How do you replace the RAM in a laptop?
Replace your RAM
Replacing your RAM is a breeze, but you should know how to do it. Go through the following 6 steps:
- Discharge
- Flow off
- Open the housing
- Remove old RAM module
- Insert new RAM module
- Close the laptop again
What do you need?
- A laptop
- 1 or more RAM modules
- Tools to open your laptop's casing
- An antistatic wrist strap
- A towel
Tip: Leave the new RAM module in the packaging as long as possible. That way, the chance of damage due to static charge or dust is minimal.
Step 1. Discharge
If you're working on a computer, it's important not to be statically charged. You've probably felt that static charge as a shock you occasionally get when you shake someone's hand. That charge, however small, can be disastrous for computer parts. Work with an antistatic wrist strap to avoid that.
If necessary, you can also 'discharge' yourself by touching a metal part of the casing. You'll have to continue to repeat this while going through this manual.
Step 2. Take the power off
- Turn off the laptop. Don't put it in sleep mode, turn it off completely. Don't charge the laptop when you open it.
- Do you have a replaceable battery? Unplug it.
- Press and hold the on/off button for a few seconds. This way the last bit of power flows out of the laptop.
Step 3. Open the casing
To replace the RAM memory, you have to open the laptop's casing. You can do so at the bottom of the laptop. Sometimes the bottom consists of different panels and you only have to detach one panel. Sometimes you have to unscrew the whole back.
Option A: the bottom of my laptop has different panels
- Put the closed laptop on a soft surface, like a towel.
- Look for the RAM logo on the panels. Said logo is a rectangular block with dashes at the bottom. If there are no logos on the panels, you'll have to unscrew them one by one to see where the RAM modules are located.
Option B: the bottom of my laptop consists of one panel
- Put the closed laptop on a soft surface, like a towel.
- Loosen the screws and remove the lower part of the casing.
Tip: Put the screws on the towel so they don't roll away and get lost.
Step 4. Remove old RAM module
The way the RAM is attached to the motherboard may vary. In most cases, there are 2 clips above the RAM module.
- Slide the clips above the RAM module to the side until the RAM module moves up a bit.
- Pull out the RAM module. Only hold the sides so you don't damage the chip or other metal parts.
Step 5. Insert the new RAM module
A RAM module only fits in the on the motherboard in one way. On the RAM module, there's a groove at the bottom. That groove fits into a ridge on the motherboard's mount.
- Hold the new RAM module by its sides.
- Locate the ridge in the motherboard mount and make sure the groove on the RAM module fits well.
- Push the RAM module into the mount firmly.
- Push the RAM module down until the 2 clips snap back over it.
Step 6. Close the laptop again
The laptop can be closed again. Screw the detached parts back on. Did you disconnect the battery? Connect it again.
It's not necessary to install additional software or something like that. Your laptop automatically recognizes the new RAM.
Problems? This is what you can check yourself
Did something go wrong? Look below for possible solutions.
- Do you have a replaceable battery? Check if it's properly locked.
- Restore the old RAM and check if the laptop is working now. If so, it's not the laptop, but the RAM module (read more below). If not, then there might be something wrong with the laptop. Did you accidentally unplug a cable during installation?
- Not every RAM module works with every laptop. Are you sure you purchased the right RAM module? Read more about what to look for here.
- Does the system say that you have less RAM than you thought you installed? Don't panic. Due to different measuring methods, the memory may differ slightly.
- Still having problems? Please contact our customer service.
