Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Wi-Fi Card Replacement

Written By: Sarah Westberg

Comments: 11

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.

EN: NOTE: The built-in battery needs to be disabled first! This can be done in the BIOS.

DE: ANMERKUNG: Die eingebaute Batterie muss zuerst deaktiviert werden! Dies kann im BIOS getan werden.

Thomas -

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 -

You lift the internal battery first from the top, and then the bottom.

This is because there are 2 "clips" on the bottom that the battery uses to slide into the chassis.

Tai Lam -

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

Slide a thin, ESD-safe pry tool or angled tweezers under the metal neck of the connector (as close to the head as possible) and lift straight up from the board.
For additional tips on disconnecting coaxial cables, check out the Recognizing and Disconnecting Cable Connectors guide.
When working with these connectors, always lift the head straight up. If pried on at an odd angle, you risk breaking the socket off of the board underneath.
Use tweezers to hold the connector in place over its socket and gently press down with your finger or a spudger—the connector should "snap" into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the head and try again.
Don't try to force the connector into place or you may permanently damage it.

Step 10

Slide the Wi-Fi card out from the slot to remove it from the board.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Sarah Westberg

Member since: 11/03/19

31598 Reputation

3 comments

Great guide! Everyone make sure to reconnect the black cable to terminal 2 (on the left) and white to t1 (to the right).

Lorenzo Serrano -

Step 9 only worked for one of the antennaes so had to abort as they fragile, please provide an alternative method if the connector wont pop out with this method. Also a reassembly guide should be part of this, especially on how to reattach the connectors?

Chris Bloggs -

Hi @chrisbloggs, Thanks for your comment! ******I updated Step 9 to include a bit more detail. If you’re unable to disconnect the other cable, you might consider using an antenna disconnect tool—it's designed specifically for that task. In most cases, a spudger or tweezers will work, but the tool can be a useful alternative. Good luck with your repair!

Sarah Westberg -