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Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the heatsink and fan in your Dell Latitude 7490 laptop.

Note: The heatsink and fan are connected and must be replaced as one assembly.

What you need

  1. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Prepare your laptop for disassembly: step 1, image 1 of 2 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Prepare your laptop for disassembly: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Allow your laptop's battery to drain below 25% before starting this repair—a charged battery may catch fire if damaged.

    • Unplug all cables and fully shut down your laptop.

    Edit

  2. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Flip your laptop over: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Flip your laptop over so the rubber feet strips are facing up.

    Edit

  3. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Loosen the captive screws: step 3, image 1 of 2 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Loosen the captive screws: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to fully loosen the eight captive screws securing the back cover.

    Edit

  4. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Insert an opening pick: step 4, image 1 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Insert an opening pick: step 4, image 2 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Insert an opening pick: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Plastic clips secure the back cover to the frame. You'll hear and feel them release as you work.

    • Insert the long side of an opening pick between the top right corner of the back cover and frame.

    • Pry the back cover up to release the clips securing the top right corner.

    Edit

  5. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Release the clips: step 5, image 1 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Release the clips: step 5, image 2 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Release the clips: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the opening pick down the right edge and around the bottom right corner to release the clips.

    Edit

  7. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the opening pick along the front edge and up to the top left corner to release the remaining clips securing the back cover.

    Edit

  8. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 7, image 1 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 7, image 2 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the back cover.

    • During reassembly, lay the back cover on the frame and press down firmly around the perimeter to engage all the clips.

    Edit

  9. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 8, image 1 of 2 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the plastic tab on the battery connector and pull straight up to disconnect it.

    • During reassembly, align this connector over its socket and press down until it clicks into place. If it doesn't connect, re‑align it and try again.

    Edit

  10. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Disconnect the fan cable: step 9, image 1 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Disconnect the fan cable: step 9, image 2 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Disconnect the fan cable: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Push on alternating sides of the fan cable connector with the point of a spudger to "walk" it out of its socket.

    Edit

  11. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Unfasten the heatsink and fan: step 10, image 1 of 2 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Unfasten the heatsink and fan: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the heatsink and fan:

    • Two 5.6 mm‑long screws on the fan

    • Four 3.7 mm‑long screws on the heatsink

    • During reassembly, tighten the heatsink screws in an "X" pattern. For example: top left, bottom right, bottom left, top right. This ensures even pressure across the heatsink and CPU.

    Edit

  12. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Separate the heatsink: step 11, image 1 of 2 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Separate the heatsink: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • The heatsink is bonded to the CPU with thermal paste. The strength of the bond will vary depending on how recently thermal paste was applied.

    • Don't pry againt any chips, resistors, or cables.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the bottom right corner of the heatsink until it breaks free from the CPU.

    Edit

  13. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Remove the heatsink and fan: step 12, image 1 of 2 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Remove the heatsink and fan: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the heatsink and fan.

    Edit

  14. Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Reassembly information: step 13, image 1 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Reassembly information: step 13, image 2 of 3 Dell Latitude 7490 Heatsink and Fan Replacement, Reassembly information: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Before installing a new heatsink, follow this guide to clean the CPU and heatsink and reapply thermal paste.

    Edit
Conclusion

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.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 09/14/22

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