Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

8

Time Required

                          15 - 30 minutes

Sections

3

  • Back Cover
  • 3 steps
  • Battery Cable
  • 1 step
  • SSD
  • 4 steps

Flags

1

Provided Hardware

A manufacturer provided iFixit with this device or component.

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Introduction

Note that the SSD shield is only required for 30 mm-long (M.2 2230) SSDs. If you install an 80 mm-long full size (M.2 2280) SSD, do not install the shield. This will be described again in the relevant step below.

Before you perform this repair, back up your existing SSD if possible. If you’re replacing the SSD where your operating system is installed, familiarize yourself with a disk cloning utility so you’ll be ready to migrate your data to the new SSD.

What you need

Step 1

              Remove the back screws
  • For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% and power down your device before disassembly.
  • Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the eight 3.2 mm-long screws.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% and power down your device before disassembly.

Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the eight 3.2 mm-long screws.

1024

Step 2

              Release the clips
  • At each corner, insert an opening pick between the back cover and the device body.
  • Pry upward to release the retaining clips. Listen for a loud click when each clip releases.

At each corner, insert an opening pick between the back cover and the device body.

Pry upward to release the retaining clips. Listen for a loud click when each clip releases.

Step 3

              Remove the back cover
  • The edges of the cover are very sharp. Use caution when handling this panel.
  • Lift the front edge of the cover away from you.
  • Some clips may release during this step. If the cover is stuck, move it side to side to help release additional clips.
  • Remove the back cover from the laptop.

The edges of the cover are very sharp. Use caution when handling this panel.

Lift the front edge of the cover away from you.

Some clips may release during this step. If the cover is stuck, move it side to side to help release additional clips.

Remove the back cover from the laptop.

Step 4

              Disconnect the battery cable
  • Push the battery connector out of its socket using the pointed end of a spudger.
  • Push the small tabs on the side of the connector to avoid damaging the cables.

Push the battery connector out of its socket using the pointed end of a spudger.

Push the small tabs on the side of the connector to avoid damaging the cables.

Step 5

              Remove the screw from the SSD cover
  • Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the 3.7 mm-long screw from the SSD cover.
  • This cover won’t be used if an 80 mm-long full-size SSD is installed.

Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the 3.7 mm-long screw from the SSD cover.

This cover won’t be used if an 80 mm-long full-size SSD is installed.

Step 6

              Pull the SSD cover off
  • Pull the cover off and away from the silver retaining peg.
  • During reassembly, don’t install this cover if you’re upgrading to a full-size SSD. The cover is needed only for 30 mm-long (M.2 2230) SSDs.

Pull the cover off and away from the silver retaining peg.

During reassembly, don’t install this cover if you’re upgrading to a full-size SSD. The cover is needed only for 30 mm-long (M.2 2230) SSDs.

Step 7

              Remove the SSD by hand
  • Grab the SSD by the corners. Be gentle to not pull up on the SSD.
  • Pull it straight out from the socket. If it feels stuck, wiggle it side to side.

Grab the SSD by the corners. Be gentle to not pull up on the SSD.

Pull it straight out from the socket. If it feels stuck, wiggle it side to side.

Step 8

              Reassembly notes
  • For more information on how to install an M.2 SSD, check out this guide.

For more information on how to install an M.2 SSD, check out this guide.

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

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Dell XPS answers community for help.

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                    Clay Eickemeyer

Member since: 09/19/2022

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