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Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement

Introduction

This guide walks through the replacement of the keyboard in a Dell XPS laptop. It also includes instructions to remove of all the components necessary to access the keyboard.

Make sure to have a safe location to store all of the small screws while completing this guide, as the screws are very small and easy to lose.

What you need

  1. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, Back/Underside Panel: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Turn the laptop upside down.

    • Make sure the laptop is turned off.

    • Use a T5 Torx Screwdriver to remove the ten 3 mm long screws from the perimeter of the back of the laptop.

    Edit

  2. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Open up the information panel door (on the middle of the back side).

    • While holding the door open, use a Phillips #00 Screwdriver to remove the two 10 mm long screws.

    Edit

  3. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully lift the 2 corners of the back panel close to the hinge upwards, to release the whole panel.

    • Do not force the panel off. If it does not come off easily, try to use a plastic spudger where it is stuck.

    Edit

  4. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, RAM: step 4, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, RAM: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • There are 2 separate RAM sticks.

    • Gently push down on the 2 outside tabs of the RAM stick you want to replace.

    • While still pushing down, gently push the tabs outwards, causing the RAM stick to flip up.

    Edit

  5. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Firmly grasp the RAM stick from the flipped up edge and gently pull out, to release the RAM stick.

    Edit

  6. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, Wireless Card: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • With a Philips #00 Screwdriver bit, remove one 4 mm long black screw located by the antenna connections on the wireless card.

    • Set the screw and metal holder aside.

    Edit

  7. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Gently lift up each of the antennas (3) to disconnect them from the wireless card.

    • These are similar to a coat button, the antennas snap on and snap off.

    Edit

  8. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • With the antennas disconnected, gently pull the wireless card out at the angle it sits at.

    • The wireless card has been successfully removed!

    Edit

  9. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, Cooling Fan(s): step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Use the Small Plastic Spudger to carefully disconnect the white connector from the black port.

    Edit

  11. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Use the Phillips #00 Screwdriver to remove the two 4 mm long screws.

    • The location of the 2 screws is different on each fan.

    • The left fan screw locations are circled in red.

    • The right fan screw locations are circled in orange.

    Edit

  12. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • With the screws removed, lift up on the fan and remove it from the laptop.

    Edit

  13. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, Battery: step 12, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, Battery: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Philips #00 Screwdriver to remove the seven 3 mm long screws from the perimeter of the battery.

    • Each screw is labeled "M2X4" with an arrow pointing to the screw.

    Edit

  14. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Gently lift up on the backside of the battery.

    Edit

  15. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Firmly grasp the black connector on both sides.

    • Carefully pull the connector towards the battery, to release the connector and the battery from the laptop.

    Edit

  16. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 15, image 1 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 15, image 2 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • The touchpad has two ZIF connectors at the bottom of the motherboard. Use a flat plastic tool to lift the tabs (see picture 2) and gently pull the ribbon cables free.

    • When re-assembling, make sure the connectors are set straight and square before closing the tabs.

    Edit

  17. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Pull this Monitor connector out by its plastic edges

    Edit

  18. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the single Phillips screw to take off this plate and reveal the connector underneath.

    • Pull up the black strap with the plastic spudger, and use your fingers to gently but firmly pull straight up.

    Edit

  19. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Pull up on the plastic edges to remove the indicated connector at the bottom right of the motherboard.

    Edit

  20. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • This connector in the top left might be taped in two places. Simply pull up to loosen the tape, and use the plastic edges of the connector to pull it out. Have some tape on hand for reassembly, as the tape might have lost its adhesive backing.

    Edit

  21. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • With all mounted components removed, unscrew the motherboard Phillips-head screws.

    Edit

  22. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the 14 #00 Phillips screws from the perimeter of the keyboard.

    Edit

  23. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 1

    • Remove 6 exposed #00 Phillips screws from the center of the keyboard.

    Edit

  24. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 23, image 3 of 3

    • Use small tweezers to peel back the covers for the remaining 9 #00 Phillips screws.

    • Remove the remaining screws.

    • Theses screws can be difficult to access. The flaps are glued down and need to be peeled back with a moderate amount of force.

    Edit

  25. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Unplug the keyboard from the laptop by flipping up the small ZIF tabs and pulling the ribbon cables straight out.

    Edit

  26. Dell XPS 15 9550 Keyboard Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1

    • Gently remove the keyboard from the laptop.

    Edit
Conclusion

Now you have successfully removed your keyboard. To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

4 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 3 other contributors

Zach Jones

Member since: 03/25/22

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Team

IUPUI, Team 2-4, Harley Spring 2022 Member of IUPUI, Team 2-4, Harley Spring 2022

IUPUI-HARLEY-S22S2G4

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4 Comments

Will this work with a Dell Precision 5520? I have noticed that these two laptops use many of the same components.

Bryan White - Reply

This was an excellent guide! The entire process took me a full two hours. Most of the time was spent trying to figure out how to fix a broken antenna filament on the wifi card. See my note regarding that step. My daughter's laptop keyboard is now brand new and I was able to remove all the dog hair and dust at the same time!

Peter Moeykens - Reply

This was super-helpful. I have an XPS 7590, and a few things were slightly different, but this guide matched my machine closely enough. I now have a fully working machine with a new keyboard. Thanks!

Brad Compton - Reply

wonderfully written & diagrammed guide, thank you internet friend!

admin admin - Reply

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