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Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan Replacement

What you need

  1. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, RAM: step 1, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, RAM: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Close the display and turn over the computer.

    • Make sure your device is powered down and unplugged before beginning the replacement.

  2. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Use a J0 bit tipped screwdriver to unscrew the one 6 mm Phillips screw on the RAM cover.

  3. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Lightly lift the RAM cover up and at an angle, away from the computer.

  4. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Use your fingers to carefully pull the securing clips on the RAM away from each other.

    • The RAM should pop up when the clips are released.

  5. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the popped up RAM by pulling it away from the connection.

    • If it does not pop up pry it out in a steady and straight direction.

  6. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Optical Drive: step 6, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Optical Drive: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Slide the CD/DVD drive on the side of the laptop out using your fingers.

    • Using a J0 bit screwdriver, unscrew the one 2 mm Phillips screw.

    • You only need to unscrew this screw if you are using this as a prerequisite guide.

  7. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Keyboard: step 7, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Keyboard: step 7, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Keyboard: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Lift the plastic yellow flap on the system board.

    • Use the J0 Bit screwdriver to remove the one 6 mm Phillips screw in center of the system board that is connected to the keyboard.

  8. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Flip over the computer and open the display.

  9. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Insert a spudger next to the plastic indents located at the top of the keyboard and gently pry to release the securing clips.

    • Lift the keyboard off of the computer.

    • Be careful not to tear the ribbon that attaches the back of the keyboard to the computer when lifting it.

  10. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Flip the keyboard over onto the palm-rest assembly.

  11. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Flip the little black securing bar near the base of the ribbon with a spudger to release the ribbon from the computer.

  12. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Palm Rest Assembly: step 12, image 1 of 1
    • Close the display and turn over the computer.

  13. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3
    • Remove all 7 rubber screw caps with tweezers.

    • Use a J0 Bit tipped screwdriver unscrew the seven 6 mm Phillips screws on the back casing of the laptop.

  14. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2
    • Flip the computer over and open the display.

    • Pull on the blue tabs to disconnect the palm rest assembly from the computer.

  15. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1
    • Use J0 Bit screwdriver to remove all four 6 mm Phillips screws.

  16. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3
    • Gently wedge the nylon spudger underneath the palm-rest assembly to release the latches.

    • Continue this process on all sides of the computer edges until the assembly pulls off.

    • Remove the palm rest assembly.

    • If you have difficulty lifting up the assembly, you might not have taken out all 7 screws on the bottom of the computer.

  17. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Battery: step 17, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Battery: step 17, image 2 of 2
    • Use a J0 Bit screwdriver to remove the two 6 mm Phillips screws securing the battery located near the bottom of the laptop.

  18. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3
    • Lift the tiny black tab and pull the battery out at a slight angle.

  19. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Hard Drive: step 19, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Hard Drive: step 19, image 2 of 2
    • Lift up the bottom of the hard drive which is located at the bottom of the laptop.

    • Gently pull the drive out at an angle using your fingers.

  20. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 1
    • Using a J0 bit tipped screwdriver, remove the four 3 mm black screws on both sides of the hard drive bracket.

  21. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1
    • Slide the hard drive out of the bracket.

  22. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Wireless Mini Card: step 22, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Wireless Mini Card: step 22, image 2 of 2
    • Locate the wireless mini card at the top of the laptop.

    • It is next to the place where the optics drive used to be.

  23. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 1
    • Using a J0 tipped screwdriver, remove the 4 mm Phillips head screw.

  24. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 24, image 2 of 2
    • Gently, unlatch the black and white wires from the wireless mini card.

  25. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1
    • At an angle, slide out the wireless mini card.

  26. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Motherboard: step 26, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Motherboard: step 26, image 2 of 2
    • Gently pull the the blue ribbon upwards to disconnect the computer from the motherboard.

  27. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 27, image 2 of 2
    • Using a plastic opening tool, gently detach the coin cell battery from the foam glue.

    • The coin cell battery is underneath the optical drive.

  28. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 28, image 2 of 2
    • Using a J0 tipped screwdriver remove the 6 mm Phillips head screw located at the center of the laptop on the motherboard.

  29. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 1
    • Remove motherboard at an upward angle.

    • The coin cell battery and fan will be removed with the motherboard.

  30. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Fan: step 30, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement, Fan: step 30, image 2 of 2
    • Flip the motherboard over.

    • Locate the red and yellow wires attached to the fan and gently detach them from the motherboard.

  31. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 31, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 31, image 2 of 2
    • Using a J0 tipped screwdriver remove the three 5 mm Phillips head screws that attach fan to the motherboard.

    • The fan base is labeled 1, 2, 3. Make sure you unscrew the screws in this order.

    • The screws are attached to the fan and will fully unscrew.

  32. Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 32, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 14z-5423 Fan  Replacement: step 32, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the fan from the motherboard by lifting upwards.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

3 other people completed this guide.

john

Member since: 09/12/16

212 Reputation

1 Guide authored

Team

CSU Fullerton, Team 2-2, Bruce Fall 2016 Member of CSU Fullerton, Team 2-2, Bruce Fall 2016

CSUF-BRUCE-F16S2G2

5 Members

11 Guides authored

2 Comments

Hurrah, just used these instructions to replace my fan and have a beautifully silent working laptop again - thanks! I skipped steps 20-23, and it would have been useful to have a mention that thermal compound was necessary to make a good connection when replacing the heat sink - but all in all great clear instructions. One happy good-as-new laptop owner!

Tanya Cowan - Reply

This guide was bloody marvellous! This was the first time I’ve opened a laptop by myself and it was quite a ride but a fun one the only struggle that I had was the bloody blue ribbon connecting to the motherboard other than that the rest was really easy to follow. Thank you so much for the guide and I hope I can some day be a contributor just as great as you random internet person ^^

waluilli - Reply

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