Framework Laptop 12 Bottom Cover Replacement

Written By: Arthur Shi

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Framework Laptop 12 Bottom Cover Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Follow this guide to remove and replace a Bottom Cover in your Framework Laptop 12.

The Bottom Cover (aka base cover, bottom case, or bottom panel) is the plastic shell that forms the bottom half of the laptop. You can use this guide to swap a different colored Bottom Cover, or replace a cracked cover.

You'll encounter some component terms in this guide:

The Input Cover is the part that contains the keyboard and trackpad.
The Top Cover is the plastic shell that houses the display.

Tools

Parts

Framework Laptop 12 Bottom Cover Kit

Step 1

Before you begin repairs, unplug your laptop and shut it down from the operating system. This ensures that the laptop isn't in standby/suspend mode.
The indicator LEDs along the edges should be unlit. The laptop should be silent.
If you accidentally turn on the laptop during repair, hold the power button down for 10 seconds to shut it down.
Make sure your Framework Screwdriver has the T5 Torx bit (labeled as T-5) facing outwards. If it's not, pull the bit out and flip it.

Step 2

Set your Framework Laptop face-down on a clean work surface.

Step 3

Use your fingers to flip the two Expansion Card latches (one for each side) into the unlocked position.
The latches display a red bar when they're unlocked.

Step 4

Grip the lip of an Expansion Card with your fingers.
Pull the Expansion Card out of its slot and remove it.
If you have trouble pulling the Expansion Card out, you can also use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver to push against the lip.
Repeat this procedure to remove all remaining Expansion Cards.

Step 5

Use your Framework Screwdriver to fully loosen the eight captive T5 Torx screws on the bottom of your laptop.
Most screws in your Framework Laptop (including these) are captive—they're designed to stay in place after you loosen them.
Your laptop comes with a spare set of screws in the frame above the battery. Be careful—the replacement screws aren't captive.

Step 6

Flip your laptop face-up on your work surface.

Step 7

Open the laptop lid so that both the screen and the base lie flat on your work surface.

Step 8

Use your fingers to grip the Input Cover in the hinge cutouts.
Lift upwards to swing the Input Cover up from the base of the laptop.
You may feel resistance from the magnets. If the cover feels like it's snagged, check that you've fully loosened the screws on the bottom of your laptop.
Remove the Input Cover.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Grab the orange battery tab with your fingers and lift straight up to disconnect the battery.
The battery connector can be tight, requiring some force. If it feels like part of the battery won't come up, check that the battery screws are fully loosened.

Step 11

Lift and remove the battery from the laptop.

Step 12

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screw securing the Audio Board along the left edge of the laptop.

Step 13

Use your fingers to lift the right edge of the Audio Board and pull it out of its recess.
Remove the Audio Board.

Step 14

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screw securing the Power Button Board (labeled "Power Board").

Step 15

Use your fingers to lift and remove the Power Button Board.

Step 16

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screw securing the Wi-Fi card bracket.
The Wi-Fi card will pop up slightly when you unfasten the bracket.

Step 17

Grab the Wi-Fi card bracket with your fingers and slide it off the top of the Wi-Fi card.
Remove the bracket and store it in a safe location for reassembly.

Step 18

The Wi-Fi card has two delicate coaxial cable connectors. Follow this step carefully to avoid damaging them.
Press and hold the Wi-Fi card down with your finger.
Slide the flat edge of your Framework Screwdriver under the white antenna cable, as close to the metal head as possible.
If you have angled tweezers, slide one arm of a pair of tweezers under the antenna connector, as close to the metal head as possible.
Gently lift the connector straight up to disconnect the white antenna cable.
Repeat the procedure with the black antenna cable.

Step 19

Grab the Wi-Fi card by the edges and pull it out of its socket.
Remove the Wi-Fi card.

Step 20

Use your fingers to grab the orange tab on the webcam cable, located near the left hinge.
Lift straight up to disconnect the cable.

Step 21

Use your fingers to grab the orange tab on the display cable, located near the right hinge.
Lift straight up to disconnect the cable.

Step 22

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the five captive T5 Torx screws securing the Mainboard.
These screws are also physically marked with an orange ring on the Mainboard.

Step 23

Make sure you've removed all Expansion Cards. Installed cards will hold the Mainboard in place.
Use your fingers to grab the Mainboard by its edges.
Lift and remove the Mainboard.

Step 24

Use your fingers to lift the black plastic loop securing the antenna cable, near the heat vents by the left hinge.

Step 25

Use your fingers to lift and guide the antenna cable out of the frame channel.

Step 26

Use your fingers to gently lift the webcam cable out of its plastic channel.

Step 27

Use your Framework Screwdriver to remove the six (three per hinge) 4.5 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the two hinges.
These screws are not captive. Store them in a safe location for reassembly.

Step 28

Use your fingers to lift the hinges over the Bottom Cover lip.
Separate the Top Cover from the Bottom Cover.

Step 29

Compare your new replacement Bottom Cover to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove liners from the new part before you install it.

Step 30

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

Step 31

Use your fingers to lift the Top Cover hinges over the Bottom Cover lip.
Lay the hinges in place in the Bottom Cover.
Use the plastic alignment pins to align each hinge in place.

Step 32

Use your Framework Screwdriver to install the six 4.5 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the two hinges.

Step 33

Use your fingers to gently press the webcam cable into its plastic channel.

Step 34

Use your fingers and your Framework Screwdriver to carefully press and guide the black antenna cable back into its channel.
Zoom in on the second image to see how the antenna cable sits in its channel.

Step 35

Press the black loop over the antenna cable and onto the Bottom Cover. If it doesn't stick, use a bit of thin double-sided tape to hold it down.

Step 36

Carefully lay the Mainboard in the laptop.
Use the two alignment pins to help align the Mainboard to the laptop.
Be careful not to trap the webcam, display, and antenna cables under the Mainboard as you set it in place.

Step 37

Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the five captive T5 Torx screws to secure the Mainboard.

Step 38

Use your fingers to grab the orange tab on the display cable, located near the right hinge.
Align and press the display cable straight down onto its connector.

Step 39

Use your fingers to grab the orange tab on the webcam cable, located near the left hinge.
Align and press the webcam cable straight down onto its connector.

Step 40

Hold the Wi-Fi card by its edges. Don't touch the gold contacts with your fingers. If you do, wipe the contacts with a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any finger oils.
Align the Wi-Fi card's gold contacts and notch with the socket on the Mainboard.
Insert the Wi-Fi card into the socket at a shallow angle. The gold contacts should mostly be covered by the socket.
The Wi-Fi card fits into the socket in one orientation. If it doesn't fit, try flipping the module.

Step 41

Hold the Wi-Fi card down with your finger.
Position the black antenna cable connector over the left Wi-Fi card's coaxial socket.
Tweezers can help position the connector.
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.
These connectors are very delicate! If the connector doesn't feel like it's clicking in place, reposition the connector and try again.
Repeat the procedure with the white antenna cable.

Step 42

Slide the Wi-Fi bracket over the top edge of the Wi-Fi card.

Step 43

Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the captive T5 Torx screw to secure the Wi-Fi card.

Step 44

Use your fingers to lay the Power Button Board in place.
Use the two plastic pins on the laptop to align the Power Button Board.

Step 45

Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the captive T5 Torx screw to secure the Power Button Board.
Tighten the screw until it's snug. Don't over-tighten it, or you may strip the screw.

Step 46

Insert the Audio Board into the laptop at an angle to help align the headphone jack.
Use the two plastic alignment pins on the laptop to help with final alignment.

Step 47

Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the captive T5 Torx screw to secure the Audio Board.
Tighten the screw until it's snug. Don't over-tighten it, or you may strip the screw.

Step 48

Lay the battery in its recess in the laptop.

Step 49

Use your finger to push the battery down near its connector to reconnect it.

Step 50

Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the six captive T5 Torx screws to secure the battery.
Tighten the screws until they're snug. Don't over-tighten them, or you may strip the screws.

Step 51

Angle the bottom edge of the Input Cover towards the base of the laptop.
Align and insert the bottom edge of the Input Cover into the base of the laptop.
Make sure the slots along the bottom edge of the Input Cover slide into the tabs in the base.
Lower the Input Cover's top edge onto the laptop until the magnets snap it in place.
Make sure the Input Cover sits neatly within the laptop frame and no corners are popping up.

Step 52

Close the laptop lid.
Flip your laptop face-down on a clean work surface.

Step 53

Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the eight captive T5 Torx screws on the bottom of your laptop.
Tighten the screws until they're snug. Don't over-tighten them, or you may strip the screws.

Step 54

Slide each Expansion Card into its Expansion Card slot.

Step 55

If there's a red bar showing under either Expansion Card latch, use your finger to flip the latch and lock the Expansion Card into its slot.
Locking the Expansion Card slots helps keep the cards in place when you unplug cables from them.