How to remove keyboard from Lenovo ThinkPad T420s

posted in: 6. IBM & Lenovo | 9
Lenovo ThinkPad T420s laptop

In the following guide I explain how to remove the keyboard from a Lenovo ThinkPad T420s.

This guide will help you to replace failed or damaged keyboard, access the CMOS battery and cooling fan (for cleaning in case of overheating).

Before you start, make sure the laptop is turned off.

STEP 1.

Unlock and remove the battery.

Remove laptop battery

STEP 2.

Remove two screws securing the service cover located on the bottom.

Lift up and remove the cover.

Remove service cover

STEP 3.

Remove one two screws securing the keyboard.

Update: there are two, not one screw securing the keyboard. The second one located on the right from the battery connector.

Also, under the service cover you can get access to both RAM slots and wireless card.

This laptop can handle up to 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-12800 SODIMM RAM modules.

Remove keyboard screw

STEP 4.

Slide the entire keyboard about 2-3 millimeters towards the screen.

Slide keyboard towards screen

STEP 5.

Insert a piece of plastic (or knife blade) under the keyboard click buttons and carefully lift it up.

Lift up keyboard

STEP 6.

Continue separating the keyboard from the top cover.

Continue removing keyboard

STEP 7.

Lay down the keyboard on the palm rest.

Now you can access the keyboard cable and unplug it from the motherboard.

Access keyboard connector

STEP 8.

Here’s how to disconnect the keyboard cable.

Simply lift up the connector and unplug it from the motherboard.

Disconnect keyboard cable

STEP 9.

Now you can remove the keyboard and replace it with a new one.

Remove keyboard

STEP 10.

When the old keyboard is removed, take a look at the bottom side.

In my case I had thermal pad stuck to the keyboard. This thermal pad should go back on the chip.

If your thermal pad still attached to the chip you can skip the following three steps.

Thermal pad

STEP 11.

Separate thermal pad from the keyboard using a knife blade, do not touch it with your fingers.

Separate thermal pad from keyboard

STEP 12.

Place thermal pad back on the chip.

Place thermal pad on chip

STEP 13.

Now you can install the new keyboard back in place and assemble the laptop back together.

Thermal pad installed in place

When the keyboard is removed you can get some limited access to the cooling fan.

This should be enough for cleaning the cooling fan and heatsink from dust in case of overheating.

Find an air compressor or canned air and blow air into the fan until all dust is gone.

Cooling fan

Also, under the keyboard you can access the CMOS battery.

CMOS battery

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9 Responses

  1. Mark

    Do you have complete guide for this model? I’m trying to change failed fan. Thanks.

    • IML Tech

      @ Mark,
      I haven’t created the compete guide yet but you can find fan removal instructions in the service manual. You’ll find it on the page 96.

  2. Greg

    An important step is missing in Step 3. There are actually two screws holding in the keyboard. Not one. The second screw is located directly under the mouse buttons. It also has a little keyboard icon next to it.

  3. Andreas

    Hi,

    do you know the height of the thermal pad which is between keyboard and the chip? I changed my keyboard several months ago and just noticed that the thermal pad is missing. Now 8 want to order a new one but I need to know the height.

    Best regards,
    Andreas

  4. Carol

    I made it halfway thru step 3. Then i found that the 2nd screw mentioned in step 3 is stripped. I can’t remove it. Any tips?

  5. Wazaii Karina

    u missed one screw under battery that holds keyboard, these is your epic fail

    • IML Tech

      Well… I forgot to circle the screw but I mentioned it in the step 3 many years ago.