Dell Inspiron 11-3162 Wireless WLAN Card Replacement

Last updated on May 7, 2024

10 - 20 minutes

Moderate

Introduction

If you clicked this link from the troubleshooting guide, follow these steps to help get your wireless back up and running.

Tools

Tool used on this step:

Tweezers

$4.99

Before you begin, be sure to turn off your laptop and unplug it from the outlet.
Use tweezers to pry and remove the center screw cover on the back cover.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the nine 6.8 mm screws securing the back cover.

Use a spudger to pry around the base edges of the back cover to loosen it from the laptop.
Do not fully remove the cover, as it is still attached to the laptop with cables.

If you are only replacing the battery, you can skip this step. Be careful not to strain the still-connected cable as you work.
Unlock the wide ZIF connector securing the flex cable.
To unlock a ZIF connector, use the tip of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the small, hinged locking flap.
Pull the ribbon cable outwards to disconnect the back cover from the motherboard.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the three 4 mm screws securing the battery.

Tool used on this step:

Tweezers

$4.99

Use your fingers (or a set of tweezers) to disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard by gently pulling it towards the battery.
Pull parallel to the battery, not straight up.
Lift and remove the battery from its recess.