How to Replace a Laptop Microphone

Having an inbuilt laptop microphone can be a valuable asset for your machine. However, like most electronic components, they do have a limited life span and will need replacing at some point. Most laptops with built in microphones will have a small hole somewhere on the keyboard face or in the button panel cover above the keyboard. Models will vary but in general the way to locate your inbuilt microphone is to look for the small hole somewhere on your computer.

Step 1 – Shutting Down the Power

Shut down your laptop correctly, using the start menu and “Turn Off.” Remove the power lead and the battery so there is no power to the laptop.

Step 2 – Disassembling the Laptop

It is not necessary to take the whole computer to pieces just to remove the damaged microphone. Using a small flat head screwdriver, lift the button panel cover from between the “Esc” and “F1” keys. Unclip the button panel cover carefully and remove it from the laptop. This will expose the button panel chip board.

Step 3 –Removing the Keyboard

If the model you are working on has the microphone in a place that is not above the keyboard you will need to unscrew the keyboard and remove that to access the underneath. On the keyboard you will note four screws across the top. One will be just below the “F1” key and the others will be at equal distances along. Unscrew them with the small Philips screwdriver and lift the keyboard away from the surface slowly. Turn it toward you but note that there is a keyboard interface cable underneath it, which should be treated with delicacy.

Step 4 – Detaching the Keyboard

Detach the thin strip cable from underneath the keyboard to remove it from the laptop. In some models you will also find another holding screw below the keyboard in the palm rest, so check your particular model.

Step 5 – Removing the Microphone

Note that the microphone will have a cable connector running to it from somewhere nearby on the button panel. Locate the connector cable and trace it to the fixing where it attaches to the motherboard and remove the cable connector. The microphone will either unscrew or clip out, depending which laptop you have. Remove the microphone using the correct method for your laptop.

Step 6 – Fitting the New Microphone

Fit the new microphone in the same way that you removed the old one, but in reverse. Set the microphone in its setting and clip or screw it down. Trace the connector cable along the same route of the previous one and clip the power attachment into the plug.

Step 7 – Replacing the Keyboard and Cover Plate

Reattach the keyboard cable and set the keyboard into place. Screw the keyboard back down and then clip the button panel cover back into place. Replace the laptop battery in the compartment and plug the lead back in to test your new microphone.