HP 15-fc0000 Series Trackpad Replacement

Written By: Spencer Pennington

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HP 15-fc0000 Series Trackpad Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the trackpad in your HP 15-fc0000 series laptop.

This procedure requires removing the heat sink. You will need to clean the heat sink and processor and apply new thermal paste when you put the heat sink back, even if you are re-using the same heat sink.

Note: This procedure was written using a model 15-fc0093dx HP 15 Laptop PC but is compatible with any HP 15 Laptop PC whose model number starts with 15-fc.

This procedure requires removing the battery to disconnect it. Use care to avoid bending, twisting, or puncturing it—a charged lithium-ion battery can be very dangerous if accidentally punctured. If your battery looks puffy or swollen, take extra precautions.

Tools

Step 1

Shut down the laptop.
Unplug the charger and any other cables from the laptop.

Step 2

Close the laptop and flip it over so the rubber feet are facing up. Place the laptop on a soft surface to avoid damaging the top cover.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the bottom cover.
Two 6.8 mm‑long screws near the rear of the laptop.
Two 4.8 mm‑long screws near the front of the laptop.

Step 3

The clips attached to the bottom cover are fragile. Use caution when releasing them.
Insert an opening pick under the bottom cover at the rear of the laptop.
Twist the pick until one or more clips release.
Repeat this procedure along the rear edge until you release all the clips.

Step 4

The bottom cover is fragile. Use caution when bending it.
Place your fingers under the part of the bottom cover you've raised, near a corner.
Use your fingers to gently pry up the corner of the bottom cover.

Step 5

Insert an opening pick under the edge of the bottom cover next to the corner you've raised.
Pry up the back cover clips along the edge.

Step 6

Use an opening pick to repeat the procedure from the previous step to pry up the remaining sides of the bottom cover.

Step 7

Remove the bottom cover.
Some clips may re-engage when you're releasing other sides. If the bottom cover doesn't lift off easily, use the opening pick to release any remaining clips.
During reassembly, lay the bottom cover on the laptop so the sides of the cover align with the sides of the laptop. Then, gently press on the sides until you hear the clips click. If the clips don't engage easily, adjust the cover and try again.

Step 8

Do not put too much stress on the wire, as that can harm your laptop's audio quality.
Use a spudger or your fingers to lift the tape that adheres the speaker wires to the metal trackpad bracket.
Try not to fold the tape so it can be reused during reassembly.

Step 9

Use a spudger or your fingers to remove the speaker wires from the routing clips along the edge of the battery.

Step 10

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the five 4.3 mm‑long screws securing the battery.
During reassembly, press firmly on the battery connector to ensure a strong connection.

Step 11

Do not grab the battery at the ends because this battery is flexible. Instead, grab the battery one inch from each end to better support the middle.
Use two hands to grip the battery about one inch from each end.
Lift the front of the battery (the side closest to you) until the battery is free of its alignment pegs.
Pull the battery towards you to release it from its connector.
Don't continue to use a damaged battery, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. If in doubt, replace it with a new battery.
During reassembly, insert the battery onto its connector at a slight downward angle before pressing it flat to the frame.

Step 12

Use tweezers to remove the plastic cover on the wireless LAN card antenna cable.
Set the plastic cover aside with the sticky side up.
Keep the adhesive on the back of the plastic cover clean, as you will reuse this during reassembly.

Step 13

Place one arm of a pair of tweezers under the metal head of the antenna cable. Lightly grip the head.
The pictured laptop only has one antenna cable, but yours may have two.
Lift straight up to disconnect the antenna.
It's important to lift the connector straight up. If lifted at an angle, you risk breaking the socket off of the board underneath.
Use tweezers to hold the connector in place over its socket and gently press down with your finger or a spudger—the connector should "snap" into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the head and try again.
Don't try to force the connector into place or you may permanently damage it.

Step 14

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 3.1 mm‑long screw securing the wireless LAN card.
The wireless LAN card will spring up at an angle after the screw is removed.

Step 15

Grip the wireless LAN card by its edges and pull it away from its socket to remove it.
During reassembly, insert the card into its socket at an angle before pressing it flat to the laptop.

Step 16

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 3.8 mm‑long screw securing the SSD.

Step 17

Lift the edge of the SSD near the screw indent to a shallow angle.

Step 18

Grip the SSD by its edges and pull it away from its socket to remove it.
During reassembly, insert the SSD into its socket at a shallow angle before lowering it flat to the laptop.

Step 19

This tape may still be lifted from an earlier step. If so, skip this step.
Do not put too much stress on the wire, as that can harm your laptop's audio quality.
Use a spudger or your fingers to lift the tape that adheres the speaker wires to the metal touch pad bracket.
Try not to fold the tape because it can be reused during reassembly.

Step 20

Use a spudger to lift the speaker wire out of the routing clip near the left speaker.
The left speaker is on your right, since the laptop is upside down.

Step 21

Repeat the procedure from the previous step to lift the speaker wire out of the two routing clips near the right speaker.

Step 22

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the USB-C port bracket.
One 3.1 mm‑long screw
One 4.3 mm‑long screw

Step 23

Use tweezers or your fingers to lift the bracket off the USB-C port and remove it.

Step 24

The next ten steps instruct how to disconnect each connector on the motherboard. Refer to the Recognizing and Disconnecting Cable Connectors guide for more help.
DC-in
Fan
Display
Speakers
Trackpad
Keyboard
Make sure all cables and wires connected to the top of the motherboard are disconnected before lifting the motherboard. Depending on the configuration of your laptop, you may have a different number of connectors to disconnect.

Step 25

Use a spudger to "walk" the DC‑in cable out of its socket on the system board by pushing on alternating sides of the white connector.

Step 26

Once the cable is loose, use a spudger to push the DC‑in cable out of its socket on the system board.

Step 27

Insert one arm of blunt nose tweezers under the fan cable, as close to the connector as possible.
Grip the wires evenly and lift the cable up to disconnect the fan.
To reconnect the fan to the motherboard, use a pair of tweezers to grip all of the wires and align the connector with the socket. Then, use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to evenly press the connector into the socket.

Step 28

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift up the black locking tab on the USB Board ZIF connector.

Step 29

Use tweezers or your fingers to grip the black taped portion of the display cable.
Pull the ribbon cable away from its connector to disconnect it.
When reconnecting this cable, make sure the locking tab is fully open (up). The cable should slide in with minimal force. If you feel resistance, check that the locking tab is fully open and the cable is aligned, then try again.

Step 30

Insert one arm of blunt nose tweezers under the speaker cable, as close to the connector as possible.
Grip the wires evenly and lift the cable up to disconnect the fan.
To reconnect the speakers to the motherboard, use a pair of tweezers to grip all of the wires and align the connector with the socket. Then, use the flat end of a spudger to evenly press the connector into the socket.

Step 31

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift up the black locking tab on the trackpad ZIF connector.

Step 32

Use tweezers or your fingers to grip the blue pull tab marked "MB."
Pull the ribbon cable away from its connector to disconnect it.
When reconnecting this cable, make sure the locking tab is fully open (up). The cable should slide in with minimal force. If you feel resistance, check that the locking tab is fully open and the cable is aligned, then try again.

Step 33

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift up the black locking tab on the keyboard ZIF connector.

Step 34

Use tweezers or your fingers to grip the blue pull tab on top of the display ribbon cable.
Pull the ribbon cable away from its connector to disconnect it.
When reconnecting this cable, make sure the locking tab is fully open (up). The cable should slide in with minimal force. If you feel resistance, check that the locking tab is fully open and the cable is aligned, then try again.

Step 35

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the seven 3.1 mm‑long screws securing the motherboard.

Step 36

Make sure all cables are disconnected from the top of the motherboard. Your laptop may have more cables than those listed here.
Remove the motherboard from its slot in the frame by lifting the left edge.
Pull the motherboard to the left and guide the external ports out of their slots.
The USB-A board cable is still attached to the back of the board, so don't try to remove the board entirely yet.

Step 37

Flip the motherboard over and gently lay it on the laptop so you can access the remaining cable connector.

Step 38

On the back of the motherboard (now facing up), use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the black locking tab on the USB board ZIF connector on the motherboard.

Step 39

Use tweezers or your fingers to grip the blue pull tab marked "MB."
Pull the ribbon cable away from its connector to disconnect it.
When reconnecting this cable, make sure the locking tab is fully open (up). The cable should slide in with minimal force. If you feel resistance, check that the locking tab is fully open and the cable is aligned, then try again.

Step 40

Make sure all cables are disconnected from both sides of the motherboard. Your laptop may have more cables than those listed here.
Remove the motherboard.

Step 41

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 2.0 mm‑long screws securing the trackpad bracket.

Step 42

Use your fingers to lift the trackpad bracket and remove it.

Step 43

Use tweezers to remove the plastic cover over the trackpad ribbon cable connector.
Place this cover somewhere safe with the adhesive side up, so it can be reapplied during reassembly.

Step 44

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the black locking tab on the trackpad ZIF connector located on the back of the trackpad.

Step 45

Use tweezers or your fingers to grip the blue pull tab marked "TP."
Pull the ribbon cable away from its connector to disconnect it.
When reconnecting this cable, make sure the locking tab is fully open (up). The cable should slide in with minimal force. If you feel resistance, check that the locking tab is fully open and the cable is aligned, then try again.

Step 46

Use your fingers or tweezers to remove the entire trackpad ribbon cable and set it aside.
This cable may be lightly adhered to the black mylar under it. Avoid bending the ribbon cable by using the flat end of a spudger or tweezers to pry up the ribbon cable anywhere it's adhered.

Step 47

Use your fingers to grip either side of the loose end of the keyboard ribbon cable.
Pull the ribbon cable back towards the rear of the laptop to get the entire ribbon cable off of the trackpad.
It helps to tape this out of the way using painter's tape or masking tape.

Step 48

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to peel back the mylar that covers the trackpad.
This mylar is adhered along the top of the trackpad (towards the rear of the laptop). Grip the mylar along this top edge to avoid stretching or breaking the mylar.

Step 49

Use tweezers to peel the grounding tape off the trackpad, still leaving it attached to the laptop frame.
The grounding tape on this device is on the top-left corner of the trackpad. Yours may be somewhere else along the top of the trackpad.

Step 50

Use a Phillips PH000 screwdriver to remove the three 2.4 mm‑long screws securing the trackpad.

Step 51

Use your fingers to lift the front edge of the trackpad and remove it.

Conclusion

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

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler. Depending on your region, used HP devices and parts can be returned for reuse or recycling through the HP Planet Partners program.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Pennington

Member since: 09/09/23

17064 Reputation

HP 15-fc0000 Series Trackpad Replacement

Introduction

Tools

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