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Ventilation Plate Removal

Archived Guide
This guide is retained solely for historical purposes. Use the updated version of the guide to perform your repair.
Prerequisite Only
This is a prerequisite-only guide! This guide is part of another procedure and isn’t meant to be used alone.

Introduction

Prereq for removing the ventilation plate with the fingerprint sensor attached.

What you need

    1. Ventilation Plate Removal, Before you begin: step 1, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal, Before you begin: step 1, image 2 of 2

      • Unplug all cables and fully shut down your laptop.

      • If your repair requires a spudger, a T5 Torx, or a Phillips screwdriver, you can use the included Framework screwdriver. Whichever works best for you!

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    1. Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the touchpad spacers: step 2, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the touchpad spacers: step 2, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the touchpad spacers: step 2, image 3 of 3

      • Use your fingers to slide the touchpad spacer toward the bottom edge of the laptop and unclip it.

      • If you're having trouble, check if the corresponding Input Module latch is properly unlocked.

      • Lift the touchpad spacer off the laptop and remove it.

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    2. Ventilation Plate Removal: step 3, image 1 of 1

      • Repeat the same procedure for the other touchpad spacer.

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    1. Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the touchpad: step 4, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the touchpad: step 4, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the touchpad: step 4, image 3 of 3

      • Use your fingers to slide the touchpad toward the bottom edge of the laptop and disconnect it.

      • If you're having trouble, check if the Input Module latches are properly unlocked.

      • Lift the touchpad and remove it.

      • During reassembly, perform the following:

      • Place the touchpad flat on its cutout so its clips are properly aligned.

      • Press the touchpad down and slide it into place so it lines up evenly with the bottom edge of the laptop.

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    1. Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the keyboard: step 5, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the keyboard: step 5, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the keyboard: step 5, image 3 of 3

      • The keyboard is held in place with strong magnets. Apply gradually increasing force to avoid having the keyboard violently eject.

      • Grip the two pull tabs along the bottom of the keyboard.

      • Lift the pull tabs until the keyboard magnets release.

      • Remove the keyboard.

      • During reassembly, make sure the keyboard is seated properly on its alignment pegs and sits evenly with the edges of the laptop.

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    1. Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the numpad: step 6, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the numpad: step 6, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the numpad: step 6, image 3 of 3

      • The numpad is held in place with strong magnets. Apply gradually increasing force to avoid having the numpad violently eject.

      • Grip the pull tab at the bottom of the numpad.

      • Lift the pull tab until the numpad magnets release.

      • Remove the numpad.

      • During reassembly, make sure the numpad is seated properly on its alignment pegs and sits flush with the edges of the laptop.

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    1. Ventilation Plate Removal, Disconnect the midframe cable: step 7, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal, Disconnect the midframe cable: step 7, image 2 of 2

      • Grip the black pull tab on the midframe cable press connector.

      • Lift up to disconnect the midframe cable.

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    3. Ventilation Plate Removal, Loosen the midframe screws: step 8, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal, Loosen the midframe screws: step 8, image 2 of 2

      • The midframe screws are ordered from 2–17 (number 1 is the press connector). You don't have to follow the order, but you can use it to help keep track of the screws you've loosened.

      • Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen the 16 captive screws securing the midframe.

      • During reassembly, follow the order (starting with 2) to reinstall the screws across the midframe evenly.

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    4. Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the midframe: step 9, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the midframe: step 9, image 2 of 2

      • Use your fingernail to lift the bottom edge of the midframe enough to grip it with your fingers.

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    5. Ventilation Plate Removal: step 10, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal: step 10, image 2 of 2

      • Lift the midframe off the laptop and remove it.

      • During reassembly, make sure the midframe sits evenly on its alignment pegs before tightening the screws.

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    1. Ventilation Plate Removal, Loosen the battery screws: step 11, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal, Loosen the battery screws: step 11, image 2 of 2

      • Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen the three captive screws securing the battery.

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    2. Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the battery: step 12, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the battery: step 12, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the battery: step 12, image 3 of 3

      • Grip the black pull tab at the top of the battery.

      • Lift the pull tab to disconnect the battery connector.

      • Remove the battery.

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    1. Ventilation Plate Removal, Lift the interposer door: step 13, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal, Lift the interposer door: step 13, image 2 of 2

      • Lift the interposer door by its black pull tab and let it rest upright.

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    2. Ventilation Plate Removal, Loosen the interposer screws: step 14, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Loosen the interposer screws: step 14, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Loosen the interposer screws: step 14, image 3 of 3

      • If you have the graphics module installed, your interposer will have four screws. Otherwise, you'll have three screws.

      • Lift the pull tab on the interposer and let it rest vertically to access all of its screws.

      • Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen the three captive screws securing the interposer.

      • If you have the graphics module, use a T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen the four captive screws securing the interposer.

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    3. Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the interposer: step 15, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the interposer: step 15, image 2 of 2

      • Lift the interposer by its pull tab and remove it.

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    4. Ventilation Plate Removal, Loosen the expansion bay screws: step 16, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal, Loosen the expansion bay screws: step 16, image 2 of 2

      • Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen the two captive screws securing the expansion bay.

      • Close the interposer door before continuing.

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    5. Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the Expansion Bay module: step 17, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the Expansion Bay module: step 17, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the Expansion Bay module: step 17, image 3 of 3

      • Slide the Expansion Bay module out of the laptop and remove it.

      • The module should slide out easily. If you feel any resistance, check if the screws holding it in place are fully loosened.

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    1. Ventilation Plate Removal, Disconnect the fingerprint sensor: step 18, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Disconnect the fingerprint sensor: step 18, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Disconnect the fingerprint sensor: step 18, image 3 of 3

      • Use the flat end of a spudger, or a clean fingernail, to lift up the locking tab on the fingerprint sensor ZIF connector.

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    2. Ventilation Plate Removal: step 19, image 1 of 2 Ventilation Plate Removal: step 19, image 2 of 2
      Tool used on this step:
      Tweezers
      $4.99
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      • Use tweezers, or your fingers, to grip the blue pull tab and slide the fingerprint sensor cable straight out of its socket.

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    3. Ventilation Plate Removal: step 20, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal: step 20, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal: step 20, image 3 of 3

      • The fingerprint sensor cable is lightly adhered to the laptop frame.

      • Use your fingers to peel the fingerprint sensor cable away from the frame and separate the adhesive.

      • During reassembly, if your adhesive is still sticky, press the cable to the frame to re-adhere it. Otherwise, use double-sided tape to replace the adhesive.

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    4. Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the ventilation plate: step 21, image 1 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the ventilation plate: step 21, image 2 of 3 Ventilation Plate Removal, Remove the ventilation plate: step 21, image 3 of 3

      • The ventilation plate is held in place with magnets.

      • Lift the bottom of the ventilation plate and pull it away from the laptop until the magnets release.

      • Remove the ventilation plate.

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Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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Author

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Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 01/16/22

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