Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

6

Time Required

                          40 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

2

  • Bottom Cover
  • 3 steps
  • Fan Assembly
  • 3 steps

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0

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Introduction

The heatsink (or heat sink) is a passive heat exchanger that transfers heat in a device. The heat sink transfers heat from the laptop’s CPU to the fan, which redirects the heat away from the laptop’s internal components. The fan and heat sink work together to prevent the laptop from overheating, which can cause damage to the device.

If you find that your laptop is experiencing the following symptoms, it may be time to replace the fan and heatsink assembly:

  • Easily overheatsRunning at higher temperatures than normalLoud whirring noisesLaptop is getting louder

Don’t forget to follow our thermal paste application guide after you have removed your heat sink and are ready to reassemble your device.

Make sure to disable the internal battery, power down your device, and disconnect from any external power sources before you begin. You should also let it cool for 20 minutes before proceeding with the guide if you’ve been using the laptop extensively.

What you need

Step 1

              Bottom Cover
  • Disable the battery, power down the device, and unplug the power adapter from your device before proceeding/beginning the guide.
  • Loosen the six captive screws with a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

Disable the battery, power down the device, and unplug the power adapter from your device before proceeding/beginning the guide.

Loosen the six captive screws with a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

1024

Step 2

  • Remove the bottom cover with an opening tool.
  • Start from the top edge near the hinge and work your way along the edge until all of the clips are unsnapped.

Remove the bottom cover with an opening tool.

Start from the top edge near the hinge and work your way along the edge until all of the clips are unsnapped.

Step 3

  • Lift the bottom cover off.

Lift the bottom cover off.

Step 4

              Fan Assembly
  • Use the spudger to disconnect the fan cable from the motherboard.

Use the spudger to disconnect the fan cable from the motherboard.

Step 5

  • Loosen the six captive screws attaching the fan assembly to the motherboard.
  • This system was missing the two screws by the fan but I have highlighted them to show where they are located.

Loosen the six captive screws attaching the fan assembly to the motherboard.

This system was missing the two screws by the fan but I have highlighted them to show where they are located.

Step 6

  • Lift the thermal fan assembly from the system and remove it.

Lift the thermal fan assembly from the system and remove it.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions 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.

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Author

                    Sarah Westberg

Member since: 03/11/2019

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