Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Wi-Fi Card Replacement

Written By: Sarah Westberg

Comments: 7

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Wi-Fi Card Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

The Wi-Fi card communicates with your wireless network through the router. If it is in range, your laptop will be able to connect to the internet if it's not password protected. If your Wi-Fi card is failing, follow this guide to replace your Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Wi-Fi Card.

The main symptom of a failing Wi-Fi card is problems with connectivity—more specifically failure to locate wireless connections, intermittent wireless connections and loss of connectivity due to hardware damage.

Prior to beginning this guide, be sure to disable the internal battery, power off the device, and unplug the laptop from the charging cable.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Disable the battery, power down, and unplug your device before you begin.
Flip the laptop over so the bottom of the device is showing.

Step 2

Using your fingers, slide the lock on each side of the battery to the unlocked position.
Remove the battery from the slot.

Step 3

Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, loosen the six captive screws.

Step 4

Insert the blue plastic opening tool into the space between the lower case and the chassis.
Slide the opening tool around the perimeter of the case to release the clips holding the case and the chassis together.
If it feels like the battery well portion of the back cover isn't loose, these clips may be holding the cover to the laptop. Use your opening tool to pry the clips loose and try removing the cover again.
Remove the back case.

I found a tough spudger (or even better a plectrum) is best here as the clips, although easy to separate, hold the case firmly leaving a tight gap which a soft spudger may fail to enter.

Benjamin Kinsey -

Hi Benjamin, thanks for the tip!

Sarah Westberg -

You also have to pry the near the battery. I experienced that you can't pry the front side.

Minko Kelko -

I used a credit card to pry the clips loose, it worked great. Added 2nd RAM stick easily.

NFR Computers -

Step 5

Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the two 4.6 mm screws that secure the internal battery to the frame.

Step 6

Use the spudger to slide the battery socket connector parallel to the motherboard and out of its socket on the motherboard.

Step 7

Lift the battery straight out of its recess and remove it.
If the battery is difficult to remove from the recess, use a nylon spudger to gently lift it on one edge, making it easier to grasp and remove by hand.
To prevent damage or potential fire, do not bend or flex the battery. Only use a plastic spudger and avoid any sharp tools that could puncture the battery.

DO NOT wedge out the battery - T480 has two screws that hold down a plastic battery tray which easily lifts out after the two frame screws are removed. Wedging out will ruin the battery and could damage the cell and cause a fire.

Poseidon219 -

The guide says to remove those two screws. They are "lifting" with the wedge. Probably more of a way to promote their tools than out of necessity, but idk

Lorenzo Serrano -

Step 8

Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the single 3.6 mm screw at the top of the Wi-Fi card attaching it to the motherboard.

Step 9

Insert the point of a spudger under one of the antenna cables close to the connector. Pry straight up to disconnect the cable off of the Wi-Fi card.
Be careful as you pry the cables off of the Wi-Fi card as they are fragile and easily damaged.