Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3 Smart Card Reader Replacement

Written By: Nick Schultz

Comments: 0

Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3 Smart Card Reader Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace a damaged or malfunctioning smart card reader in your Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3 laptop. You can also use this guide to replace a "dummy" smart card reader with a real one.

If your smart card reader is not being detected or is no longer reading smart cards properly, it may need to be replaced.

The Lenovo part number for the smart card reader is 5C61B41060 or 5C61B41061. This guide features the former, but the process is equivalent for the latter.

Tools

Step 1

For your safety, discharge your battery below 25% before disassembling your laptop. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.
Completely shut down your laptop (don't just put it in sleep mode) and disconnect all cables.
Flip the laptop upside-down, and rotate it so the screen hinge faces towards you.

Step 2

Use a Phillips screwdriver to fully loosen the seven captive screws securing the base cover.

Step 3

Insert your fingernail or an opening pick into the gap between the base cover and keyboard deck, next to one of the screen hinges.
Pry up the base cover until the clips unfasten.

Step 4

Grasp the base cover along the screen hinge edge and lift slowly to unfasten the remaining clips.
Lift and remove the base cover.
During reassembly, lay the base cover into the frame, inserting it into the tabs along the battery edge. Press down firmly around the perimeter to reengage all the clips.

Step 5

Because of the battery connector's design, the only way to disconnect the battery is by physically removing it.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to fully loosen the two captive screws securing the battery connector.

Step 6

Lift the edge of the battery with the connector to disconnect it.
You may feel a little resistance from the battery connector as it disconnects—that's normal.
Remove the battery
During reassembly:
Slide the plastic tabs on the long edge of the battery into their recesses in the frame.
Lower the battery into place so the connector goes over its socket.

Step 7

Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the locking flap on the smart card cable ZIF connector.
Use your fingers or tweezers to pull the cable straight out of its socket.