Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) Heat Sink Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) Heat Sink Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the heat sink in your Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8‑inch).

You can also use this guide to replace the thermal paste in your laptop.

If you're having issues with your Surface Laptop overheating, make sure the issue isn't with the fan.

Tools

Parts

Thermal Paste

Step 1

Before starting this repair, allow your laptop's battery to drain below 25%. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged.
Unplug all cables and fully shut down your laptop.

Step 2

Close your laptop and lay it down so the rubber feet are facing up.

Step 3

Gently slide one arm of your angled tweezers into the recess near the upper right edge of one of the feet.
You can also use the point of a spudger. However, you're more likely to damage the foot, if you're reusing it.
Use your tweezers to pry up and remove the foot.
The feet may eject very quickly—be careful not to lose them.
Repeat the process to remove the remaining feet.
To install a foot, align the pegs on the bottom with their cutouts in the frame and press the foot into place.

Step 4

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
While the Surface Laptop 7 uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.
Use a Torx Plus 5IP screwdriver to remove the four 4.5 mm‑long screws (with washers) securing the lower case.

Step 5

Insert the tip of an opening pick under the top edge of the lower case, about an inch (2.5 cm) to the left or right of the Microsoft logo.
Don't insert the pick near the outer edges or you'll damage the antenna bar.

Step 6

Twist the pick to lift the lower case enough that you can grip it with your hand.

Step 7

Lift the lower case and remove it.

Step 8

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the two 2.3 mm‑long screws securing the battery connector cover.

Step 9

Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the battery connector cover.

Step 10

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the top edge of the battery press connector and pry up to disconnect it.
To reconnect a press connector, align it over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then press down on the other side. It may take a few tries to align the connector—don't try to force it into place.

Step 11

When removing the motherboard shield in the next few steps, try to deform the shield as little as possible. You'll need to reuse it during reassembly.
Slide one arm of a pair of angled tweezers into one of the gaps on the edge of the display cable shield.
Use your tweezers to pry up and unclip the shield.

Step 12

Continue unclipping the edges of the shield until you can grip it with your fingers.
Use your fingers to grip the shield and fully remove it.
If the shield feels stuck, use your tweezers to unclip the area that's stuck.

Step 13

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the five screws securing the heat sink:
Four 3.2 mm‑long CPU tension screws
One 2.7 mm‑long screw near the top left side
During reassembly, tighten the four CPU tension screws in an "X" pattern. For example, top left, bottom right, top right, bottom left.

Step 14

Thermal paste bonds the heat sink to the CPU. The strength of the bond will vary depending on the age of your laptop and condition of the paste.
Insert the flat end of a spudger under the left CPU tension bracket and lift to separate the heat sink.
Be very careful not to scrape or damage any of the small surface-mounted components on the motherboard.

Step 15

Lift the heat sink straight up and remove it.
During reassembly, carefully put the heat sink into place, using the alignment peg to orient it. Try not to move the heat sink once it's in place, or you may unevenly smear the thermal paste.

Step 16

Before installing a new heat sink, you must remove all the old thermal paste from the CPU surface.
Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape up the old thermal paste from the CPU.
Use high concentration (more than 90%) isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cleaning cloth to remove all the thermal paste residue from the CPU.
Don't touch the CPU or let any dust or debris settle on it—even a fingerprint can interfere with heat dissipation.
Wait for the isopropyl alcohol to dry completely before applying any thermal paste.

Step 17

If you're replacing the heat sink, skip this step.
Repeat the previous step to remove all the thermal paste and its residue from the bottom of the heat sink.

Step 18

Apply a very small dot of thermal paste to the center of the CPU—about the size of a small matchstick head. There only needs to be enough for a thin layer to cover the CPU.