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Public Release - 1.0

Minor Versionm

by Iroh

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace or upgrade the memory module (aka RAM) in your Framework Laptop 12.

Your Framework Laptop's SO-DIMM memory slot supports up to 48 GB of DDR5 memory at DDR5-5200 speed. If you install memory faster than the supported speed, the laptop will work properly, but not use the full memory speed.

For a list of validated memory modules, check out this link.

You'll encounter some component terms in this guide:

  • The Input Cover is the piece that contains the keyboard and trackpad.

Parts

No parts specified.

  1. Before you begin repairs, unplug your laptop and shut it down from the operating system. This ensures that the laptop isn't in standby/suspend mode. The indicator LEDs along the edges should be unlit. The laptop should be silent. If you accidentally turn on the laptop during repair, hold the power button down for 10 seconds to shut it down.
    • Before you begin repairs, unplug your laptop and shut it down from the operating system. This ensures that the laptop isn't in standby/suspend mode.

    • The indicator LEDs along the edges should be unlit. The laptop should be silent.

    • If you accidentally turn on the laptop during repair, hold the power button down for 10 seconds to shut it down.

    • Make sure your Framework Screwdriver has the T5 Torx bit (labeled as T-5) facing outwards. If it's not, pull the bit out and flip it.

  2. Set your Framework Laptop face-down on a clean work surface.
    • Set your Framework Laptop face-down on a clean work surface.

  3. Use your Framework Screwdriver to fully loosen the eight captive T5 Torx screws on the bottom of your laptop. Most screws in your Framework Laptop (including these) are captive—they're designed to stay in place after you loosen them.
    • Use your Framework Screwdriver to fully loosen the eight captive T5 Torx screws on the bottom of your laptop.

    • Most screws in your Framework Laptop (including these) are captive—they're designed to stay in place after you loosen them.

    • Your laptop comes with a spare set of screws in the frame above the battery. Be careful—the replacement screws aren't captive.

  4. Flip your laptop over so it's face-up on your work surface.
    • Flip your laptop over so it's face-up on your work surface.

  5. Open the laptop lid so that both the screen and the base lie flat on your work surface. Open the laptop lid so that both the screen and the base lie flat on your work surface.
    • Open the laptop lid so that both the screen and the base lie flat on your work surface.

  6. Use your fingers to grip the Input Cover in the hinge cutouts. Lift upwards to swing the Input Cover up from the base of the laptop. There are magnets holding the Input Cover down, so you'll feel some resistance. If it feels like a lot of force is required, check that you've fully loosened all the screws on the bottom of your laptop.
    • Use your fingers to grip the Input Cover in the hinge cutouts.

    • Lift upwards to swing the Input Cover up from the base of the laptop.

    • There are magnets holding the Input Cover down, so you'll feel some resistance. If it feels like a lot of force is required, check that you've fully loosened all the screws on the bottom of your laptop.

    • Remove the Input Cover.

  7. Use your fingers to flip open the memory flap. Use your fingers to flip open the memory flap.
    • Use your fingers to flip open the memory flap.

  8. Use your fingers to spread the clips on both sides of the memory module apart to unclip the memory. The memory module will pop up to an angle when it's unclipped.
    • Use your fingers to spread the clips on both sides of the memory module apart to unclip the memory.

    • The memory module will pop up to an angle when it's unclipped.

  9. Use your fingers to grab the memory module by its edges. Slide the memory module out of its socket and remove it.
    • Use your fingers to grab the memory module by its edges.

    • Slide the memory module out of its socket and remove it.

  10. Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your Framework Laptop.
    • Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your Framework Laptop.

  11. Hold the memory module by its edges. Don't touch the gold contacts with your fingers. If you do, wipe the contacts with a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any finger oils. Orient the module with the label facing down and align the gold contacts with the socket. Insert the contact edge into the socket at a shallow angle. The gold contacts should mostly be covered by the socket.
    • Hold the memory module by its edges. Don't touch the gold contacts with your fingers. If you do, wipe the contacts with a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any finger oils.

    • Orient the module with the label facing down and align the gold contacts with the socket.

    • Insert the contact edge into the socket at a shallow angle. The gold contacts should mostly be covered by the socket.

    • Press the edges of the memory module down until the side clips lock it in place.

  12. Flip the memory flap back over the memory module. Flip the memory flap back over the memory module.
    • Flip the memory flap back over the memory module.

  13. Angle the bottom edge of the Input Cover towards the base of the laptop. Align and insert the bottom edge of the Input Cover into the base of the laptop. Make sure the slots along the bottom edge of the Input Cover slide into the tabs in the base.
    • Angle the bottom edge of the Input Cover towards the base of the laptop.

    • Align and insert the bottom edge of the Input Cover into the base of the laptop.

    • Make sure the slots along the bottom edge of the Input Cover slide into the tabs in the base.

    • Lower the Input Cover's top edge onto the laptop until the magnets snap it in place.

    • Make sure the Input Cover sits neatly within the laptop frame and no corners are popping up.

  14. Close the laptop lid. Flip your laptop face-down on a clean work surface.
    • Close the laptop lid.

    • Flip your laptop face-down on a clean work surface.

  15. Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the eight captive T5 Torx screws on the bottom of your laptop. Tighten the screws until they're snug. Don't over-tighten them, or you may strip the screws.
    • Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the eight captive T5 Torx screws on the bottom of your laptop.

    • Tighten the screws until they're snug. Don't over-tighten them, or you may strip the screws.

Conclusion

You finished fixing your Framework Laptop!

After installing new memory, the laptop will take longer to start up for the first time, and the screen will turn on slower. This is normal—the system is performing memory training.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

If you need help, contact Framework support.

One other person completed this guide.

Iroh

Member since: 06/07/2024

27 Guides authored

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