Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

9

Time Required

                          20 - 30 minutes

Sections

3

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

Flags

1

Provided Hardware

A manufacturer provided iFixit with this device or component.

  • BackDell XPS 15 9520

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Introduction

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

              Unfasten the back cover
  • For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% and power down your device before disassembly.
  • Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the eight 3.3 mm-long screws securing the back cover.

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

Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the eight 3.3 mm-long screws securing the back cover.

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Step 2

              Insert an opening pick
  • Insert an opening pick between the bottom-right corner of the aluminum back cover and the chassis.
  • Leave the pick inserted before continuing to the next step.

Insert an opening pick between the bottom-right corner of the aluminum back cover and the chassis.

Leave the pick inserted before continuing to the next step.

Step 3

              Release the corner clip
  • Insert the flat end of the spudger into the gap you just created.
  • Pry up to release the corner clips.
  • Repeat this process for the opposite corner of the back cover.

Insert the flat end of the spudger into the gap you just created.

Pry up to release the corner clips.

Repeat this process for the opposite corner of the back cover.

Step 4

              Unclip the front edge
  • Reinsert your opening pick under the aluminum cover at the front edge of the laptop.
  • Pry to loosen the cover.
  • Pry at multiple locations along the front edge to release all of the retaining clips.
  • Do not use a sliding motion along the front edge. This may damage cables near the trackpad.

Reinsert your opening pick under the aluminum cover at the front edge of the laptop.

Pry to loosen the cover.

Pry at multiple locations along the front edge to release all of the retaining clips.

Do not use a sliding motion along the front edge. This may damage cables near the trackpad.

Step 5

              Remove the back cover
  • The edges of the back cover are very sharp. Use caution when handling it.
  • Lift the back cover off the chassis and remove it.
  • If the back cover feels stuck to the chassis, use an opening pick to release any remaining clips around the back cover’s perimeter.

The edges of the back cover are very sharp. Use caution when handling it.

Lift the back cover off the chassis and remove it.

If the back cover feels stuck to the chassis, use an opening pick to release any remaining clips around the back cover’s perimeter.

Step 6

              Disconnect the battery
  • Use the flat end of a spudger to push the battery connector’s square tab away from the socket and disconnect it.

Use the flat end of a spudger to push the battery connector’s square tab away from the socket and disconnect it.

Step 7

              Unfasten the SSD cover
  • Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2.6 mm-long screw securing the SSD cover.

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2.6 mm-long screw securing the SSD cover.

Step 8

              Remove the SSD cover
  • Grip edges of the SSD cover near the screw indent.
  • Pull the cover from the chassis to free it from the silver retaining peg.
  • Remove the SSD cover.

Grip edges of the SSD cover near the screw indent.

Pull the cover from the chassis to free it from the silver retaining peg.

Remove the SSD cover.

Step 9

              Remove the SSD
  • Grip the edges of the SSD near the screw indent.
  • Pull the SSD straight out of its socket and remove it.
  • If it feels stuck, wiggle it side to side as you pull.

Grip the edges of the SSD near the screw indent.

Pull the SSD straight out of its socket and remove it.

If it feels stuck, wiggle it side to side as you pull.

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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Author

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                    Clay Eickemeyer

Member since: 09/19/2022

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