HP 15-dw SSD Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the SSD in your HP 15s Laptop PC.

Note: This procedure was written using a model 15-dw3033dx HP 15s Laptop PC, but is fully compatible with any HP 15s Laptop PC whose model number starts with 15-dw.

Still under warranty? Contact HP to learn your warranty status, receive a repair under warranty if eligible, or for further warranty information.

This laptop has one slot that supports an M.2 2280 SSD.

Before you starting this repair, consider backing up your current drive. If necessary, familiarize yourself with a disk cloning utility so you’ll be ready to transfer your data to the new drive.

This procedure requires removing the battery to disconnect it. Use care to avoid bending, twisting, or puncturing it—a charged lithium-ion battery can be very dangerous if accidentally punctured. If your battery looks puffy or swollen, take extra precautions.

Tools

Parts

HP PCIe NVMe SSD - Genuine

Step 1

Fully shut down your laptop and unplug all cables.

Step 2

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

Step 3

The rubber feet cover a total of five back cover screws.
Use an opening pick to peel up an end of the front rubber foot until you can grip it with your fingers.
Make sure both the foot and its adhesive peel up together, as they need to be removed as one piece.

Step 4

Peel the front foot away from the back cover and remove it.

Step 5

Use an opening pick to peel up an end of the rear rubber foot until you can grip it with your fingers.
Peel the rear foot away from the back cover and remove it.

Step 6

Note that the rubber feet are different:
The front foot is thicker, with a deeper recess.
The rear foot is thinner, with a shallower recess.
During reassembly:
If you're reusing the rubber feet, the leftover adhesive should be tacky enough to reuse.
If the leftover adhesive isn't sticky enough or your replacement feet didn't come with adhesive, you can use double-sided tape such as Tesa Tape to secure the feet.
Make sure the strips of tape aren't wider than 6 mm, otherwise they may not fit.
To install a foot, remove its adhesive liner, lay the foot into its matching recess, and press down firmly along the entire length of the foot to secure it.

Step 7

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the seven screws securing the back cover:
Five 8.5 mm-long screws
Two 4.6 mm-long screws
Despite the standards, Phillips screwdrivers can vary in size and shape—two drivers labeled as the same size may fit differently in the same screw. Use the size that fits the most snug into the screw head to avoid stripping it.

Step 8

Flip your laptop over and open the screen.

Step 9

Plastic clips secure the back cover to the frame. You'll hear and feel the clips release as you work.
Insert the flat side of an opening pick into the seam between the top left edge of the back cover and the frame.
Slide the opening pick down to the bottom left corner to release the clips on the left edge.

Step 10

Insert the flat side of an opening pick into the seam between the top right edge of the back cover and the frame.
Slide the opening pick down to the bottom right corner to release the clips on the right edge.

Step 11

Insert the flat side of an opening pick between the bottom right corner of the back cover and frame.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner to release the remaining clips.

Step 12

Close the screen and flip your laptop back over.

Step 13

Remove the back cover.
To reinstall the back cover, lay it on the frame and firmly press down around the perimeter to engage all of the clips.

Step 14

Given the design of the battery connector, the only way to disconnect the battery is to physically remove it.
Try not to bend, crease, deform, poke, or puncture the battery with your tool—a damaged battery is a potential fire hazard.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 3.4 mm-long screws securing the battery.

Step 15

Gently lift the upper edge of the battery to disconnect its socket from the motherboard.
Remove the battery.
During reassembly, use the alignment posts to position the battery and press down on the socket to secure it.
Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery—it's a fire hazard. Replace it with a new battery.

Step 16

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 3.4 mm-long screw securing the SSD.

Step 17

With the SSD screw removed, the SSD will pop up at a shallow angle.
Grip the SSD by its edges and pull it away from its M.2 board connector to remove it.
During reassembly:
Insert the SSD at a shallow angle into its board connector and secure it back into its horizontal position with the SSD screw.
If your model has an SSD thermal pad, make sure it's transferred to the replacement SSD.

Conclusion

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

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler. Depending on your region, used HP devices and parts can be returned for reuse or recycling through the HP Planet Partners program.

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

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

49372 Reputation

HP 15-dw SSD Replacement

Introduction

Tools

Parts

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