DIY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5 SSD Replacement Guide
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 13 Steps
Dive into this guide to take off or swap out the upper casing of your Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (13.5″ edition). Don’t forget, when you’re pulling out the SSD, it’s like giving the battery a little nap—so make sure to do that before tackling any big repairs. Some of the pictures you see may feature a slightly different model, but don’t worry, they still show you the ropes without a hitch!
Step 1
– Turn the laptop upside down, set it down on your workspace, and let those little feet face the sky.
Step 2
To detach the feet on the bottom of your laptop, grab your trusty spudger and use the pointed end for some gentle prying action. It’s like giving your laptop a little tickle!
Just a heads up: the two feet near the back (screen side) are a bit different from the two at the front, so keep that in mind as you work your magic!
– Each foot has a secret little indent that makes removing it a breeze.
– To make sure the spudger gets into the indent just right, slide it along the nearest long edge, keeping it parallel to the short edges of the laptop. Just like in the picture!
Tools Used
Step 3
The two rear feet are lightly stuck on with a bit of adhesive, but don’t worry—it’s nothing a little nudge can’t handle!
– Slide the pointed end of a spudger under the rear edge of one of the two rear feet.
– Wiggle and pry the spudger to pop it off.
– Do the same for the other rear foot.
Tools Used
Step 4
The two front feet are held in place with snappy plastic clips and a touch of adhesive—easy breezy.
– Slip the pointed end of a spudger under one of the two front feet at its front edge.
– Wiggle the spudger underneath the foot and lift it to pop it off.
– Do the same for the second front foot.
Tools Used
Step 5
– As you put everything back together, keep in mind that the front and rear feet are not the same.
– Remember, the front feet have a special way they like to clip in—make sure to align them just right!
Step 6
– Instead of sticking with those old, tired feet on your device, why not jazz things up with some 8 mm rubber furniture pads? They’re a fantastic alternative!
– Just peel a pad off its backing, line it up over the foot cavity, and give it a good press to make sure it sticks. Easy peasy!
Step 7
Keep it together! Throughout this repair, make sure to keep track of each screw and return it to its original spot to avoid any damage to your laptop.
– Grab your trusty T5 Torx driver and unscrew the four 3 mm screws tucked away in the foot cavities. These little guys are holding the upper case to the device.
– When putting it all back together, go easy on the tightening—those screws have a tendency to strip if you get too enthusiastic.
Step 8
– Flip the device over to get a better look at the back.
– Gently open the display until it reaches its limit.
Step 9
Okay, hold up—don’t yank off the upper case just yet! It’s still hanging on to the rest of the laptop like it’s got separation anxiety.
Make sure the upper case hugs the laptop snugly all around. Any gaps near the display could lead to a nasty surprise for your screen when you shut it. Handle with care!
The top cover is held in place by magnets.
– Grab the top edge of the upper case above the keyboard and lift it straight up—don’t worry, just give it a good tug to pop it loose.
– Now, carefully lift the front edge of the upper case up and away from the laptop, but keep an eye out for the keyboard and touchpad ribbon cable underneath. Be gentle, no cable tug-of-war here!
– When putting things back together, lower the upper case onto the bottom case until the magnets snap into place like magic, and make sure it sits nice and flat.
Step 10
The keyboard and touchpad ribbon cable is held securely in place by a handy magnet connector.
On certain models, you might find this connector wrapped in a layer of black tape.
– Carefully slide the flat end of a spudger under one side of the ribbon cable connector and gently pry it upwards to pop it free.
– Now, with a little finesse, detach the ribbon cable from the motherboard.
Tools Used
Step 11
Make sure the ribbon cable is lying nice and flat—no twists or stress allowed!
– Lift off the upper case with a little finesse.
– Place the upper case on a clean surface, keyboard-side down, like it’s taking a nap.
Step 12
Taking out the SSD is like giving your device a little nap—it’s a great way to disconnect the battery and should be your first step before diving into any big repairs.
– Grab your trusty T5 Torx driver and unscrew the 2.7 mm screw holding the SSD in place. Nice and easy, you’ve got this!
Step 13
With the SSD screw out, the SSD will pop up at a slight angle.
– Make sure your new replacement part matches the original one—you might need to transfer some components or remove adhesive backings before installation.
– To put your device back together, just follow the steps in reverse order.
– Drop off your e-waste at an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
– If things didn’t go as planned, try some basic troubleshooting or check out our Answers community for help.
– Need a hand? You can always schedule a repair.
