Framework Laptop 12 Mainboard Removal

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.

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.

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

Use your fingers to flip the two Expansion Card latches (one for each side) into the unlocked position.

Grip the lip of an Expansion Card with your fingers.

Pull the Expansion Card out of its slot and remove it.

Repeat this procedure to remove all remaining Expansion Cards.

Use your Framework Screwdriver to fully loosen the eight captive T5 Torx screws on the bottom of your laptop.

Flip your laptop face-up on your work surface.

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

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.

Remove the Input Cover.

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

Grab the orange battery tab with your fingers and lift straight up to disconnect the battery.

Lift and remove the battery from the laptop.

Use your fingers to flip open the memory flap.

Use your fingers to spread the clips on both sides of the memory module apart to unclip the memory.

Use your fingers to grab the memory module by its edges.

Slide the memory module out of its socket and remove it.

Use your finger to press down on the black SSD latch to unlatch the SSD.

Grab the SSD by its edges and pull it out of its socket.

Remove the SSD.

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

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

Remove the Audio Board.

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

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

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screw securing the Wi-Fi card bracket.

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.

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.

Gently lift the connector straight up to disconnect the white antenna cable.

Repeat the procedure with the black antenna cable.

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

Remove the Wi-Fi card.

Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver to gently push on one of the fan connector's protruding edges, then the other, to loosen the connector out of its socket.

Use your fingers and your Framework Screwdriver to slide the fan connector out of its socket.

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the two captive T5 Torx screws securing the fan.

Lift and remove the fan.

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the four captive T5 Torx screws securing the heatsink.

Slide the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver under the heatsink arm labeled "2".

Gently twist the Framework Screwdriver to lift the heatsink arm and loosen the heatsink.

Repeat the procedure with the heatsink arm labeled "3".

Lift and remove the heatsink.

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screw securing the Wi-Fi card bracket.

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

Carefully reposition the Wi-Fi card away from the Mainboard.

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

Lift straight up to disconnect the cable.

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

Lift straight up to disconnect the cable.

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the five captive T5 Torx screws securing the Mainboard.

Use your fingers to grab the Mainboard by its edges.

Lift and remove the Mainboard.