Introduction

If your ThinkPad A285 is having issues with Wi-Fi connections, it may be an issue with your WAN card. Before following this guide, refer to our troubleshooting page for any other possible solutions to your problems/

Before you begin this repair, make sure that the device is powered off and is disconnected from any external power sources.

What you need

Step 1 Back Panel

Lenovo ThinkPad A285 Wi-Fi Card Replacement, Back Panel: step 1, image 1 of 3

Lenovo ThinkPad A285 Wi-Fi Card Replacement, Back Panel: step 1, image 2 of 3

Lenovo ThinkPad A285 Wi-Fi Card Replacement, Back Panel: step 1, image 3 of 3

Flip your laptop over so the bottom panel is facing up.
Use a Phillips #0 to loosen the 5 screws holding the back panel to the laptop.
These screws do not come all the way out, so loosen until free spinning.
Lift the bottom of the panel to separate the back panel away from the device.
Remove the back panel.

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Step 2 Wi-Fi Card

Lenovo ThinkPad A285 Wi-Fi Card Replacement, Wi-Fi Card: step 2, image 1 of 2

Lenovo ThinkPad A285 Wi-Fi Card Replacement, Wi-Fi Card: step 2, image 2 of 2

Use a Phillips #0 screwdriver to remove the single 2 mm screw.

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Step 3

Slide a thin, ESD-safe pry tool or angled tweezers under the metal neck of the coaxial Wi-Fi connector (as close to the head as possible) and lift straight up from the board.
When working with these connectors, it's key to always lift the head straight up. If pried on at an odd angle, you risk breaking the socket off of the board underneath.
Reconnecting these can be tricky. Use tweezers to hold the connector in place over its socket and gently press down with your finger or a spudger—the connector should "snap" into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the head and try again.
Don't try to force the connector into place or you may permanently damage it.
Match the wires with the corresponding colored arrows on the WAN card when reinstalling the connectors.