Replacing a Laptop Cooling Fan

A laptop cooling fan that works well is vital. Everything is compressed in a laptop computer so it becomes extremely hot. The chance for ventilation is limited. Hot air is pushed out of the side of the computer. If the laptop cooling fan isn’t working properly then the laptop will overheat very quickly and shut down.

Step 1 - Disassembly

Consult the owner’s manual on the correct way to disassemble the computer and reach the laptop cooling fan. Begin by removing the battery after turning the computer off and removing the power cord. This ensures there will be no power in the computer. The owner’s manual will show you how to remove the main computer case. You’ll need a small screwdriver for this job. As you remove each screw, keep it safe.

Step 2 - Hard Drive

The next step is to remove the CD/DVD drive. This will be held in place by a screw, Unscrew and gently pull out the CD drive. Keep the screw by the drive so you know which screw to use on it. The hard drive should be in a slot. Remove the screw that holds it in place and pull out the hard drive.

Step 3 - Keyboard

To take out the keyboard, turn over the laptop and take out the screws that secure the keyboard. Turn the computer back over and pull out the keyboard. It will be held to the motherboard by a ribbon cable. Unplug this. Finally, take out the keyboard bezel and the palm rest. These will be held in place by screws and snaps.

Step 4 - Old Cooling Fan

Now you can access the motherboard and the old laptop cooling fan. It will be plugged in. Unplug it and then remove the screws that hold it in place. Take out the laptop cooling fan and the heat sink. There will be some residue of thermal paste, which is also known as thermal compound, on the CPU. Wipe this off with a cloth. Discard the old laptop cooling fan.

Step 5 - New Cooling Fan

Spread a very thin fresh layer of thermal paste on the CPU to cover where the laptop cooling fan will touch it. Screw the new laptop cooling fan in place and then remove it again to check fill coverage by the thermal paste. Screw back in again and plug back in.

Step 6 - Reassembly

Reassembling the laptop computer by reversing the steps you used to take it apart. Be aware that reassembly after installing a new laptop cooling fan is a trickier process than taking it apart. There is absolutely no spare space so everything has to be made to fit perfectly.

Once assembled, plug in the laptop and boot it up. You might have to wait a few minutes for the fan to kick in, but you’ll feel hot air coming from the side of the machine. The fan doesn’t operate continuously; don’t be concerned if it shuts off.