the failure of the webcam module.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a replacement Top Cover as your warranty has already ended.
You can check our Warranty and Terms of Sale below:
Framework Warranty: Framework | Framework | Warranty
Framework Terms of Sale: Framework | Terms of Sale
We suggest purchasing a replacement Top Cover in the Marketplace.
We know that this is a bit disappointing, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
If there’s anything else that we can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

This is ridiculous… No words

So after each 2 years of daily use I MUST purchase a whole TOP cover to fix the damn camera/mic module???

I will be updating on that matter in this post. For now, I’m really disappointed.

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It is shame! It is very disappointing that it is almost 3 years and Framework continually ignored this problem.

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Yeah, i got the answer from them and it is something like that:

The reason we are not selling this separately is that it is integral to the top cover for stability reasons, it is not a separate module.

If it was “stable” it wont broke right after out of warranty period or broke at all.

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I need the ability to purchase the webcam flex cable for framework laptop 13. I noticed that webcam flex cable will be sold separately for framework laptop 12 but not for framework laptop 13. I have searched on internet desperately trying to figure it out myself but there is no solution

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Other parts not sold separately:
WiFi Bracket WiFi Bracket
display panel brackets Unofficial Guide to Aftermarket LCD Replacement

They have similar stories as the webcam cable

I need to purchase the whole bottom cover to get the wifi bracket and I need to purchase the whole display to get display panel brackets

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Wifi bracket - seems like an easy fix in my opinion without needing for a purchase. I know that they are now plastic, so sharing 3d model for printer would be a cool option.

As for display panels bracket - it would be cool to sell them separately, but buying a full screen as a whole unit is already a solution in terms of parts availability + you could salvage them from broken screen.

But it’s my opinion. Things like flex cable are unique and not being able to buy it frustrates me.

I’m still with broken mic on my laptop…