Lenovo ThinkPad X270 SSD Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 40 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace or upgrade an M.2 2280 SSD in your Lenovo ThinkPad X270 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

01HY565 - Lenovo Laptop SSD NVMe M.2 Adapter - Genuine

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

A SIM eject tool or bit isn't long enough to eject the tray.
Insert a straightened paper clip into the micro SIM card tray hole on the right edge of the laptop.
Press the paper clip firmly into the hole to eject the tray.
Remove the tray.
When reinserting the tray, slide the arms of the tray into the rectangular metal slot.

Step 3

Lay your laptop upside down to access the external battery.
Two sliding tabs secure the battery.

Step 4

Slide the left tab, labeled 1, to the unlocked position—it'll click into place and release the left side of the battery.

Step 5

Hold the right tab, labeled 2, in the unlocked position and slide the battery out of its recess.
During reassembly, slide the battery into its recess until both tabs engage.
Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery—it's a fire hazard. Replace it with a new battery.

Step 6

Use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the eight captive screws securing the back cover.
Don't try to completely remove the screws—they're secured to the back cover with delicate, plastic clips.

Step 7

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 bottom right edge of the back cover and frame.
Pry up the back cover to release the bottom right clips.
Leave the pick inserted in the bottom right corner.

Step 8

During the next two steps, position your pick downward at a 45-degree angle to help release the clips.
Slide the pick to the bottom left corner to release the bottom clips.

Step 9

Insert your pick in the bottom left corner and slide the pick to the first USB port to release the left clips.

Step 10

Insert an opening tool between the top left corner of the back cover and frame.
Pry the back cover up to release the clips securing its top left corner.
Repeat the process on the top right corner.

Step 11

Five clips secure the top edge of the back cover.
Insert an opening tool in the gap between the back cover and frame, next to one of the clips.
Push the opening tool into the gap until the clip releases.

Step 12

Push the opening tool between the back cover and frame at different points along the top edge to release the remaining clips.

Step 13

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 14

Push on alternating sides of the internal battery connector with a spudger to "walk" it out of its socket.

Step 15

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 3.7 mm‑long screw securing the SSD enclosure to the frame.

Step 16

Gently lay the SSD enclosure over the left edge of the laptop.

Step 17

Use a spudger or your fingers to reposition the black and red speaker cable so you can access the SSD cable's socket on the motherboard.

Step 18

Insert the point of a spudger under the metal locking clip that snaps around the perimeter of the SSD cable’s socket.
Swing the clip up and over the socket.
Gently pull the SSD cable straight out of its socket.

Step 19

Lay the SSD enclosure upside down on your work surface.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 3.7 mm‑long screws securing the SSD cover.

Step 20

Remove the SSD cover.

Step 21

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 3.1 mm‑long screw securing the SSD to its enclosure.

Step 22

Hold the SSD enclosure down firmly against your workspace with one hand and pull the SSD straight out of its socket with your other hand.
Don't pull up at a sharp angle, as this could damage the SSD and its socket.