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Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace or change the Top Cover in your Framework Laptop 12.

The Top Cover is the plastic shell that holds the display. It also holds the two antennas along the top edge.

You'll encounter some component terms in this guide:

  • The Display Cover is the plastic bezel strip below the screen.

What you need

  1. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Power down your laptop: step 1, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Power down your laptop: step 1, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Power down your laptop: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Before you begin repairs, unplug your laptop and shut it down from the operating system. This ensures that the laptop isn't in standby/suspend mode.

    • The indicator LEDs along the edges should be unlit. The laptop should be silent.

    • If you accidentally turn on the laptop during repair, hold the power button down for 10 seconds to shut it down.

    • Make sure your Framework Screwdriver has the T5 Torx bit (labeled as T-5) facing outwards. If it's not, pull the bit out and flip it.

    Edit

  2. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Open your laptop: step 2, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Open your laptop: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Open the laptop lid so that both the screen and the base lie flat on your work surface.

    Edit

  3. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Remove the Display Cover: step 3, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Remove the Display Cover: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • The Display Cover is held in place with magnets along the top edge and clips along the remaining edges.

    • Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver to pry up the right edge of the Display Cover.

    Edit

  4. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Slide your fingers under the top edge of the Display Cover to release it from the laptop.

    Edit

  5. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the Display Cover.

    Edit

  6. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Remove the display screws: step 6, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Remove the display screws: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Use your Framework Screwdriver to remove the four 3.3 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the display to the Top Cover.

    • These screws are not captive. Store them in a safe location for reassembly.

    Edit

  7. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Slide the display down: step 7, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Slide the display down: step 7, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Slide the display down: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the bit end of your Framework Screwdriver into the small hole on the display, below the Framework logo.

    • Slide the display down towards the hinge edge to release the tabs holding the top edge of the display in place.

    Edit

  8. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Lift the display: step 8, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Lift the display: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Use your fingers to lift the top edge of the display from the Top Cover.

    Edit

  9. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Swing the display over: step 9, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Swing the display over: step 9, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Swing the display over: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to carefully swing the display over so it lies on top of the keyboard.

    Edit

  11. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Remove the antenna screws: step 10, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Remove the antenna screws: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Use your Framework Screwdriver to remove the two 2.4 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the two antennas to the Top Cover.

    Edit

  12. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Unthread the antenna cables: step 11, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Unthread the antenna cables: step 11, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Unthread the antenna cables: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to lift the right antenna away from the Top Cover.

    • Carefully guide the white antenna cable out of its channel until you reach the hinge.

    Edit

  13. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Repeat the previous step to guide the black antenna cable out of its channel.

    Edit

  14. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Remove the hinge screws: step 13, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Remove the hinge screws: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use your Framework Screwdriver to remove the four (two per hinge) 2.4 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the two hinges to the Top Cover.

    • These screws are not captive. Store them in a safe location for reassembly.

    Edit

  15. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Separate the Top Cover: step 14, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Separate the Top Cover: step 14, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Separate the Top Cover: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to lift the hinges over the Top Cover lip.

    • Separate the Top Cover from the rest of the laptop.

    Edit

  16. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Remove the Top Cover: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the Top Cover.

    Edit

  17. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Disassembly complete: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your Framework Laptop.

    Edit

  18. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Install the Top Cover: step 17, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Install the Top Cover: step 17, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Install the Top Cover: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to lift the hinges over the Top Cover lip and lay them in place.

    Edit

  19. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Use your Framework Screwdriver to install the four 2.4 mm‑long T5 Torx screws to secure the two hinges to the Top Cover.

    • Make sure to install these screws in the marked locations. There are additional screw holes on the hinges that are not for these screws.

    Edit

  20. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Lay each antenna in place in the Top Cover.

    Edit

  21. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Use your Framework Screwdriver to install the two 2.4 mm‑long T5 Torx screws to secure the antennas to the Top Cover.

    Edit

  22. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 21, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers and your Framework Screwdriver to guide and press both antenna cables back into their channels.

    • Zoom in on the third image to see how the cables sit in their channels.

    Edit

  23. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Swing the display over: step 22, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Swing the display over: step 22, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Swing the display over: step 22, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to carefully swing the display over so it lies on top of the Top Cover.

    Edit

  24. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Slide the display in place: step 23, image 1 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Slide the display in place: step 23, image 2 of 3 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Slide the display in place: step 23, image 3 of 3

    • Align the display in the Top Cover such that the top edge of the display is slightly below the top edge of the Top Cover.

    • Use your fingers to slide the display upwards to latch the tabs on the top edge of the display.

    • The top edge shouldn't have any gaps when the display's in place.

    Edit

  25. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Install the display screws: step 24, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Install the display screws: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Use your Framework Screwdriver to install the four 3.3 mm‑long T5 Torx screws to secure the display to the Top Cover.

    • Tighten the screws until they're snug. Don't over-tighten them, or you may damage the screw tabs.

    Edit

  26. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Install the Display Cover: step 25, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement, Install the Display Cover: step 25, image 2 of 2

    • Align the Display Cover to the bottom of the display.

    Edit

  27. Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 2 Framework Laptop 12 Top Cover Replacement: step 26, image 2 of 2

    • Use your finger to press along the length of the Display Cover to snap it onto the laptop.

    • Make sure all the clips along the left, top, and right edges are fully seated.

    Edit
Conclusion

You finished fixing your Framework Laptop!

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

If you need help, contact Framework support.

Author

Arthur Shi

Member since: 01/03/18

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