Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement

Sarah Westberg and 2 other contributors

Last updated on January 16, 2024

20 - 30 minutes

Moderate

Introduction

Go to step 1

This guide will walk you through the steps to replace the hard drive of your Lenovo ThinkPad T480.

The hard drive is a nonvolatile data storage and retrieval device which uses magnetic storage on one or more rotating platters.

If your hard drive fails or becomes corrupted, your computer may start to run extremely slowly, it may overheat, or it may fail to boot. If you experience “blue screen of death” errors or apps that freeze or crash, it might be time to replace your hard drive.

If you need to replace your hard drive, follow the instructions in this guide.

According to the Lenovo Forum, this model has the capacity to upgrade to 1 TB Solid State Drive, PCIe-NVMe OPAL2.0 M.2.

Be sure to disable the internal battery, turn off the computer, and unplug the laptop from the power adapter prior to starting the repair.

What you need

Fix Kit

This kit contains all the parts and tools needed to complete this guide.

1 TB SSD
Sale price $94.99
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Parts

Crucial BX500 1TB SSD
Sale price $74.99

Tools

Step 1 External Battery

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement, External Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement, External Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2

Disable the battery, power down, and unplug your device before you begin.
Flip the laptop over so the bottom of the device is showing.

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Step 2

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

Using your fingers, slide the lock on each side of the battery to the unlocked position.
Remove the battery from the slot.

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Step 3 Back Cover

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement, Back Cover: step 3, image 1 of 2

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement, Back Cover: step 3, image 2 of 2

Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, loosen the six captive screws.

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Step 4

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

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.

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Step 5 Internal Battery

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement, Internal Battery: step 5, image 1 of 2

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement, Internal Battery: step 5, image 2 of 2

Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the two 4.6 mm screws that secure the internal battery to the frame.

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Step 6

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Hard Drive Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

Use the spudger to slide the battery socket connector parallel to the motherboard and out of its socket on the motherboard.

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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.