ASUS VivoBook S400C CPU Fan Replacement

Introduction

The CPU fan blows cool air across the fins of the heatsink to remove the heat generated by the processor from the computer.

Since the fan runs at all times when the computer is turned on, it is expected that it may eventually fail. The fan's lifetime can be extended by an occasional cleaning.

What you need

Step 1 Remove the Bottom Cover

ASUS VivoBook S400C CPU Fan Replacement, Remove the Bottom Cover: step 1, image 1 of 1

Flip the device over and remove the ten 5.7 mm screws with a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

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Step 2

Use a spudger or your fingers to go around and lift the edges and release the back panel.

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Step 3 Disconnect the Battery

ASUS VivoBook S400C CPU Fan Replacement, Disconnect the Battery: step 3, image 1 of 1

Using a spudger, lift up the plug connecting the battery to the motherboard.

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Step 4 Heat Shield

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ASUS VivoBook S400C CPU Fan Replacement, Heat Shield: step 4, image 2 of 2

Remove the black shield covering the display connector and the heat sink.
You may need to use double-sided adhesive tape to resecure the shield.

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Step 5 CPU Fan / Heat Sink Assembly

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Unplug the fan.
Grasp the plug with a fingernail on either side and pull it straight out from the connector.

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Step 6 Remove the Fan and Heatsink Screws

ASUS VivoBook S400C CPU Fan Replacement, Remove the Fan and Heatsink Screws: step 6, image 1 of 1

Remove the two 5 mm screws securing the fan.
Remove the four 3 mm screws securing the heat sink.
Removing the screw covered by the warning label will void your warranty.

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Step 7 Remove the Fan and Heatsink

ASUS VivoBook S400C CPU Fan Replacement, Remove the Fan and Heatsink: step 7, image 1 of 1

Lift the fan and heatsink straight up to remove it.
Before reassembly it is essential to clean off the old thermal paste from the processor and the heatsink and to apply new. How to apply thermal paste explains how.

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Step 8 CPU Fan

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ASUS VivoBook S400C CPU Fan Replacement, CPU Fan: step 8, image 2 of 2

Flip the assembly over and peel off the tape wrapped around the edge of the fan.

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Step 9

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Starting at one end, carefully peel off the tape securing the heatsink to the lip of the fan.

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Step 10

Separate the fan from the heatsink.

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Step 11 Clean the Heatsink

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ASUS VivoBook S400C CPU Fan Replacement, Clean the Heatsink: step 11, image 2 of 2

Clean the old thermal paste off the heatsink until it is spotless.

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Step 12 Clean the CPU

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ASUS VivoBook S400C CPU Fan Replacement, Clean the CPU: step 12, image 2 of 2

Carefully remove the old thermal paste from the CPU. It is not vital to get the old paste off the parts of the chip under the Kapton tape, but be obsessive about cleaning the silicon chip itself and the area immediately next to it.
Do not fail to apply new thermal paste to the processor before reinstalling the heatsink. Failure to do so could lead to overheating and the possible death of your processor.

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