Dell Latitude 7420 Fan Assembly Replacement

Introduction

If your laptop keeps overheating, you may need to replace the fans and heat sink. Your Dell Latitude 7420 laptop may overheat due to dirty or dusty vents or fans. This can often be fixed by cleaning out the vents or fan with a dust blower. If that doesn't fix the issue, checking the thermal paste under the heat sink is a good idea because it may need to be replaced too.

Before starting, please ensure the device is turned off and disconnected from any adaptors or charging cables.

Likewise, use an anti-static band or mat when opening computers or handling components.

If the thermal paste in the Dell Latitude 7420 needs to be replaced, an in-depth application guide can be found here.

What you need

Step 1 Back Case

Dell Latitude 7420 Fan Assembly Replacement, Back Case: step 1, image 1 of 3

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Dell Latitude 7420 Fan Assembly Replacement, Back Case: step 1, image 3 of 3

Remove the eight, 7 mm screws from the back case using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Use an opening pick or opening tool and work your way around the periphery of the base cover to separate it from the chassis.

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Step 2 Battery

Dell Latitude 7420 Fan Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 2, image 1 of 2

Dell Latitude 7420 Fan Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 2, image 2 of 2

Be sure to use an anti-static band or mat from this point onward.
Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the five 5 mm screws securing the battery to the motherboard.

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Step 3

Use a spudger to pry up each side. Then, lift the connector straight up from its socket.
To reinstall, carefully position the connector, and then press it straight down until it snaps into its socket. Finger pressure is all that is required. If it won't snap home it'll be because it isn't correctly positioned. Sometimes it can take a little patience to find exactly the right position.

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Step 4

Gently remove the battery from its housing.

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Step 5 Fan Assembly

Dell Latitude 7420 Fan Assembly Replacement, Fan Assembly: step 5, image 1 of 2

Dell Latitude 7420 Fan Assembly Replacement, Fan Assembly: step 5, image 2 of 2

Tool used on this step:

Dust Blower

$4.99

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Keeping the vents on the case of the laptop clean of dust or debris and clear of obstruction is important for the device to maintain its temperature.
Use a cloth and dust blower to clean the vents.
It's best to clean the vent when the back case has been removed from the device.

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Step 6

Dell Latitude 7420 Fan Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

If the fan is dusty, a soft cloth can be used to gently clean it.
Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the six 2.5 mm screws securing the fan assembly.

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Step 7

Dell Latitude 7420 Fan Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

Use the pointed tip of a spudger to carefully push on each side of the connector and remove it from the socket.
Remove the fan assembly.
When replacing the fan assembly, make sure there is thermal paste under the heat sink. Follow this guide for more information.