Introduction

Use this guide to replace the heatsink and fan in your Dell Latitude 7490 laptop.

Note: The heatsink and fan are connected and must be replaced as one assembly.

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    • Allow your laptop's battery to drain below 25% before starting this repair—a charged battery may catch fire if damaged.

    • Unplug all cables and fully shut down your laptop.

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    • Flip your laptop over so the rubber feet strips are facing up.

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    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to fully loosen the eight captive screws securing the back cover.

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    • Plastic clips secure the back cover to the frame. You'll hear and feel them release as you work.

    • Insert the long side of an opening pick between the top right corner of the back cover and frame.

    • Pry the back cover up to release the clips securing the top right corner.

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    • Slide the opening pick down the right edge and around the bottom right corner to release the clips.

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    • Slide the opening pick along the front edge and up to the top left corner to release the remaining clips securing the back cover.

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    • Remove the back cover.

    • During reassembly, lay the back cover on the frame and press down firmly around the perimeter to engage all the clips.

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    • Grip the plastic tab on the battery connector and pull straight up to disconnect it.

    • During reassembly, align this connector over its socket and press down until it clicks into place. If it doesn't connect, re‑align it and try again.

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    • Push on alternating sides of the fan cable connector with the point of a spudger to "walk" it out of its socket.

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    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the heatsink and fan:

    • Two 5.6 mm‑long screws on the fan

    • Four 3.7 mm‑long screws on the heatsink

    • During reassembly, tighten the heatsink screws in an "X" pattern. For example: top left, bottom right, bottom left, top right. This ensures even pressure across the heatsink and CPU.

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    • The heatsink is bonded to the CPU with thermal paste. The strength of the bond will vary depending on how recently thermal paste was applied.

    • Don't pry againt any chips, resistors, or cables.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the bottom right corner of the heatsink until it breaks free from the CPU.

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    • Remove the heatsink and fan.

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    • Before installing a new heatsink, follow this guide to clean the CPU and heatsink and reapply thermal paste.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

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