Asus ZenBook UX303U Motherboard Fan Replacement

Written By: Luis Perez

Comments: 14

Asus ZenBook UX303U Motherboard Fan Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

15 - 20 minutes

Introduction

This guide will show you how to replace the fan in an Asus ZenBook UX303U laptop.

Tools

Step 1

Remove the two round rubber feet at the hinge-edge of the laptop.

The process took me about 30 minutes. If I were to have to do it again then I could probably do it in 10 minutes now that I know what is involved!

Jon Kerridge - 23/09/20

Step 2

Remove the eleven 4 mm Phillips #00 screws from the back panel.

These screws on other models are Torx T5 or T6, not Phillips

Dylan Warburg - 11/11/21

T4 screws on all but the two under the rear rubber feet; those are Phillips PH0 (and my model had two square rubber feet).

Gregg Stanley -

Agree. Same as my laptop.

Moops -

Step 3

Using a plastic opening tool pry the back panel off of the laptop.

I lift more than the last photo shows. Dark rubber with plots, visible on photo are blocking the opening.

djibe - 28/12/19

Mine was also stuck at the back with a bit of tape (for grounding?) I did my best to make sure it was replaced during re-assembly.

Moops -

Step 4

Pull the speaker cable out of its four retaining clips with either your fingers, or a plastic opening tool.

Skip this step on UX430U

Styyvii -

I skipped this step and was able to gently pull it out when I removed the battery in step 8.

Moops -

Step 5

Remove all seven 2 mm Phillips #00 screws from the battery.

Mine was missing the lower left and lower right screws.

Moops -

Step 6

Pull the speaker connector toward the edge of the laptop to disconnect it from its socket.

Skip this step on UX430U also

Styyvii -

Step 7

Lift the battery connector straight up off its socket to disconnect it from the motherboard.
Do not pry on the socket itself or you risk damaging the motherboard.

The replacement battery I received from ifixit had longer wires than the original battery which made re-installing it a bit awkward, but I was able to bend them to the side a bit.

Moops -

Step 8

Lift the battery and speakers up and pull out to remove.
Check underneath the battery for the wire assembly connecting the touchpad to the motherboard. This connection may stick to the underside of the battery. Be careful not to damage it when removing the battery.

Step 9

Remove the speakers from the old battery.

This was a bit more fiddly than expected given the speaker arms are stuck to the battery

Jon Kerridge - 23/09/20

Yes, it was taped on their quite strongly. I just tried to make sure the tape stayed stuck to the speakers and not the battery.

Moops -

Step 10

Disconnect the display cable from the motherboard with a plastic opening tool.

Step 11

Remove the three 6mm Phillips #00 screws from the hinge.
Remove the 2mm Phillips #00 screw from the plastic housing securing the fan into place.

Step 12

Lift the bottom of the laptop up slightly in order to unhinge the laptop.
Lift the screen assembly hinge up and off of the motherboard fan.

Step 13

Using tweezers, disconnect the cable connector from the motherboard fan.

Step 14

Lift the fan up and off of the white pegs that secure it into place.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Luis Perez

Member since: 14/02/18

625 Reputation

One comment

The bottom of the pictured device may feature Phillips #00 screws, but I also have this laptop and the screws around the edge of the bottom panel are Torx T5s on my device.

Nick Brennan - 07/04/20