How to Open an HP Laptop & Replace the Fan

The purpose of each notebook cooling fan is to adjust the temperature of the CPU or processor chip. If the fan is broken, the CPU will overheat, causing serious damage to the motherboard and any nearby hardware. At this time, we need to replace the internal fan of the laptop so that the computer can properly dissipate and running.

 To replace the notebook fan, you may need items:

Screwdriver set

Anti-static wrist strap

Guitar pick

1. Turn off the notebook and disconnect all power from the HP laptop. Close the LCD screen and place the notebook face down.

2. Remove the Phillips head screw that secures the hard drive cover to the lower right corner of the notebook. Remove the cover from the laptop. Remove any Phillips head screws that secure the hard drive to its compartment. Slide the hard drive to the right and remove the hard drive from the notebook.

3. Locate the large RAM and wireless card cover in the center of the notebook. Remove the fixed Phillips head screws. Remove the cover from the laptop. A fixed locker is unfolded on both sides of the RAM module. Tilt the module at an angle and slide it out of the RAM compartment. Repeat this step to remove each module.

4. Disconnect the two antenna cables from the wireless network card. Remove the two Phillips head screws that secure the wireless card to the system board. Remove the wireless network card from your laptop. Take a CMOS battery out of its compartment.

5. Locate the CD/DVD drive on the left side of the RAM compartment. Remove the single fixed Phillips head screw of the drive from the upper left corner of the RAM bay. Grasp the surface of the drive and slide it out of its compartment. Remove all remaining Phillips head screws from the bottom case of the notebook. Depending on the laptop model, there may be up to 30 screws.

6. Turn the laptop over and pull the LCD screen open. Insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the lower right side of the keyboard bezel located above the keyboard. Lift the baffle strip, but do not remove it completely. It has two cables connected to it and needs to be disconnected later. Place the bezel face down on the work surface of the notebook so that it does not prevent you from using the keyboard.

7.If necessary, remove any Phillips head screws that secure the keyboard in place. Grab the top edge of the keyboard. Remove the keyboard from its compartment and place it face down on the touchpad. Disconnect the ribbon cable from the keyboard to the motherboard. Remove the keyboard from your laptop.

8.Locate the black ribbon cable from the left side of the bezel strip. Disconnect their connections to the motherboard. Remove the bezel strip from the laptop.

9.Locate and disconnect the LCD video cable on the left side of the LCD. Remove the Phillips screws from each LCD hinge and remove the LCD panel from the notebook.

10. Locate the touchpad cable above the touchpad area. Disconnect the cable from the motherboard. Remove all remaining Phillips head screws from the upper case of the notebook. Insert the guitar pad into the gap at the outer edge of the notebook to separate the top and bottom covers. Pick up the top case with a guitar pick. Remove the top cover from the laptop.

11. Disconnect all cables connected to the motherboard. Remove the Phillips head screws that secure the motherboard to the bottom case of the notebook. Slowly remove the motherboard from the base of the notebook and check for any attached cables at the bottom of the motherboard. Disconnect all remaining cables connected to the bottom of the motherboard.

12. Take the motherboard out of the notebook and turn it over. Place the motherboard on a soft, clean surface. Locate the cooling fan assembly. Remove the fixed Phillips head screws. Disconnect the fan power cable from the motherboard. Remove the fan from the motherboard.

The steps for replacing the different models of HP laptop fans are not the same, but the general steps are as above, you can replace some tutorials to complete the replacement of the damaged fan. For more notebook repair accessories, laptop screen/laptop keyboard and repair tutorials please refer to GEMWON.