Xiaomi laptops are a combination of stylish design, performance and affordable price. However, even the most reliable technology requires maintenance: dust cleaning, heatpaste replacement, RAM upgrade or SSD. If you are faced with overheating, slow work or just want to upgrade your device, disassembling the laptop is the first step. But here lies the main problem: the Xiaomi case is fastened not only screws, but also hidden latches, and the wrong opening can lead to cracks in the plastic or damage to the plumes.
In this article, we will learn how to carefully disassemble Xiaomi RedmiBook, Mi Notebook Pro, Mi Notebook Air and other popular models. You will learn what tools you need, where the pitfalls are hidden, and how to avoid typical errors. And also unique screw layouts for specific models that are not in the standard instructions. Ready? Then let's get started!
Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures
Before you start the screwdriver, make sure you have everything you need, and the lack of the right tools is the main cause of damage to the case.
Here is the minimum set you will need:
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (mandatory with a magnetic tip!): PH00, PH0, T4, T5 (For some RedmiBook models 15/16 need T6).
- 📏 Plastic mediators (or guitar mediators) – to separate the latches of the body.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or screw container (so as not to lose small details).
- 🔥 Hair dryer or thermal air station (for models with battery adhesive attachment, for example, Mi Notebook Pro X 15).
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Cleaning contacts and removing old thermal paste.
Also prepare the workplace: the desk should be clean, well-lit and without carpeting (screws are easily lost in the pile). disconnect the laptop from the network, remove the charger and remove the battery (if possible without disassembly).
⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi laptop is warranty-free, disassembly will invalidate it. RedmiBook Pro 15 (2022) and later uses a special seal on one of the screws - its damage will be noticeable in the service center.
Step 1: Removing the bottom cover – the main mistakes and secrets
The most critical step is to separate the bottom panel, and there's a critical mistake that many people make: they try to fit the lid with a knife or a screwdriver, which causes the plastic to chip, and remember, the latches are not evenly arranged, and they have to be opened in a strict sequence.
Algorithm of action:
- Turn your laptop over and unscrew all the visible screws (the number varies from 8 to 12 depending on the model). In RedmiBook 14 II, there are additional screws hidden under the rubber legs - remember to remove them!
- Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the top and bottom of the case on the left side (keyboard side), carefully guide it along the perimeter, alternately snapping the locks.
- Pay special attention to the corner near HDMI-The slat is the tightest in the port, so don't force it, you better warm it up with a hairdryer (temperature is 60 or less).°C).
If the lid fails, check:
- 🔍 All screws are twisted (sometimes one is hidden under the sticker).
- 🔄 Have you confused the opening direction (on some models you need to start from the right side).
- 🔥 The case may be glued – in this case, heating will be required (but don’t overdo it to avoid melting the plastic!).
☑️ Check before removing the lid
⚠️ Attention: In the Mi Notebook Pro X 15 (2021) and RedmiBook Pro 15 (2022), an additional propeller is hidden under the lid, which locks the battery. If it is not unscrewed before removing the battery, you can break the touchpad plume! Step 2: After removing the lid, the first thing to do is to disconnect the battery from the motherboard. This is not just a recommendation, but a safety rule: even a laptop that is turned off can apply voltage to components when it accidentally circuits. How to turn off the battery: Find the battery connector (usually a black or white connector with 4-6 pins). In RedmiBook 16, it is located next to the cooler, in Mi Notebook Air, closer to the touchpad. Carefully tuck the connector into a plastic tool by pulling the black plastic latch (not the wires!). Make sure the connector is completely out of the socket - sometimes it sticks due to oxidation. If the sleeve is not removed or not removed: 🔧 Try to sway it slightly left-right. 🧴 Apply a drop of isopropyl alcohol to contacts and wait 1–2 minute. ⚠️ Do not use metal tools - the risk of short circuit! 💡Take a picture of all the plumes and connectors before you shut down, and that will help you get your laptop back together, especially if you're a beginner. 3: Access to key components: RAM, SSD, Now that the lid is off and the battery is off, you can start servicing. Let's take a look at what's in the popular Xiaomi models: The RAM model. SSD Cooler/thermopaste Features of RedmiBook 14/15/16 (2020–2023) 1 slot (soldered memory in some modifications) M.2 2280 (Supports NVMe) 2 heat pipes, thermal paste on CPU/GPU Cooler screws hidden under the black cover of the Mi Notebook Pro X 15 (2021) 2 slot. 64GB DDR4) 2x M.2 2280 (one under the radiator) 3 heat pipes, liquid metal per GPU Battery glued, requires heating to remove Mi Notebook Air 13.3" (2018-2019) soldered memory (not replaceable) M.2 2242 (short form factor!) 1 heat tube, weak cooling system Fragile plastic case - careful with latches! To replace RAM: 🖥️ In models with a single slot (RedmiBook 14), memory is often soldered - upgrade is impossible. 🔧 In two-slot laptops (Mi Notebook Pro), squeeze the latches on the sides of the module and remove it at a 30-angle.°. For replacement SSD: 📁 Vint M.2 It is fitted with a single screw (usually M2x3 Don't confuse the length - 2242 won't fit in the 2280 slot! 🔥 In some models SSD It's closed with a metal plate, and you have to unscrew it with 2 screws. What if the laptop doesn't turn on after you've replaced it? SSD?If after installing a new drive, the laptop does not start, check: 1. Is it inserted correctly? SSD (2. Protocol compatibility (NVMe vs. SATA) — Some older Mi Notebook Air models do not support NVMe. 3. BIOS — In rare cases, firmware is required to support new drives. Step 4: Cleaning the cooling system and replacing the thermal paste Overheating is a common problem for Xiaomi laptops, especially in gaming or resource-intensive tasks. The main reasons are dusty radiator, dry heat paste or cooler malfunction. We'll figure out how to fix it. Order of action: Unscrew the screws that lock the cooler (usually 4 pieces, but in the Mi Notebook Pro X there are 6). 3-pin or 4-pin Take off the radiator. Be careful, the heat paste may stick to the processor. If the radiator doesn't move, rotate it carefully left and right. Clean the cooler blades and the radiator ribs of dust with a brush and vacuum cleaner. For stubborn dirt, use cotton swabs soaked in isopropyl alcohol. When replacing the thermal paste, use cotton swabs: 🧪 For Intel processors (Core) i5/i7) Noctua will do. NT-H2 Arctic MX-6. 🔥 For models with AMD Ryzen (such as RedmiBook) 16 Pro) is better to use liquid metal (Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut), but its application requires experience. 📏 The optimal layer of pasta - with a grain of rice (0.1–0.2 The excess will lead to overheating! ⚠️ Note: In laptops Mi Notebook Pro X 15 graphically NVIDIA GTX 1650 Thermopaste on a chip is often dried out of the factory. When you replace it, be sure to clean the residues with alcohol - mixing different pastes worsens the thermal conductivity. 5: Collecting a laptop back seems easier than disassembling, but here lie in wait for their traps. Main problems: extra screws, unconnected plumes or improperly installed battery: ☑️ Before assembling a Xiaomi laptop All the plumes (touchpad, keyboard, speakers) are connected and fixed The battery is securely fixed (no backlashes) Thermopast is applied evenly, the radiator fits tightly All screws are screwed (compare with a photo before disassembly)The cover of the case rises without gaps (check latches) Completed: 0 / 5 Assembly tips: 🔩 Screw the screws cross-cross to avoid skewing the body. 🔊 Before final assembly, turn on the laptop with the battery connected, but without the cover – check if the cooler, keyboard and touchpad work. 📱 If the touchpad doesn't work after assembly, it's probably gone. 15 It is located under a black tape - gently press the connector. If the laptop doesn't turn on after assembly: Check the battery and power connector of the motherboard. Make sure that the RAM and SSD are installed before clicking. If the motherboard has a power indicator (usually a small LED), its lack of glow indicates a problem with the power supply. Typical problems and their solutions Even with careful disassembly, there may be problems. Consider the most common and ways to fix them. Problem Possible cause Laptop solution turns on, but screen black Display matrix plume or not connected display cable Disassemble again, check the connector on the motherboard (usually next to the screen hinges) Cooler works at maximum, but the laptop is heated Wrongly applied thermal paste or radiator poorly pressed Recheck radiator mounting and paste layer Touchpad does not respond to touching Trailpad not connected or damaged Disconnect battery, check connector (in Mi Notebook Air it is fragile!) Laptop turns off after 5-10 seconds after turning on Short circuit or Power problem Check all connectors, especially battery and charging.Maybe the motherboard is damaged if you're facing a problem that's not in the table: 🔍 Look for a solution by exact laptop model (e.g., RedmiBook 16 2023 won’t turn on after disassembly»). 📹 Watch video disassemblies on YouTube – often authors show nuances that are difficult to describe in text. 🛠️ If you're not sure about your abilities, contact the service. 💡The most common mistake in Xiaomi disassembly is to damage the touchpad plume, which is 80% due to careless removal of the battery or the lid! FAQ: Frequent questions about dismantling Xiaomi laptops: Can you disassemble RedmiBook 14 without special tools? Technically, yes, but the risk of damage to the case is very high. Plastic latches are fragile, and without mediators they are easy to break. At least you need a screwdriver. PH0 But for a clean disassembly, you'd better use a full set of tools? Signs of dried thermal paste: The laptop is very warm even in simple tasks (CPU temperature above 80 ° C in HWMonitor). The cooler is running at maximum speeds all the time. Performance is reduced due to trottling (checked in ThrottleStop). On average, the the thermal paste is recommended to change once every 1.5-2 years. What to do if the keyboard does not work after disassembly? Most likely, the keyboard plume in Xiaomi models is usually located under the battery or next to the touchpad 13. (If you can find a laptop plug in the back, if you can change the plug in the cord, if you have a plug on the laptop, if you have a plug in the car, you can reset). In this model, memory is soldered to the motherboard, and upgrade is impossible. Alternative options: Optimize the system (turn off background processes, use SSDs). Add a swap file to the SSD (but this is a temporary solution). Consider buying another model with the possibility of upgrading (for example, RedmiBook Pro 15). How to remove the battery if it is glued? Sticked batteries are found in Mi Notebook Pro X models and some RedmiBooks. Algorithm: Unscrew all the screws that lock the battery. Carefully adjust to the new battery power from the battery with a 60° battery, and use a special battery from the battery from the battery from the battery from the battery from the battery.