Mac mini (2024) Fan Replacement

ID: 180198

Description: Use this guide to replace or clean the fan in...

Fully shut down your Mac mini and unplug all cables from it.
Flip over your Mac mini and place it on a clean, flat surface to avoid scratching the chassis.

Using the Jimmy or other metal tools during this step could scratch the aluminum chassis; however, it's the simplest way to perform this step. Follow the alternate instructions to avoid scratching the aluminum.
Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the bottom cover and the chassis.
Pry up the bottom cover to create a gap.
Alternatively, you can insert the point of a spudger into one of the plastic vent holes and pry up to create a gap big enough to insert an opening pick into.
Keep the Jimmy inserted under the bottom cover.

Continue sliding and prying with the pick along the perimeter of the bottom cover to release the remaining pins.
Don't insert the pick more than an inch when sliding near the power button, as you risk damaging the cable.
During reassembly, press along the perimeter of the bottom until you hear and feel all four pins click back into place.

Don't remove the bottom cover, as it's still connected to the Mac mini with a cable.
Lift the edge of the bottom cover opposite the power button and flip it over to expose the power button cable.

The power button cable is very fragile! You don't have to disconnect it to access the internals— but it will require you to keep the bottom cover propped up.
To disconnect the cable and remove the bottom cover, follow the next two steps.
If you don't disconnect the cable, prop up the bottom cover to prevent straining the cable and skip the next two steps.
Grip the power button cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
While the Mac mini uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.
Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the twelve screws securing the inner plate:
Eight 3.4 mm‑long screws
Four 2.4 mm‑long screws

Insert the point of a spudger into one of the clips' slots on the inner plate.
Pry up the inner plate enough so you can grip the edge along the same side as the headphone jack.

Pull the inner plate away from the chassis to slide it out from under the lip on the heat sink.
During reassembly, slide the inner plate back under the heat sink and press along its edges to secure it in the chassis.

Don't remove the inner plate yet, as it's still connected to the Mac mini by a cable.
Lift the inner plate and flip it over to expose the wireless module cable.

Use one hand to secure the wireless module during this step.
Use a Torx Plus 5IP screwdriver to remove the four 2.5 mm‑long screws securing the wireless module cover.

Remove the wireless module cover.
During reassembly, look the bottom of the cover to find the foam rectangle. Align the foam rectangle over the wireless module press connector to find the proper orientation for the cover.

Use one hand to secure the wireless module during this step.
Insert the point of a spudger under one of the short edges of the wireless module press connector.
Don't insert your spudger anywhere else, as you risk dislodging surface-mounted components.
Pry up to disconnect the wireless module.