How to Install a Thermal Pad in the Framework Laptop 16 AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series

ID: 199810

Description: Use this guide to replace the thermal compound,...

Steps:

1. Unplug all cables and fully shut down your laptop.

2. Use your fingernail to pull out the two Input Module latches and unlock them.
3. The latch will show red if it's unlocked.

4. Use your fingers to slide the Touchpad Spacer toward the bottom edge of the laptop and unclip it.
5. If you're having trouble, check if the corresponding Input Module latch is properly unlocked.
6. Lift the Touchpad Spacer off the laptop and remove it.

7. Repeat the same procedure for the other touchpad spacer.

8. Use your fingers to slide the Touchpad Module toward the bottom edge of the laptop and disconnect it.
9. If you're having trouble, check if the Input Module latches are properly unlocked.
10. Lift the Touchpad Module and remove it.

11. The keyboard is held in place with strong magnets. Apply gradually increasing force to avoid having the keyboard violently eject.
12. Grip the two pull tabs along the bottom of the keyboard and lift until its magnets release.
13. Remove the keyboard.

14. Your Input Module(s) might be different, but the procedure to remove them is the same.
15. Grip the pull tab at the bottom of the Input Module and lift until its magnets release.
16. Remove the Input Module.
17. Repeat for any remaining Input Modules.

18. Grip the black pull tab on the Mid Plate cable press connector.
19. Lift up to disconnect the Mid Plate cable.

20. The Mid Plate 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.
21. Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the 16 captive T5 Torx screws securing the Mid Plate.

22. Use your fingers to lift the Mid Plate off the laptop and remove it.

23. Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the three captive T5 Torx screws securing the battery.

24. Grip the black pull tab at the top of the battery and lift to disconnect the battery connector.
25. Remove the battery.

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

27. If you have the Graphics Module installed, your interposer will have four screws. If you have the Expansion Bay Shell installed, you'll have three screws instead.
28. If you have the Graphics Module, use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the four captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.
29. If you have the Expansion Bay Shell, use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the three captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.

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

31. Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the two captive T5 Torx screws securing the module in the Expansion Bay.
32. Close the interposer door before continuing.

33. Close your laptop and flip it over.
34. Slide the Expansion Bay Module out of the laptop and remove it.
35. The module should slide out easily. If you feel any resistance, check if the screws holding it in place are fully loosened.
36. Flip your laptop and reopen it.

37. Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver, or a clean fingernail, to lift up the locking tab on the fingerprint reader ZIF connector next to the memory.

38. Use your fingers to grip the blue pull tab and slide the fingerprint reader cable straight out of its socket.

39. The fingerprint reader cable is lightly adhered to the laptop's frame.
40. Use your fingers to peel the fingerprint reader cable away from the frame and separate the adhesive.

41. The ventilation plate is held in place with magnets.
42. Lift the bottom of the ventilation plate and pull it away from the laptop until the magnets release.
43. Remove the ventilation plate.

44. Use your Framework Screwdriver to remove or loosen the T5 Torx screws securing the CPU Heatsink.
45. Remove the two 2.0 mm‑long screws along the top corners of the Mainboard.
46. Loosen the captive screws directly over the CPU in order from 1–4.
47. Loosen the captive screw above the primary SSD.

48. Use the flat end of the Framework Screwdriver to pry up the edges of the heatsink near the CPU until you feel the liquid metal separate.

49. Grip the CPU Heatsink near its curved pipes and lift it straight up to remove it.
50. Sections of the foam pad on the heatsink might stick to the CPU. Don't worry, this won't affect the procedure.

51. Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your Framework Laptop.

52. If you're removing liquid metal, follow the next two steps. Otherwise skip here to remove the thermal pad.
53. Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver to scrape off the hardened sections of liquid metal on the CPU.
54. Use a few drops of high concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to wipe away the remaining residue.

55. Use your fingers to peel off the plastic shield surrounding the CPU.
56. If the foam pad on the CPU doesn't come off with the tape, use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver to pry it off.

57. Use a few drops of high concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to wipe away the remaining residue from the foam pad and the liquid metal.
58. Skip the next step.

59. Use a few drops of high concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to wipe away the foam pad residue on the bottom of the heatsink.
60. Peel off the foam pad tape and remove it.

61. Use a few drops of high concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to wipe away the thermal pad residue.

62. Repeat the previous step for the thermal pad residue on the bottom of the heatsink.

63. Peel off the clear liner from the thermal pad to expose one side of it
64. Place the exposed side of the thermal pad over the CPU and press it into place.
65. If you have trouble handling your thermal pad, you can store it in your fridge for a few minutes to make it more rigid.

66. Remove the green liner from the thermal pad to expose its top side.

67. Align your heatsink over the CPU and place it straight down onto the Mainboard.
68. The thermal pad needs to go through a few thermal cycles before it gets to full performance.

69. Use your Framework Screwdriver to install or tighten the T5 Torx screws securing the CPU Heatsink.
70. Tighten the captive screws directly over the CPU in reverse order from 4–1.
71. Tighten the captive screw above the primary SSD.
72. Install the two 2.0 mm‑long screws along the top corners of the Mainboard.

73. Lay the ventilation plate along the top edge of the laptop and let its magnets pull into place.

74. Use your fingers to grip the blue pull tab and slide the fingerprint reader cable straight into its socket.

75. Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver, or a clean fingernail, to press down the locking tab on the fingerprint reader ZIF connector.

76. Press the fingerprint reader cable to the frame to re-adhere it.

77. Close the interposer door.

78. If you have the Graphics Module installed, your interposer will have four screws. If you have the Expansion Bay Shell installed, you'll have three screws instead.
79. If you have the Graphics Module, use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the four captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.
80. If you have the Expansion Bay Shell, use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the three captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.
81. Close the interposer door.

82. Place the interposer over its spot between the Mainboard and the module.
83. Depending on if you're installing a Graphics Module or the Expansion Bay Shell, the interposer should be oriented so either rubber grommets or metal tabs cover the Expansion Bay screws.

84. Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the two captive T5 Torx screws securing the Expansion Bay Module.

85. Close your laptop and flip it over.
86. Align the Expansion Bay Module with its slot in the laptop.
87. Check that the module sits evenly with the rail on the outside edges of the slot.
88. Check that the two center rails are threaded between the fans.

89. Align the battery connector over its socket and lay the battery into its well.
90. Lightly press the battery down to connect it.

91. Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the three captive T5 Torx screws securing the battery.

92. Place the Mid Plate on the laptop, making sure it sits evenly on its alignment pegs.

93. Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the 16 captive T5 Torx screws in order (starting with 2) to secure the Mid Plate evenly.

94. Align the Mid Plate cable press connector over its socket and press down to connect it.

95. Your Input Module(s) might be different, but the procedure to remove them is the same.
96. Align the top edge of the Input Module with the top edge of the laptop.
97. Lay the Input Module on the laptop and let the magnets pull the keyboard into place
98. Make sure the Input Module is seated properly on its alignment pegs and sits flush with the edges of the laptop.
99. Repeat for any remaining Input Modules.

100. Align the top edge of the keyboard with the top edge of the laptop.
101. Lay the keyboard on the laptop and let the magnets pull the keyboard into place
102. Make sure the keyboard is seated properly on its alignment pegs and sits flush with the edges of the laptop.

103. Place the Touchpad Module flat on its cutout so its clips are properly aligned.
104. Press the Touchpad Module down and slide it into place so it lines up evenly with the bottom edge of the laptop.

105. Place the Touchpad Spacer over its spot on the laptop with the bottom edge overhanging slightly.
106. Slide the Touchpad Spacer towards the top of the laptop to secure it.
107. Repeat the same procedure for the other Touchpad Spacer.