Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement

Evan G and 3 other contributors

Last updated on December 20, 2024

30 - 45 minutes

Moderate

Featured Student Guide

Introduction

Go to step 1

Take a look at the overheating troubleshooting guide and see if you can resolve your issue before proceeding. If none of the solutions worked, this guide will show you how to remove and replace the fan of your Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Laptop. The fan is responsible for keeping the laptop at a reasonable temperature, and ensuring your laptop doesn't overheat and damage other components, like the motherboard, CPU, etc.

Before you begin this guide, you should disable the built-in battery. Here is a link with instructions on how to do so on page 123. Make sure your laptop is off and unplugged from the AC charger.

When replacing the fan, you may need to reapply thermal paste. Refer to the How to Apply Thermal Paste guide for detailed instructions.

What you need

Tools

Step 1 Battery

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2

Flip the device over so the bottom is facing you.

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Step 2

Use your thumb to slide the right lock switch button outward.

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Step 3

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

With your thumb slide the left lock switch button outward while sliding the battery out with your other hand.
When replacing the battery, make sure that the connectors are aligned properly.
You may hear a click when the battery is fully seated and the lock engages.

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Step 4 Base Cover

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement, Base Cover: step 4, image 1 of 2

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement, Base Cover: step 4, image 2 of 2

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to unscrew the eight 2 mm captive screws.
These screws should not be removed entirely; you will be able to take off the base cover once they are loosened.

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Step 5

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

With the plastic opening tool, pry up the base cover.
Slide the opening tool around the edge of the laptop to release the snap tabs.
You may need to use opening picks to hold the tabs apart, as the base is securely attached and tends to snap back into place.

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Step 6

Lift the base cover off the laptop.

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Step 7 Battery Pack

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement, Battery Pack: step 7, image 1 of 3

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement, Battery Pack: step 7, image 2 of 3

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement, Battery Pack: step 7, image 3 of 3

With your fingers or a spudger, disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard.
Use the point of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its socket.
It may take a lot of alternating before the connector comes out. Be patient, and don't pull on the cables.
To reconnect the cable, align the connector and use a spudger or clean fingernail to push it fully into the socket.
Don't push or pull on the cables themselves, or you may damage the connector.

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Step 8

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the five 2.5 mm retaining screws.

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Step 9

Lift the battery away from the device to remove it.

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Step 10 Fan assembly

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement, Fan assembly: step 10, image 1 of 2

Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Fan Assembly Replacement, Fan assembly: step 10, image 2 of 2

Use the point of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the fan connector to "walk" it out of its socket.
It may take a lot of alternating before the connector comes out. Be patient, and don't pull on the cables.
To reconnect the cable, align the connector and use a spudger or clean fingernail to push it fully into the socket.
Don't push or pull on the cables themselves, or you may damage the connector.