Lenovo IdeaPad 3-15IIL05 SSD Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 0

Lenovo IdeaPad 3-15IIL05 SSD Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

25 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the M.2 2242 SSD in your Lenovo IdeaPad 3-15IIL05 laptop.

This laptop is compatible with PCIe NVMe Gen 3 and 4 SSDs.

Before you perform this repair, back up your existing SSD if possible. If you're replacing the SSD where your operating system is installed, familiarize yourself with a disk cloning utility so you’ll be ready to migrate your data to the new SSD.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the ten screws securing the back cover:
Six 7.6 mm-long screws
Four 4.7 mm-long screws

Step 3

Plastic clips secure the back cover to the frame. You'll hear and feel the clips release.
Insert the flat side of an opening pick between the top left corner of the back cover and frame.
Angle the pick down to about 45 degrees.

Step 4

Keep the opening pick angled down at about 45 degrees while sliding it along the front and side edges to help release the clips.
Slide the pick to the bottom left corner of the laptop to release the left clips.

Step 5

Slide the opening pick to the bottom right corner to release the bottom clips.

Step 6

Slide the opening pick to the top right corner to release the right clips.

Step 7

Insert the flat end of an opening pick between the back cover and frame, to the left of the right hinge.
Pry the back cover up with the pick to release the top right clips.
Leave the pick inserted next to the right hinge.

Step 8

Angle the pick up to about 45 degrees.
Slide the opening pick to the top left corner to release the remaining clips.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently push the battery connector out of its socket on the motherboard.

Step 11

A delicate thermal pad covers the SSD. If you're planning on reusing it, be extra careful during this step.
Gently lift the left edge of the thermal pad.
Carefully slide the flat end of a spudger back and forth under the pad while slowly peeling the pad back.
Remove the thermal pad.
Set the thermal pad aside and apply it to the new SSD during reassembly.
If you tore the thermal pad when taking it off, don’t worry—you can still reuse it.