Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

9

Time Required

                          20 - 25 minutes

Sections

4

  • External Battery
  • 2 steps
  • Back Cover
  • 2 steps
  • Internal Battery
  • 3 steps
  • RAM
  • 2 steps

Flags

0

  • BackLenovo ThinkPad T480

  • Full Screen

  • Options

  • History

  • Save to Favorites

  • Download PDF

  • Edit

  • Translate

  • Get Shareable Link

  • Embed This Guide

  • Notify Me of Changes

  • Stop Notifications

Introduction

The RAM or random access memory serves as temporary storage and working space for the laptop’s operating system and applications. It is much faster for reading and writing than other storage mediums such as a hard drive or an SSD. However, the data stored in RAM will disappear as soon as the RAM does not receive power, whether that is due to a power outage or a dead battery.

If your RAM is faulty, you might experience random crashes or reboots. You could also experience distorted graphics, failure to boot or repeated long beeping sounds.

If you would like to upgrade the RAM on your ThinkPad T480, you can use up to 32GB max / 2400MHz DDR4. It is dual-channel capable and has two DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets.

Prior to beginning this repair, be sure to disable the internal battery, shut down the laptop and disconnect from the external power source.

What you need

Step 1

              External Battery
  • Disable the battery, power down, and unplug your device before you begin.
  • Flip the laptop over so the bottom of the device is showing.

Disable the battery, power down, and unplug your device before you begin.

Flip the laptop over so the bottom of the device is showing.

1024

Step 2

  • Using your fingers, slide the lock on each side of the battery to the unlocked position.
  • Remove the battery from the slot.

Using your fingers, slide the lock on each side of the battery to the unlocked position.

Remove the battery from the slot.

Step 3

              Back Cover
  • Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, loosen the six captive screws.

Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, loosen the six captive screws.

Step 4

  • Insert the blue plastic opening tool into the space between the lower case and the chassis.
  • Slide the opening tool around the perimeter of the case to release the clips holding the case and the chassis together.
  • Remove the back case.

Insert the blue plastic opening tool into the space between the lower case and the chassis.

Slide the opening tool around the perimeter of the case to release the clips holding the case and the chassis together.

Remove the back case.

Step 5

              Internal Battery
  • Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the two 4.6 mm screws securing the internal battery to the frame.

Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the two 4.6 mm screws securing the internal battery to the frame.

Step 6

  • Use the spudger to slide the battery socket connector parallel to the motherboard and out of its socket on the motherboard.

Use the spudger to slide the battery socket connector parallel to the motherboard and out of its socket on the motherboard.

Step 7

  • Using the black nylon spudger, wedge the battery up from the case and lift it out.

Using the black nylon spudger, wedge the battery up from the case and lift it out.

Step 8

              RAM
  • Pull the black plastic sheet back to reveal the RAM stick.
  • Using your fingers, pull the metal arms (located on both sides of the RAM stick) slightly away from it .
  • The RAM will pop up by a few millimeters.
  • Remove it at an angle and not straight up so you don’t damage the socket.

Pull the black plastic sheet back to reveal the RAM stick.

Using your fingers, pull the metal arms (located on both sides of the RAM stick) slightly away from it .

The RAM will pop up by a few millimeters.

Remove it at an angle and not straight up so you don’t damage the socket.

Step 9

  • Slide the RAM stick out from the memory module slot.
  • Repeat for the RAM stick located below. This computer did not have RAM in the slot below however.

Slide the RAM stick out from the memory module slot.

Repeat for the RAM stick located below. This computer did not have RAM in the slot below however.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      3 other people completed this guide.

Author

                    Sarah Westberg

Member since: 03/11/2019

16,818 Reputation

                                      65 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       38







                                                        +35 more badges

Team

                       iFixit                        

                                                  Member of iFixit 



                    Community                     


                                            141 Members                     


                                            15,772 Guides authored

Raj - Sep 25, 2022

Reply

Nice one Sarah! Straightforward install of additional RAM following these instructions - one thing I noted is that I don’t have an internal battery, it’s just a placeholder, so I left it out, thanks again ;)