Dell XPS 13 Fan Replacement

Written By: Ella Herrmann
  • Comments: 31
Dell XPS 13 Fan Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

10

Time Required

8 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the fan in the Dell XPS 13.

  1. d4dlLhKy4BBopKMR
    d4dlLhKy4BBopKMR
    k2WqKJVEtDes4Ca2

    • Remove the eight 4 mm T5 Torx screws from the bottom cover.

    Missing a step about removing the tiny Phillips head screw under the XPS flip up cover in the middle. Also, there are hooks all the way around the cover so it doesn’t simply lift off.

    curtis_p_brown -

    What about step 3???

    Peter Hecht -

    Please dont hurry , take your Time to follow this procedure. It takes 20 min (not 5) and step 4 requires half of this Time. Good luck.

    Peter Hecht -

    +1 Peter Hecht is right - getting the little clips the back is snapped on with is time consuming and a bit fiddly for people not used to “spudging” off covers. Starting from the back is the key those come loose much easier and help with the rest

    Doug Steinschneider -

  2. 2TNJ3aF1OiC3dQrY
    2TNJ3aF1OiC3dQrY
    RKMGHiGBGvwUs2b6

    • Use a plastic opening tool to pry open the 'XPS' flap in the middle.

    No flap or screw on the XPS 9370, just a press-fit latch at the centre of the cover. This can be gently prised off.

    Alan Thomas -

  3. TtZb5DNBruSpJQiH

    • Remove the single Phillips screw hidden beneath the flap.

    XPS 13 9370 doesn't have it.

    Kes Bond -

  4. SV3vQLxNPuaLAJc2

    • Use opening picks or a plastic pry tool to pry open the case clips, beginning from the back edge.

    It’s not that easy to lift actually, cause there are latches. Had t release them gently all around beforehand.

    Davit Barbakadze -

    Also there’s one additional screw under that plate on the bottom!

    Davit Barbakadze -

    Maybe the later models are different, since it should be from the front: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFIE2SKs...

    shigmas -

    Very difficult step, Proceed very carefull

    Peter Hecht -

    If you are replacing the battery of a 9360 or latter (2016 onward) make sure to do the FRONT first. There are latches on the back that you may break if you try to force it open that way. After prying up the front and the sides, just lift up the front like you would open a hinged box. You shouldn’t feel that much resistance as the back hinges off towards you after you’ve lifted it around 30-40 degrees.

    Giacomo P -

    Very easy with XPS 13 9370 - just used my nails (rather short!)

    Kes Bond -

  5. SclHTlmfKvgauUBi

    • Remove the bottom cover.

    good evening, is there a site that sells the back part because it's broken

    marios cocka -

    good evening, is there a site that sells the

    back part because it's broken

    marios cocka -

  6. PyUToIwsQDJBe6OD
    PyUToIwsQDJBe6OD
    33oCi1YwifwxZYRh

    • Pull the battery cable connector towards the battery to disconnect it from its socket.

    • If the connector is stubborn, push a little at one side, then the other, to "walk" it out of its socket.

    • If you have trouble walking the connector out of the socket, use the point of a spudger to gently push on the connector indent to slide the connector out.

    • Do not pull up.

    • Open the display and press the power button for five seconds to drain any remaining charge from the system.

    DO NOT OPEN THE DISPLAY!!! When I did, on my Dell XPS 13 9360, I cracked something in the top right corner where the power button is, and the plastic part of the button came out. I can still press it, but there is now a gap there and dust can get it.

    Asher Grossman -

    I opened they display, very carefull. No problem. Open just enough to press they button.

    Peter Hecht -

    Take care on later models. This is not a breakdown for the 9360, I learned that the hard way.

    Giacomo P -

    Agree with Asher Grossman, open at your peril!

    James White -

    First put the bottom cover back, with 4 screws, one at each corner. Then you can safely open the display and press the button. Then close the display and take the bottom cover off again.

    Patrick Bower -

    I did not do the open display and drain the battery because I did not understand this part and I know my battery was essentially dead, hence why I ordered one. Did everything else and voila! Works perfectly!

    Terri DiChito -

    Opening the display worked fine for me, but when I closed it again, something definitely didn’t quite go right – I think it was trying to push against the missing back cover. I managed to carefully close the display by pushing against the metal corner thingy that was meant to push against the cover, and so far the laptop still seems to work, but I concur with Asher and James, be careful at least. Patrick’s suggestion sounds great if I’d seen it in time :)

    Lucas Werkmeister -

    Ich konnte den Stecker schliesslich mit Hilfe einer Plektren sehr gut entfernen. Das Display habe ich nicht geöffnet.

    Ursulina Kölbener -

    Much better to ensure the old battery is fully depleted (unplug from mains & switch on & let it expire) before you begin replacement.

    This allows you to leave the unit face down whilst you work on replacing the battery.

    duncan cresswell -

    NO PROBLEMS with lifting the main body while the laptop is upside down, to reach the power button (XPS 13 9370). Also no problems with closing.

    Kes Bond -

    I confirm Duncan Cresswell's method. Let your old battery discharge completely until your laptop turns off by itself. This does require some patience. It took longer than expected to use up the last procent of the battery but it worked.

    NeoK -

  7. J3xV4inNJSrPEStr
    J3xV4inNJSrPEStr
    MapH5cB5HWktsBgh
    puTWLgM1bQgcOkaO

    • Use tweezers to remove the little white connector by pulling it out and away from its socket.

  8. 6RrOgRvvBRM6DDQA
    6RrOgRvvBRM6DDQA
    3ASoOPt2hQ3rEsDF

    • Remove the black standard flat connector by lifting the tab up with your hand.

    My XPS 13 had a little silver plate with two Philips head screws over the connector that had to be removed to get to the connector

    David Fradkin -

    Reassuring comment David, thank you. So did mine.

    Sue Evans -

  9. supNFncOcpRmdGKH
    supNFncOcpRmdGKH
    KrdlUQwpLpGiMTfs

    • Remove the 4 mm Phillips #0 screw that connects the fan to the motherboard.

    • Remove the 4 mm Phillips #0 screw that connects the fan to the base of the computer.

  10. BwONokBXDhTGu5Ve
    BwONokBXDhTGu5Ve
    Y6RXUWNnYvKQUexW

    • Use your right hand to lift up the larger section of the motherboard, closest to the fan.

    • Use your left hand to pull the fan at a 30-degree angle out from underneath the motherboard.

    I found it easier to gently lift up the very corner of the motherboard with a spudger. It's worth the effort to avoid having to take out the whole motherboard.

    Sue Evans -

Conclusion

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

Author

Ella Herrmann

Member since: 24/04/17

1588 Reputation

3 comments

Great guide! The two hardest parts were getting the back cover off, and lifting the motherboard to remove the fan. Took me about 30 minutes in total.

John Reeder -

It would be really easier if you remove the battery screws first… there are some steps that were not clear…

Nicolás Jiménez Bautista -

This repair took me about 45 min for a complete novice. “Walking out” the battery connector was only way I could unplug it. There was a retaining bracket overlaying the flat connector (step 8) that I needed to unscrew (2 screws, phillips) before it could be removed. Take care to replace the wire in the wire guides along the fan’s housing prior to reinsertion of the replacement fan. It cannot be done afterwards and the back panel will not be flush. Otherwise, this was an excellent guide and an easy repair.

Scott Freeman -