Sony Headphones Hinge & Headband Repair

From £59

No fix, no fee · 12-month warranty · Insured, tracked returns

What this repair covers

  • WH-1000XM5: a broken hinge bracket, an ear cup hanging loose from the band, or a swivel that has popped out
  • WH-1000XM4: a snapped swivel, a cracked hinge arm, or an ear cup that flops or won't stay folded
  • WH-1000XM3: a cracked headband near the slider, or a hinge arm split where it meets the band
  • The wiring through the hinge: checked for strain or breaks, and repaired if the hinge failure has damaged it

More about Sony hinge repairs

A broken hinge is the most common fault on Sony's WH-1000XM headphones. Each generation fails in a slightly different place. On the XM3 it's the headband, which cracks near the slider where a small clip sits under thin plastic. On the XM4 it's the swivel, the part the ear cup turns on, which snaps and leaves the cup hanging. On the XM5 it's the hinge bracket where the ear cup meets the band. Sony redesigned that joint for the XM5, but it's still the part owners report breaking.

The cable from one ear cup to the other runs through the hinge. Once the plastic has broken, every movement pulls on that cable, and that's how a cosmetic fault becomes a dead side. If your hinge has gone, stop wearing them until it's fixed.

I replace the broken hinge or headband with a genuine Sony part where available, or a tested quality aftermarket part, rather than gluing it. Glue rarely lasts on a part that flexes every time you put the headphones on. Then I check the cable through the hinge for strain or breaks, and run the full bench test before they go back.

If you're not sure which model you have, which Sony headphones do I have shows you where the model name is. For the model-by-model detail, see Sony XM5 hinge broken, Sony XM4 hinge broken and Sony XM3 headband cracked. For your options with Sony and your retailer, see Sony headphones hinge broken: your warranty and consumer rights.

What's included

A replacement part (genuine Sony wherever available, otherwise a tested quality aftermarket part), labour, a full bench test (both drivers, noise cancelling, microphones, touch controls, Bluetooth and charging), tracked return postage and a 12-month warranty.

How it works

Choose your model, and one side or both, then book and pay online. Post your headphones to me in their case or a padded box. Royal Mail accepts the battery inside the headphones. I replace the broken part, check the wiring through the hinge and run the bench test. I post them back tracked, and email you at each stage.

Add replacement headband & ear pads

Flattened ear pads or a split headband cushion? When you book, you can add new ones and I'll fit them while your headphones are with me. They're high-quality replacement parts, not made by Sony, and I'll match the colour you picked where I have it.

Replacement headband & ear pads for the WH-1000XM3: £55.

Replacement headband & ear pads for the WH-1000XM4: £55.

Replacement ear pads for the WH-1000XM5: £29.

Sony WH-1000XM5 with a snapped headband hinge, opened for repair on my bench

Frequently asked questions

Why do Sony XM hinges break?
The hinge and headband are thin moulded plastic, and they take the strain every time the headphones are folded, swivelled or pulled off one-handed. Stress builds in the same spot until it cracks. It's a known weak point across the XM3, XM4 and XM5, and owners on Sony's own forums describe it happening in normal use.
Will Sony fix a broken hinge under warranty?
Sometimes, but many owners report Sony treating a broken hinge or headband as physical damage. If yours are still under warranty, ask Sony or your retailer first. Under UK consumer law, your rights against the retailer can go beyond the manufacturer's warranty.
Should I replace both sides?
If one side has gone, the other has taken the same strain and is often close behind. Replacing both costs less than two separate repairs, and saves posting them twice.
Do you use genuine Sony parts?
Wherever possible, yes. I fit genuine Sony hinge and headband parts, new or reclaimed from other headphones and inspected before they go in. Reclaimed parts are in very good condition but may show light signs of wear. If a genuine part isn't available for your model or colour, I fit a quality aftermarket part that's been tested for fit and strength. Either way, it's covered by the same 12-month warranty.
Will my headphones sound the same afterwards?
Yes. A hinge repair doesn't touch the drivers, the noise cancelling or the electronics, and I test all of them before the headphones go back.
I've glued it already. Can you still repair it?
Usually, yes. I remove the old part, so glue on it doesn't matter. Glue that has run into the wiring or the swivel can make the job longer, so mention it when you book.

About this service

How does your mail-in repair service work?
Three steps: book and pay for your repair online, post your item to me using the packing instructions I email you, and I repair it, test it, and send it back tracked. You'll get updates as it moves through each stage.
What is your no-fix-no-fee promise?
Payment is taken upfront at booking. If I can't fix your item, there's no repair fee — I refund what you paid, less £4.99 return postage to send it back to you. Assessment bookings work differently: the £4.99 covers return postage and comes off the repair if you go ahead, but isn't refunded if you decide not to or it can't be repaired.
Do your repairs come with a warranty?
Yes. Every repair carries a 12-month workmanship warranty against the same fault returning. If it does, I'll put it right.
How long will my repair take?
Most repairs are done soon after your item arrives, then posted back by tracked post. If a part needs ordering, I'll tell you as soon as I've diagnosed it and give you a realistic date. Diagnostic-led jobs take a little longer if I'm waiting on your approval of a quote.
How do I package my item safely to post it?
I send clear packing guidance when you book. In short: wrap the item well, use plenty of padding, and a sturdy box — the return leg is insured and tracked, and good packing on the way in protects your item too.
Where do I send my item?
Your postage address is included in the confirmation email after you book — you don't post anything until you've booked, so your item is always matched to your order.
Do you cover the whole UK?
Yes — I run a mail-in repair service, so you can send your item from anywhere in the UK. There's nothing local you need to find.
What if my item turns out to be unrepairable?
I'll tell you honestly and, where the fault allows, offer an alternative. If I can't fix it, there's no repair fee — I refund what you paid, less £4.99 return postage to send it back to you.