Disassembling an MSI laptop: instructions for beginners and experienced users

Disassemble the laptop MSI doing it yourself is a task that scares many users. Concerns include the risk of damaging fragile components, voiding the warranty, or accidentally destroying the device. However, with the right approach and preparation, the disassembly process becomes not only safe, but also a useful skill. For example, this will allow you to clean the cooling system from dust, replace thermal paste, install additional RAM, or SSD drive.

In this article we will look in detail at how to disassemble laptops. MSI popular series - from gaming Raider And Stealth up to budget Modern And Prestige. Let's pay attention to the nuances that the manufacturer rarely advertises: hidden latches, features of mounting the motherboard and how not to damage the cables. We’ll also tell you which tools are really necessary and which you can do without.

Preparing for Disassembly: Tools and Precautions

Before you begin disassembling, make sure you have everything you need. Lack of the correct tools is a leading cause of damage to the case or internal components. Here is the minimum set you will need:

• 🔧 Phillips screwdriver (preferably magnetic, size PH0 or PH00 for small screws).
• 📏 Plastic picks (or guitar picks) to release the case latches.
• 🧲 Antistatic wrist strap (or grounded surface) to protect against static electricity.
• 📦 Containers for screws (you can use magnetic mats or signed bags).
• 🔍 Magnifying glass or flashlight for inspection of small parts.

Pay special attention workspace organization. Disassemble the laptop on a clean, well-lit table. If you are working with a model MSI GE76 or GT77, where there are many screws of different lengths, we recommend photographing their location before removing them - this will simplify reassembly. It would also be a good idea to have on hand isopropyl alcohol (to clean contacts) and thermal paste (if you plan to replace it).

⚠️ Attention: If your laptop MSI is under warranty, disassembly may void it. Check the warranty terms before starting work. For some models (for example, MSI Creator Z16) warranty stickers are located under the cover - damage to them automatically voids the warranty.

Step 1: Turn off the power and remove the back cover

The first and most critical stage is to properly disconnect the laptop from power. Even if the device is turned off, the capacitors on the motherboard may retain charge, which will lead to a short circuit if not handled carefully. Follow this algorithm:

1. Turn off the laptop through the menu Start → Shutdown.
2. Disconnect the power supply and remove the battery (if it is removable).
3. Press and hold the power button on 10–15 seconds for discharging capacitors.

Now you can start removing the back cover. Most models MSI (For example, GF65 Thin or GL65 Leopard) the cover is secured with screws and plastic latches. Carefully unscrew all the screws - usually they are hidden under the rubber feet (they need to be pryed off with a fingernail or a plastic card). After this, insert the pick into the gap between the upper and lower parts of the case and slowly move it along the perimeter, releasing the latches.

Some laptops (for example, MSI Prestige 14) the cover can be glued around the perimeter. In this case you will need hair dryer to soften the glue. Heat the edges of the housing until 50–60°C (not higher, so as not to damage the plastic) and carefully pry off the lid.

Step 2: Removing the battery and disconnecting the cables

Once the cover is removed you will see the battery, which is usually held in place by 3-6 screws. Unscrew them and carefully lift the battery. Most models MSI The battery is connected to the motherboard via a connector. Never pull on wires! — first disconnect the connector by carefully prying it with a plastic tool.

Next, you need to disconnect all cables going to the motherboard. They can lead to the following components:

• 🖥️ Touchpad (usually a black or gray cable with a latch).
• 🔑 Keyboard (a wide white train, often glued with tape).
• 📡 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module (small connector M.2 with antenna wires).
• 🔊 Speakers (thin wires, sometimes soldered).

The cables are secured with latches that need to be carefully lifted up (sometimes they open to the side). Models MSI Titan GT77 And Raider GE76 The keyboard cable may be glued to the case - do not pull it by force, but first heat it with a hairdryer or use isopropyl alcohol to dissolve the glue.

⚠️ Attention: If you are disassembling a laptop with discrete graphics (For example, MSI GT76 with RTX 3080), be careful with radiators. They are often attached to the GPU via heat pipes - sudden movement can damage their connection.

Is the battery disconnected?|Are all the cover screws unscrewed?|Are the cables not stretched or twisted?|Are there spare latches for the connectors?-->

Step 3: Removing the cooling system and cleaning

The cooling system is one of the most problematic components in laptops MSI, especially in game series. Dust and dried thermal paste cause overheating, which reduces performance and shortens component life. To remove radiators, follow these steps:

1. Remove the screws that secure the heatsinks to the motherboard (they are usually marked with arrows or numbers indicating the order in which they should be tightened).
2. Carefully remove the radiators by pulling them upward. If they are “stuck” to the processor/video card, do not use force - first warm them up with a hairdryer on 40–50°C.
3. Disconnect the coolers from the radiators (they are secured with 2–4 screws).

For cleaning use:

• 🧹 Soft brush (for example, for drawing) to remove dust from the fan blades.
• 💨 Compressed air cylinder (keep it upright to avoid moisture).
• 🧴 Cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol (to clean contacts and remove old thermal paste).

Pay special attention heat pipes. Models MSI GE66 And GS66 they can be secured with additional screws under the radiator. If the tube is bent or damaged, replacing it will require complete disassembly of the laptop and special equipment.

Laptop model	Cooling system type	Cleaning Features
MSI GF63 Thin	One radiator + one fan	Fan blades are fragile - clean only with a brush
MSI GE76 Raider	Two radiators + two fans	Tubes may block access to RAM - remove carefully
MSI Modern 14	Passive cooling (no fan)	No cleaning required, but check the thermal paste
MSI GT77 Titan	Three fans + liquid metal thermal paste	To replace thermal paste, you need liquid metal paste (for example, Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut)

Step 4: Replace Thermal Paste and Thermal Pads

If you take apart your laptop because it's overheating, it's most likely due to dried out thermal paste. Manufacturers often skimp on its quality, so replacing it with a more effective one (for example, Noctua NT-H2 or Arctic MX-6) can reduce the temperature by 10–15°C.

Procedure:

1. Remove old thermal paste from the processor, video card and memory chips using a tissue and isopropyl alcohol (90%+).
2. Apply a thin layer of new thermal paste (about the size of a pea for the CPU, a little less for the GPU).
3. Replace thermal pads on radiators (if they have delaminated or hardened). For MSI Thick gaskets are suitable 0.5–1 mm.

For models with liquid metal thermal paste (For example, MSI GT77 or GE76 Raider) the process is more complicated:

• Liquid metal must be removed with special wipes, as it conducts electricity.
• The new paste is applied with a spatula or plastic card. only on the processor/video card chip, avoiding contact with contacts.
• After application, be sure to check for short circuits with a multimeter.

What happens if you apply too much thermal paste?

Excess paste may leak over the edges of the crystal and onto the motherboard contacts, causing a short circuit. In addition, a thick layer impairs thermal conductivity, since the air in the pores of the paste acts as an insulator. The optimal layer is 0.1–0.3 mm after pressing the radiator.

Step 5: Upgrade components: RAM, SSD and Wi-Fi

One of the main reasons for disassembling a laptop MSI — hardware upgrade. Most models support:

• 🖥️ Adding RAM (up to 64 GB DDR4/DDR5 depending on model).
• 💾 Installing a second SSD (usually slot M.2 NVMe under the cover).
• 📶 Replacing the Wi-Fi module (for example, on Intel AX210 to support Wi-Fi 6E).

To install RAM:

1. Find slots SO-DIMM (usually located under the cover, next to the battery).
2. Press the latches on the sides and remove the old strips (if any).
3. Insert new modules at an angle 45° and press until it clicks.

When installing SSD pay attention to the length of the drive. Ultrabooks MSI (For example, Prestige 14) can only support drives of length 42 mm, while game models (GE76) - up to 80 mm. Also check if it is included thermal pad for SSD - without it, the drive may overheat.

⚠️ Attention: On laptops MSI with soldered memory (For example, MSI Stealth 15M) RAM upgrade is not possible. Check the specifications of your model on the official website before purchasing components.

Step 6: Reassemble and Test

Assembling the laptop should proceed in the reverse order, but with some nuances:

1. Make sure that all cables are connected tightly and that the latches are secure.
2. Tighten the screws in a cross pattern to avoid distorting the heatsinks or chassis.
3. Before final assembly, turn on the laptop with power connected (but without the lid) and check:
• 🔋 Is the system booting?
• 🔊 Do the speakers and touchpad work?
• 🌡️ Are temperatures shown in HWMonitor or MSI Center.

If everything works fine, replace the cover. For models with a glued lid (for example, MSI Summit E13) use new double-sided tape or glue B-7000. After assembly, check the laptop for:

• 🔊 Extraneous noise (creaks, rattling fans).
• 🔥 Overheating (run stress test in AIDA64 or Prime95).
• 🖱️ The performance of all ports (USB, HDMI, Thunderbolt).

1) Connecting the battery and power supply.

2) The tightness of the RAM (try reinstalling the strips).

3) Short circuit on the motherboard (inspect for foreign objects or leaked thermal paste).-->

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when disassembling MSI. Here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔩 Lost screws - use a magnetic mat or label containers (for example, “heatsink”, “SSD”, “keyboard”).
• 🔌 Damage to cables — never pull on the wires, only on the connectors. If the cable is torn, it can be temporarily fixed with tape, but it is better to replace it.
• 🔥 Overheating after assembly — check if you forgot to remove the protective film from the thermal pads or if air got into the cooling system.
• 💻 Laptop won't turn on - most often the culprit is incorrectly installed RAM or a short circuit due to liquid metal paste.

You need to be especially careful with models where battery is soldered in (For example, MSI Alpha 15). Attempt to disconnect it without proper tools can damage the motherboard. If you're not sure, it's better to leave the battery connected and work carefully around it.

Another typical problem is creaking or rattling after assembly. This may be caused by:

• A loose radiator.
• Ingress of a foreign object (for example, a broken plastic latch) into the housing.
• Incorrectly installed SSD (if it is not secured with a screw).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to disassemble an MSI laptop without special tools?

Theoretically yes, but the risk of damage to the case or components increases significantly. For example, without plastic picks, you may scratch the lid or break the latches. The minimum set is a Phillips screwdriver and a plastic card (for example, a bank card).

How do you know when it's time to change the thermal paste?

Main features:

• The laptop gets very hot even under low load (CPU/GPU temperatures are higher 85°C in idle time).
• The fans operate at maximum speed constantly.
• Performance drops (throttling) due to overheating.
• The thermal paste on the radiator became dry and hard (visible after disassembly).

Thermal paste service life - 2–3 years, but in gaming laptops it can dry out within a year.

What should I do if the keyboard or touchpad does not work after disassembling?

Most likely, the problem is an incorrectly connected cable. Remove the cover again and check:

• The tightness of the connection of the cable to the motherboard (sometimes it “pops out” during assembly).
• Integrity of the cable (no tears or creases).
• Connecting the battery (some models block the keyboard without a battery).

If the cable is damaged, it can be replaced (price - from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on model).

How to clean dust from MSI laptop without disassembling it?

Complete cleaning without disassembly is impossible, but you can reduce the amount of dust:

• Use a can of compressed air, blowing through the vents (keep the can upright!).
• Vacuum the openings at minimum power (being careful not to damage the fan blades).
• Use the laptop on a hard surface (not on a bed or sofa) to avoid blocking airflow.

However, to completely clean the radiators and replace the thermal paste, disassembly is required.

Is it possible to disassemble an MSI laptop with liquid metal thermal paste at home?

Yes, but it requires special care. Liquid metal (Galinstano or Conductonaut) conducts electricity, therefore:

• Apply it only on crystal CPU/GPU without touching the contacts.
• Wear gloves and eye protection.
• Before assembly, check with a multimeter that there are no short circuits between the contacts.

If you are not confident in your skills, it is better to contact a service center.