Mainboard

Once you have entered the Framework Laptop 16 UEFI BIOS navigate to Setup Utility using the arrow keys and press Enter.

Navigate to the Advanced menu and at the bottom of this menu is Battery Disconnect.

Press Enter, select Yes and press Enter again. To save and exit press F10 and then Enter.

To remove the Expansion Cards, first turn the Framework Laptop 16 over and open the Expansion Card Latches.

With the latches open the Expansion Cards should slide right out.

If the latches are open and the cards feel stuck, you can use the spudger end of your Framework Screwdriver to push them out.

In order to remove the Input Modules from the Framework Laptop 16, begin by opening the Input Deck Latches on each side of the Laptop.

When the latches are open you can see the red printed on the latch.

To remove the Touchpad Spacers, slide them down and then they will lift away easily.

If there is resistance, make sure that the Input Deck Latches are open (see previous step).

After removing the Spacers, the Touchpad module can be removed in the same way. Gently slide it downwards from both sides and then lift away as shown.

To remove the Keyboard lift from the bottom using the pull tabs, and once lifted up the Keyboard module should lift out without resistance.

If your pull tabs are no longer attached, you can carefully use the spudger side of the Framework Screwdriver to lift the module away.

Remove your Input Modules or Spacers in the same way as the Keyboard, lifting from the bottom using the pull tabs as shown.

Remember to power off the system and unplug the USB-C power cable before you open the Interposer Door.

You can access the Interposer and change the Expansion Bay Module without removing the Mid Plate.

Flip open the Interposer Door using the pull tab provided.

Make sure that the door is closed again before closing the Laptop lid to avoid any risk of damage to the display.

Loosen the 3 captive fasteners, and then use the pull tab to lift the Expansion Bay Shell Interposer out. These are captive fasteners, meaning that they will stay attached to the Interposer.

The Interposer should lift out easily. If you feel any resistance, check that all 3 fasteners are loosened, and do not force it.

Loosen the two captive fasteners that secure the Expansion Bay Shell.

Note that these fasteners are captive and will remain attached to the bracket.

With the Framework Laptop 16 closed, turn the Laptop over and gently slide the Expansion Bay Shell up from the Expansion Bay slot as shown to remove it.

If the Expansion Bay Shell seems stuck do not force it. Make sure that the captive fasteners are correctly loosened (see previous steps).

This cable is labeled with the Number 1 to indicate that it should be disconnected before loosening the Mid Plate Fasteners.

It is important to disconnect this cable before removing the Mid Plate as leaving it attached could damage the cable.

Using the T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver unscrew the 16 captive fasteners attaching the Mid Plate to the Bottom Cover. These are numbered from 2-17 (since the Mid Plate Cable is number 1)

These fasteners are captive, meaning they will remain attached to the Mid Plate when fully loosened.

Do not use powered tools for this step as this risks damage to the fasteners, as with all fasteners in the Framework Laptop 16 these can be easily loosened using the included Framework Screwdriver

Carefully lift the Mid Plate away from the Bottom Cover and set it aside.

If the Mid Plate seems stuck, check the fasteners are all loosened, there should be little resistance.

Using the T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver, unscrew the fastener on the Storage module. The module will rise up at a 20-degree angle.

Gently pull the Storage module out of the socket. You might have to use a slight left-right motion.

Using the T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver, unscrew the fastener on the Storage module.

Gently pull the Storage module out of the socket using the pull tab provided, and pushing directly away from the socket as shown.

Using your fingers, nudge the two metal clips away from one of the Memory modules just enough for the Memory module to pop up.

The module will rise up at a 20-degree angle. Gently pull the Memory out of the socket.

Repeat this on the second Memory module if you have two installed and want to replace both.

Using the spudger side of your Framework Screwdriver, flip open the latch securing the Fingerprint Reader cable in place.

Using the pull tab, gently pull the Fingerprint Reader cable out of the socket on the Mainboard.

Since the Ventilation Plate is held in place by the Mid Plate and the module installed in the Expansion Bay, with both of these removed, you can now lift it away from the Bottom Cover.

As you lift the Ventilation Plate away, peel the light adhesive holding the Fingerprint Reader Cable onto the Bottom Cover as shown.

Loosen the 3 fasteners, note that these are captive fasteners that will remain attached to the Battery.

Lift the pull tab up to disconnect the Battery then lift it out to remove it from the Bottom Cover.

Disconnect the Speaker cable from the Mainboard by pulling directly up using the pull tab as shown.

At the top of the Mainboard are three connectors to remove, from right to left these are the eDP (Display) cable, the Webcam Cable and the WiFi.

Disconnect the eDP and Webcam cables by pulling directly up on the pull tabs and unroute the cables slightly from their guides as shown to keep them out of the way of the Mainboard.

Remove the WiFi Bracket using the Torx T5 bit on your Framework Screwdriver and remove the WiFi Card as shown.

We recommend for this guide to keep the WiFi Module attached to the antenna cables as these can be difficult to reattach.

Using the Torx T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver remove the six fasteners shown.

Note that one of the fasteners is under the Interposer Door.

Lifting from the edges of the board and heatpipes as shown lift the Mainboard out of the Bottom Cover as shown.

There should be little resistance so if the Mainboard feels stuck, make sure all six fasteners were removed in the previous step.

Male sure that all cables (Speaker, WiFi, eDP, Webcam) are out of the way before installing the Mainboard.

Holding the Mainboard from the edges of the board and the heatpipes as shown, lower it into the Bottom Cover.

Using the Torx T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver install the six Mainboard fasteners, noting that one of them is under the Interposer Door.

Starting from left to right install the WiFi Module, the Webcam cable and the eDP cable.

Plug in the WiFi Module, route the antenna cables through the channel above the Mainboard and around the metal post on the Mainboard as shown, and then secure the WiFi Bracket using the Torx T5 bit on your Framework Screwdriver.

Connect the eDP and Webcam cables by lining them up with the socket on the Mainboard and pushing gently down.

Place the Ventilation Plate into place as shown, the holes for fasteners will align with the bottom cover.

Gently press down the Finger Print Reader cable to stick it to the Bottom Cover.

With the latch on the Mainboard open, connect the Fingerprint Reader cable to the Mainboard as shown.

This is quite a small connector so you may find it easiest to use the tab on the cable to push the cable into place.

Once fully inserted, close the latch on the Mainboard to secure the cable in place.

Connect the Speaker cable to the socket on the Mainboard by lining it up to the socket and pressing directly downward as shown.

Lower the Battery into place, first aligning the bottom of Battery in the bottom cover as shown, then push down gently to attach the connector to the Mainboard.

Tighten the 3 captive fasteners to hold the Battery in place.

Please make sure you are using DDR5 Memory as DDR4 Memory is not compatible with this Mainboard.

Insert each Memory module into the Mainboard by first aligning the notch on the Memory module with the notch on the socket and then sliding it in.

Note that for Channel 1 the Memory stick will need to be inserted "upside down" compared to Channel 0.

Make sure that the memory is fully inserted before proceeding.

Once the module is fully inserted, it will rise up at a 20-degree angle. Gently press the module down towards the Mainboard until the clips located at the top and bottom of the receptacle snap into place.

The first boot after installing a new Memory module will take longer than normal, as the system prepares itself for the new module.

If you have an M.2 2230 Secondary SSD to install, follow this step. If not, you can skip to the next step.

If there is a blue plastic liner covering the thermal pad that is below the Secondary SSD area, peel it off.

Remove the fastener for the Secondary SSD.

Unlike the Primary SSD, this slot is not angled. Place the SSD in flat against the slot as shown in the video, then carefully push it into the slot.

Make sure the notch on your M.2 2230 SSD is lined up to the notch on the SSD Slot.

Once securely inserted, insert and tighten the fastener.

Using the T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver, unscrew the fastener that is used to secure the Primary SSD.

Align the notch on the Storage module with the notch on the socket and slide the module into the Mainboard.

Once properly inserted the module will rise up at a 20-degree angle.

Using one finger gently hold the Storage module down to the Mainboard and use your other hand to screw in the fastener using the T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver.

Place the Mid Plate onto the system, aligning the holes in the Mid Plate with the two guide posts.

These posts are on the left side and the right side, immediately above the speakers on both sides.

Take extra time to make sure it's sitting level/ flush.

Using the pull tab, gently press the Mid Plate connector down to connect it to the Mainboard.

Carefully align, then firmly press in the mid plate connector cable.

Using the T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver tighten the Mid Plate fasteners.

Before gently tightening the screws, double check that the mid plate is aligned correctly as shown in previous step.

These fasteners are labelled 2-17 (since the Mid Plate cable is number 1) and should be tightened in order, starting with 2 and ending with 17.

Do not overtighten these fasteners, and we recommend against the use of powered tools for these or any other fasteners on the Framework Laptop 16.

With the Framework Laptop 16 closed, align the Expansion Bay Shell with the Expansion Bay slot and gently slide it into place.

You should hear the Expansion Bay Shell click into place when fully inserted.

There should be very little resistance when installing the module. If it is not sliding into place, do not force it. Remove the module and check that it is lined up correctly before trying again.

Tighten the 2 captive fasteners to secure the Expansion Bay Shell in place.

Gently lower the Expansion Bay Shell Interposer into place noting the orientation. You should have two fasteners at the top and one at the bottom (as pictured)

Tighten all 3 captive fasteners, making sure not to overtighten them.

With the Interposer installed, close the Interposer Door.

Please see our guide here on possible Input Module configurations.

Holding from the pull tabs at the bottom of the Keyboard module, line it up with the dashed guide lines printed on the Mid Plate. Note that you can align a Keyboard so that it is either along the left edge, the right edge, or centered. With the Keyboard held at a 20 degree angle, slide it up into place.

The notches along the top of the Keyboard will fit into the corresponding alignment guides under the Ventilation Plate.

Lower the Keyboard gently into place, it should snap in place magnetically and sit flat.

Ensure that the pins in the Mid Plate to the left and right of the Input Module Connector align into the corresponding holes in the Keyboard module.

Next install, two Spacer Modules, an LED Matrix, a Numpad, an RGB Macropad, or whichever other combination of two Small or one Medium sized Input Module you have.

Slide these in at an angle and lower into place, the same way the Keyboard was installed.

Whichever Input modules you chose to install, you should have no empty spaces in the top row before proceeding to the next step.

Place the Touchpad Module flat, slightly below the Keyboard as shown.

Like the Keyboard, you can confirm it is properly aligned by lining it up to the dashed lines on the Mid Plate.

Applying gentle downward pressure to keep the Touchpad module flat, slide it up into place.

Remember that the Input Deck Latches should still be open at this point, otherwise the Touchpad Module won't slide on.

The Touchpad Module can be installed either directly below the Keyboard or offset by one space to the right. For example, the Keyboard can have the Touchpad below it, or the Keyboard can be left-aligned while the Touchpad is centered.

Just like installing the Touchpad module, place the Touchpad Spacers flat on the Input Deck, slightly below the Keyboard or Spacers above.

Applying gentle pressure, slide the Touch Module Spacers into place.

With the Touchpad Module Spacers installed there should now be no empty spaces on the Input Deck.

Once all Input Modules are installed, close both Input Deck Latches to secure them in place.

Once you have entered the Framework Laptop 16 UEFI BIOS navigate to Setup Utility using the arrow keys and press Enter.

Navigate to the Advanced menu and at the bottom of this menu is Battery Disconnect.

Press Enter, select No and press Enter again. To save and exit press F10 and then Enter.