Framework Laptop 16 Bottom Cover Replacement

ID: 205679

Description: Use this guide to remove and replace the Bottom...

Steps:

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

2. Close the laptop and flip it over.

3. Use your finger to flip the Expansion Card latches into the unlocked position.
4. The latch displays a red bar when it's unlocked.

5. Grip the lip of the Expansion Card with your fingers.
6. Pull the Expansion Card out of its slot and remove it.
7. This might take some initial force. If you're having trouble, make sure the locking tab is properly unlocked.
8. Repeat for all remaining Expansion Cards.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27. 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.
28. Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the 16 captive T5 Torx screws securing the Mid Plate.

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

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

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

33. Lift the speaker cable connector by its black pull tab and disconnect it.

34. The speaker cable is routed along the bottom edge of the laptop. The next three steps will demonstrate how to unclip it.
35. Starting at one speaker, use the flat end of a spudger, or your fingers, to lift the speaker cable out of its rubber clips.

36. Slide the speaker cable out from under its screw hole peg in the frame.

37. Repeat the last two steps across the length of the speaker cable until it's completely unclipped.

38. Use your Framework Screwdriver to remove the two 2.0 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing each speaker (four in total).

39. Lift the speakers off their alignment pegs and remove them.

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

41. 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.
42. If you have the Graphics Module, use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the four captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.
43. If you have the Expansion Bay Shell, use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the three captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.

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

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

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

51. 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.

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

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

55. The ventilation plate is held in place with magnets.
56. Lift the bottom of the ventilation plate and pull it away from the laptop until the magnets release.
57. Remove the ventilation plate.

58. Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screw securing Wi-Fi module.
59. The module might pop up at a shallow angle when you loosen the screw.

60. Slide the clear plastic cover straight off the module and remove it.

61. While holding the Wi-Fi module down, insert the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver one of the coaxial connectors, where the cable meets the metal head.
62. Lift the screwdriver straight up to disconnect the coaxial cable.
63. Repeat for the other coaxial cable.

64. The bezel is secured with magnets.
65. Slide your fingernail under the inside edge of either bottom corner of the bezel.
66. Pull the bezel away from the screen to release the first few magnets.

67. Lift the bezel around the perimeter of the screen until all of its magnets are released.
68. Remove the bezel.

69. Grip the eDP cable connector to the right of the Wi-Fi module slot by its pull tab and lift up to disconnect it.
70. Repeat for the webcam cable connector next to it.

71. Lift the eDP, webcam, and antenna cables out of their vertical slot in the Bottom Cover.

72. Use your fingers to guide the eDP cable out of its clips along the top left edge of the Bottom Cover.

73. Repeat the previous step for the black antenna cable.

74. Use your fingers to guide the white antenna cable out of its clips along the top right edge of the Bottom Cover.

75. Repeat the previous step for the webcam cable.

76. While supporting the Top Cover with one hand, use your Framework Screwdriver to remove the four 3.9 mm‑long screws on each hinge connected to the Bottom Cover (8 total).

77. Lift the Top Cover from the Bottom Cover and remove it.

78. Lift up the interposer door to reveal the screw underneath.
79. The Mainboard screws are ordered from 1–6. You don't have to follow the order, but you can use it to help keep track of the screws you've removed.
80. Use your Framework Screwdriver to remove the six 2.0 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the Mainboard.

81. Use your fingers to lift the bottom edge of the Mainboard enough to grip its edges.
82. Lift the Mainboard off its alignment pegs and remove it.

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

84. The replacement Bottom Cover comes with pre-installed screws for the hinge, Mainboard, and the speakers. During reassembly, use those screws to replace your old ones.

85. If you have a secondary SSD installed, remove the blue liner on the thermal pad.

86. Place the Mainboard into the laptop and onto its alignment pegs.

87. Use your Framework Screwdriver to install the six 2.0 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the Mainboard.

88. Place the Top Cover over Bottom Top Cover, making sure the hinges are slotted into their alignment pegs.

89. While supporting the Top Cover with one hand, use your Framework Screwdriver to install the four 3.9 mm‑long screws on each hinge connected to the Bottom Cover (8 total).

90. Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver, or your fingers, to press the webcam cable into its clips at the top right edge of the Bottom Cover.

91. Repeat the previous step for the white antenna cable.

92. Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver, or your fingers, to press the black antenna cable into its clips at the top left edge of the Bottom Cover.

93. Repeat the previous step for the eDP cable.

94. Press the eDP, webcam, and antenna cables into their vertical slot in the Bottom Cover.

95. Press the eDP and webcam cable connectors straight down into their sockets to connect them.

96. Align the bezel over the perimeter of the display and let the magnets pull the bezel into place.
97. The bezel should "snap" into place. If it doesn't, realign it and make sure it sits flush with the display.

98. Hold the Wi-Fi module down with your finger.
99. Position the white antenna cable connector over the left Wi-Fi module's coaxial socket.
100. If you're unsure which cable goes where, refer to the arrows on the Wi-Fi module for which color cable matches with its connector.
101. Tweezers can help position the connector.
102. Use your finger to press the connector into place. You should feel a faint click, and the cable will stay attached to the socket by itself.
103. These connectors are very delicate! If the connector doesn't feel like it's clicking in place, reposition the connector and try again.
104. Repeat the procedure with the black antenna cable.

105. Slide the clear plastic cover on the module and align its screw with the screw hole cutout.

106. Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the captive T5 Torx screw securing Wi-Fi module.

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

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

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

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

111. Close the interposer door.

112. 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.
113. If you have the Graphics Module, use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the four captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.
114. If you have the Expansion Bay Shell, use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the three captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.
115. Close the interposer door.

116. Place the interposer over its spot between the Mainboard and the module.
117. 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.

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

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

123. Align the speakers over their alignment pegs and press them down into place.

124. Be very careful replacing these screws, as it's easy to damage their posts and prevent the screws from fully tightening. Don't overtighten the screws—just tighten them until they're snug.
125. Use your Framework Screwdriver to install the two 2.0 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing each speaker (four in total).

126. Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver to push the speaker cable back into its clips along the bottom edge of the laptop.

127. Press the speaker cable connector onto its socket to connect it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

147. Close the laptop and flip it over.

148. Slide an Expansion Card into an Expansion Card slot.
149. You don't need to unlock the latch to install the Expansion Cards—only when you want to remove them.
150. The Expansion Cards should click into place, and the front edge should be flush with the laptop.
151. Repeat for all remaining Expansion Cards.

152. Use your finger to flip both latches and lock the row of Expansion Cards above them.