Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement

Introduction

It may be a collective thought to think that replacing this port may prove difficult, however, it is a lot simpler than it may seem.

The power port is critical for this device's functionality, as there is no alternative method for providing power to this device such as a docking station or quick battery swapping.

What you need

Step 1 Base Cover

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Base Cover: step 1, image 1 of 2

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Base Cover: step 1, image 2 of 2

Remove the eight M2 5mm screws that secure the base cover using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

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Step 2

Loosen the three captive screws that secure the base closer to the hinges.
Do not attempt to remove the three captive screws! You need only to loosen them. They're supposed to stay on the base cover.

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Step 3

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

Carefully pry the base cover using an iFixit opening tool in the crevice near the hinges. Guide the pick along the edges and slightly lift upwards as you go along.
Do not start from the speaker end of the edges when opening, or you may cause further damage to your device!

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Step 4

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

Carefully remove the base cover from the laptop.

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Step 5 Wireless Card (NIC)

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Wireless Card (NIC): step 5, image 1 of 3

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Wireless Card (NIC): step 5, image 2 of 3

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Wireless Card (NIC): step 5, image 3 of 3

Remove the screw holding down the small bracket for the wireless card using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Remove the black wired connection from the port over the black triangle.
Remove the wire with the white marking from the port above the white triangle.
Pull the Wi-Fi card out of its slot.

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Step 6 Fan

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Fan: step 6, image 1 of 2

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Fan: step 6, image 2 of 2

Gently remove the I/O cable.

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Step 7

Remove the fan cable from the motherboard.

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Step 8

Remove two 3 mm screws that secure the fan using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

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Step 9

There is a little piece of tape/sticker on the fan that connects it to the heat sink. Gently remove this.
Lift the fan off the palm rest assembly.

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Step 10 Heatsink

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Heatsink: step 10, image 1 of 2

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Heatsink: step 10, image 2 of 2

Loosen seven 3 mm captive screws securing the heatsink to the motherboard using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

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Step 11

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

Lift the heatsink off the motherboard.

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Step 12 Display Assembly

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Display Assembly: step 12, image 1 of 2

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Display Assembly: step 12, image 2 of 2

Ensure that you have your device opened flat at a 180 degree angle. This will make removal easier.

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Step 13

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3

Tool used on this step:

Tweezers

$4.99

Buy

Locate the ribbon cables for the assembly on the right hand side marked "MB1" and "MB2."
The "MB1" ribbon is locked with a copper/brass colored handle that must be lifted upwards. Then you can remove the ribbon by pulling it away from the socket.
The "MB2" ribbon is locked in its socket with a black latch. Using a non-metallic precision tool (such as tweezers) lift the latch and pull away the MB2 cable.

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Step 14

Remove the two screws holding down the assembly on the right hand area using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

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Step 15

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement: step 15, image 3 of 3

Remove the screw protecting the endpoints of the NIC cables and NIC chip using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Gently pull away the cabling from the NIC chip.
The wires can be removed without removing the heat sink, though this is not advised if you are not familiar with the layout.

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Step 16

Remove the two screws holding down the bracket of the assembly on the left hand side using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

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Step 17

Lift the display assembly upwards away from the palm/main assembly.

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Step 18 Charging Port

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Charging Port: step 18, image 1 of 3

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Charging Port: step 18, image 2 of 3

Dell Inspiron 17" 7786 2-in-1 Charging Port Replacement, Charging Port: step 18, image 3 of 3

Remove the single 3 mm screw that secures the port using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Disconnect the cable from the port by gently wiggling and pushing the plug away from the port.
Pull the disconnected cable upwards, and the rest of the power port will follow.