Dell Latitude 7490 WLAN Card Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the WLAN card in your Dell Latitude 7490 laptop.

If you are experiencing frequent connectivity issues or poor signal quality, you may need to replace your WLAN card.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 3.5 mm‑long screw securing the WLAN card and its bracket.
Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the WLAN card bracket.

Insert an arm of your angled tweezers under the metal neck of one the WLAN card's coaxial connectors.
Gently lift as close to the head as possible to disconnect the cable.
Repeat the process for the second antenna cable.
To reconnect coaxial connectors, hold each one in place over its socket and press down with the flat end of your spudger. The connector will snap into place.

The WLAN card is held in place by adheisve.
Use a spudger or clean fingernail to pry up the WLAN card's notched edge until it pops up at a slight angle.
If you're having trouble, heat an iOpener and apply it to the notched edge for two minutes. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer to heat the edge.
Pull the WLAN card straight out of its socket and remove it.
During reassembly, insert the WLAN card at a slight downward angle and push down to secure it with the leftover adhesive.