Dell XPS 15 9520 Service Manual
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Dell XPS 15 9520 Service Manual

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XPS 15 9520
Service Manual
Part Number: P91F
Regulatory Type: P91F003
March 2023
Rev. A03

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  • Page 1 XPS 15 9520 Service Manual Part Number: P91F Regulatory Type: P91F003 March 2023 Rev. A03...
  • Page 2 A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2022 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell Technologies, Dell, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Chapter 1: Working inside your computer..................5 Before working inside your computer..........................5 Safety instructions................................5 Electrostatic discharge—ESD protection........................6 ESD field service kit ................................6 Transporting sensitive components..........................7 After working inside your computer..........................7 Chapter 2: Removing and installing components................8 Recommended tools................................
  • Page 4 Updating the BIOS from the F12 One-Time boot menu..................70 Chapter 5: Troubleshooting......................72 Handling swollen Lithium-ion batteries........................72 Locate the Service Tag or Express Service Code of your Dell computer ..........72 System diagnostic lights..............................73 SupportAssist diagnostics............................... 74 Built-in self-test (BIST)..............................74 M-BIST...................................

  • Page 5: Chapter 1: Working Inside Your Computer

    You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical assistance team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the safety instructions that is shipped with the product or at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

  • Page 6: Electrostatic Discharge-Esd Protection

    ESD protection is an increasing concern. Due to the increased density of semiconductors used in recent Dell products, the sensitivity to static damage is now higher than in previous Dell products. For this reason, some previously approved methods of handling parts are no longer applicable.

  • Page 7: Transporting Sensitive Components

    It is recommended that all field service technicians use the traditional wired ESD grounding wrist strap and protective anti-static mat at all times when servicing Dell products. In addition, it is critical that technicians keep sensitive parts separate from all insulator parts while performing service and that they use anti-static bags for transporting sensitive components.

  • Page 8: Chapter 2: Removing And Installing Components

    Removing and installing components NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● Phillips screwdriver #0 ● Phillips screwdriver #1 ●...

  • Page 9: Major Components Of Xps-15 9520

    Table 1. Screw list (continued) Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Screw image Speakers Palm-rest and M2x2 keyboard assembly Graphics card-processor System board M2x2 thermal shield cover Type-C bracket Palm-rest and M2x4 keyboard assembly Display-assembly cable System board M2x2 bracket Display-assembly cable Palm-rest and M1.6x3...
  • Page 10 1. Base cover 2. Battery 3. Heat sink 4. Memory module 5. Right fan 6. USB Type-C bracket 7. System board 8. Charger thermal bracket 9. Speaker 10. Display assembly 11. Palm-rest and keyboard assembly 12. Wireless-card bracket 13. I/O-board shield 14.

  • Page 11: Base Cover

    NOTE: Dell provides a list of components and their part numbers for the original system configuration purchased. These parts are available according to warranty coverages purchased by the customer. Contact your Dell sales representative for purchase options. Base cover Removing the base cover Prerequisites 1.
  • Page 12 Removing and installing components...
  • Page 13 Steps 1. Remove the eight screws(M2x3 , T5-Torx) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. CAUTION: Do not pull on or pry the base cover at the side where the hinges are located; doing so may damage the base cover.

  • Page 14: Installing The Base Cover

    CAUTION: Handle with care as the underside of the base cover has pins for grounding the audio board. After removing the base cover, place it in a location where contact can be avoided. NOTE: The following steps are applicable only if you want to further remove any other component from your computer. NOTE: Disconnecting the battery cable, removing the battery, or draining the flea power clears the CMOS and resets the BIOS settings on your computer.

  • Page 15: Battery

    Steps 1. Connect the battery cable to the system board, if applicable. 2. Align the screw holes on the base cover with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Starting from the bottom-right corner snap the base cover in. Work your way around to the middle of the base cover and then to the bottom-left corner and snap the base cover into place.

  • Page 16: Removing The Battery

    ● If the battery gets stuck inside your computer as a result of swelling, do not try to release it as puncturing, bending, or crushing a lithium-ion battery can be dangerous. In such an instance, contact Dell technical support for assistance. See www.dell.com/contactdell.

  • Page 17: Installing The Battery

    Steps 1. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board, if it was not disconnected earlier. 2. Remove the four screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Remove the four screws (M2x3) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 18: Memory

    Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Adhere the tapes that secure the speaker cable to the battery. 3. Replace the four screws (M2x3) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
  • Page 19 Steps 1. Peel the bottom of the DDR jacket back to access the memory-module slot. 2. Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing-clips on each end of the memory-module slot until the memory module pops up. 3. Remove the DDR jacket from the memory module. 4.

  • Page 20: Installing The Memory

    Installing the memory Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the memory modules and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 21: Solid-State Drive

    5. Press the flaps of the DDR jacket back in place. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Solid-state drive Removing the solid-state drive 1 Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer.

  • Page 22: Installing The Solid-State Drive 1

    3. Slide and remove the solid-state drive 1 from the solid-state drive slot. NOTE: The size of the solid-state drive thermal bracket varies based on the storage type. A solid-state drive thermal bracket that is designed for an M.2 2280 drive cannot accommodate an M.2 2230 drive and vice versa. To use a M.2 2230 drive, an M.2 solid-state drive bracket must be used.

  • Page 23: Removing The Solid-State Drive 2

    3. Slide the solid-state drive thermal bracket under the peg on the system board. 4. Align the screw hole on the solid-state drive thermal bracket with the peg on the system board. NOTE: The size of the solid-state drive thermal bracket varies based on the storage type. A solid-state drive thermal bracket that is designed for an M.2 2280 drive cannot accommodate an M.2 2230 drive and vice versa.

  • Page 24: Installing The Solid-State Drive 2

    Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x2) that secures the solid-state drive thermal bracket and the solid-state drive 2 to the system board. 2. Slide the solid-state drive thermal bracket from the peg and lift it from the system board. 3. Slide and remove the solid-state drive 2 from the solid-state drive slot. NOTE: The size of the solid-state drive thermal bracket varies based on the storage type.
  • Page 25 About this task The following image indicates the location of the solid-state drive 2 and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive 2 with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2.

  • Page 26: Removing The M.2 2230 Solid-State Drive

    Removing the M.2 2230 solid-state drive About this task If you are replacing the M.2 2230 solid-state drive with an M.2 2280 solid-state drive, the following images indicate how to remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive from the M.2 2230 solid-state drive bracket. 1.

  • Page 27: Fans

    2. Secure the M.2 2230 solid-state drive to the M.2 solid-state drive bracket with a M2x2 screw. 3. To install the M.2 2230 solid-state drive card to the solid-state drive card slot 1, see installing the solid state drive 1. To install the M.2 2230 solid-state drive card to the solid-state drive card slot 2, see installing the solid state drive Fans...

  • Page 28: Installing The Left Fan

    Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the I/O-board FPC bracket to the left fan and the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Lift the I/O-board FPC bracket off the system board. 3. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the fan to the system board. 4.

  • Page 29: Removing The Right Fan

    About this task The following images indicate the location of the left fan and provide a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Slide the left fan below the heat sink and align the screw hole on fan with the screw hole on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

  • Page 30: Installing The Right Fan

    Steps 1. Peel the tape that secures the right-fan cable to the system board. 2. Disconnect the right-fan cable from the system board. 3. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the right fan to the system board and palm-rest and keyboard assembly. CAUTION: Do not hold the fan assembly at the center, as it may damage the center bearing.

  • Page 31: Heat Sink

    Steps 1. Connect the right-fan cable to the system board. 2. Slide fan below the heat sink and align the screw holes on the right fan with the screw holes on the system board and palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the right fan to the system board and palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
  • Page 32 NOTE: This is the heat sink for computers with discrete Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). NOTE: This is the heat sink for computers without discrete Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Steps 1. In reverse sequential order (as indicated on the heat sink), loosen the four captive screws that secure the heat sink to the system board.

  • Page 33: Installing The Heat Sink

    2. Lift the heat sink off the system board. Installing the heat sink Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. CAUTION: Incorrect alignment of the heat sink can damage the system board and processor. NOTE: If either the system board or the heat sink is replaced, use the thermal pad or thermal paste provided in the kit to ensure that thermal conductivity is achieved.

  • Page 34: Speakers

    NOTE: This is the heat sink for computers without discrete Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the heat sink with the screw holes on the system board. 2. In sequential order (as indicated on the heat sink), tighten the four captive screws that secure the heat sink to the system board.

  • Page 35: Installing The Speakers

    Steps 1. Peel the tape, and disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Peel the tapes that secure the speaker cable to the battery. 3. Remove the two screws (M2x2) that secure the speakers to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 36: I/O Board

    Steps 1. Using the alignment posts and rubber grommets, place the speakers on the slots of the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Route the speaker cable through the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Adhere the tapes that secure the speaker cable to the battery. 4.

  • Page 37: Installing The I/O Board

    Steps 1. Disconnect the I/O-board cable from the system board and I/O board, then lift the I/O-board cable from the system board. 2. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the USB Type-C port bracket to the system board and lift the bracket off the I/O board.
  • Page 38 Steps 1. Place the I/O board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Connect the screw (M2x4) that secures the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Align the screw hole on the USB Type-C port bracket with the screw hole on the system board. 4.

  • Page 39: Display Assembly

    Display assembly Removing the display assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following images indicate the location of the display assembly cable and display-assembly hinges and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure.
  • Page 40 Removing and installing components...

  • Page 41: Installing The Display Assembly

    Steps 1. Loosen the three captive screws that secure the display-assembly cable bracket to the system board. 2. Lift the display-assembly cable bracket off the system board. 3. Remove the two screws (M1.6x3) that secure the display-assembly cable holder to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
  • Page 42 Removing and installing components...
  • Page 43 Steps 1. Slide the palm-rest and keyboard assembly under the display-assembly hinges. 2. Align the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly with the screw holes on the right and left display-assembly hinges. 3. Replace the four screws (M2.5x5.5) that secure the left hinge to the system board and the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

  • Page 44: System Board

    System board Removing the system board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. NOTE: Before disconnecting the cables from the system board, note the location of the connectors so that you can reconnect the cables correctly after you replace the system board. NOTE: The Service Tag of your computer is stored in the system board.
  • Page 45 Removing and installing components...
  • Page 46 Steps 1. Loosen the three captive screws that secure the camera and display-assembly cable bracket in place. 2. Lift the camera and display-assembly cable bracket off the system board. 3. Remove the two screws (M1.6x3) that secure the display-assembly cable holder to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 47: Installing The System Board

    6. Using a plastic scribe, disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. Unthread them from the clips on the system board. 7. Open the latch, and disconnect the fingerprint reader-board cable from the system board. 8. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 9.
  • Page 48 Figure 2. System-board connectors 1. Fingerprint reader-board cable 2. Antenna cables 3. Keyboard control-board cable The following images indicate the location of the system board and provide a visual representation of the installation procedure. Removing and installing components...
  • Page 49 Removing and installing components...
  • Page 50 Steps 1. Hold the system board firmly at the top and bottom portions of the system board. CAUTION: DO NOT hold the system board at the sides on the left and right as it will damage the system board. 2. Place the system board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.

  • Page 51: Led Board

    10. Replace the screw (M2x4) that secures the right Type-C bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 11. Connect the fingerprint reader-board cable to the system board and close the latch to secure the cable. 12. Connect the right speaker cable to the system board. 13.

  • Page 52: Installing The Led Board

    Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the LED board cable from the system board. 2. Peel off the LED-board cable from the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Note the LED board routing, and remove the LED board from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 53: Palm-Rest And Keyboard Assembly

    Steps 1. Place the LED board on the system board following the routing guide on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Adhere the LED-board cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the LED-board cable to the system board and close the latch to secure the cable. Next steps 1.

  • Page 54: Installing The Palm-Rest And Keyboard Assembly

    13. Remove the system board. About this task After performing all the pre-requisites, you are left with the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. After performing the steps in the pre-requisites, you are left with the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
  • Page 55 Steps Place the palm-rest and keyboard assembly on a flat surface. Next steps 1. Install the system board. 2. Install the display assembly. 3. Install the I/O daughter board. 4. Install the left fan. 5. Install the right fan. 6. Install the heat sink.

  • Page 56: Chapter 3: Drivers And Downloads

    Drivers and downloads When troubleshooting, downloading or installing drivers it is recommended that you read the Dell Knowledge Based article, Drivers and Downloads FAQ 000123347. Drivers and downloads...

  • Page 57: Chapter 4: System Setup

    Boot Sequence allows you to bypass the System Setup–defined boot device order and boot directly to a specific device (for example: optical drive or hard drive). During the Power-on Self Test (POST), when the Dell logo appears, you can: ● Access System Setup by pressing F2 key...

  • Page 58: One Time Boot Menu

    NOTE: Depending on your system and its installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not appear. Table 3. System setup options—System information menu Overview XPS 15 9520 BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version number. Service Tag Displays the Service Tag of the system.
  • Page 59 Table 3. System setup options—System information menu (continued) Overview AC Adapter Displays whether the AC adapter is connected or not. Processor Information Processor Type Displays the processor type. Maximum Clock Speed Displays the maximum processor clock speed. Minimum Clock Speed Displays the minimum processor clock speed.
  • Page 60 Table 4. System setup options—Boot Configuration menu (continued) Boot Configuration Secure Boot Enable Secure Boot Enable or disable the secure boot feature when the system is in UEFI boot mode. By default, the option is disabled. Enable Microsoft UEFI CA Enable or disable Microsoft UEFI CA feature.
  • Page 61 Table 5. System setup options—Integrated Devices menu (continued) Integrated Devices Type-C Dock Override Enables to use connected Type-C Dell Dock to provide data stream with external USB ports disabled. When Type-C Dock override is enabled, the Video/Audio/Lan submenu is activated.
  • Page 62 By default, the Optimized option is enabled. USB Wake Support Wake on Dell USB-C Dock When enabled, connecting a Dell USB-C Dock will wake the system from standby. By default, the option is enabled. Block Sleep Enables to block entering sleep (S3) mode in the operating system.
  • Page 63 Table 9. System setup options—Power menu (continued) Power Lid Switch Enable Lid Switch Enable or disable the lid switch. By default, the option is enabled. Power On Lid Open When enabled, system is powered up from the off state when the lid is opened. By default, the option is enabled.
  • Page 64 Table 10. System setup options—Security menu (continued) Security UEFI Boot Path Security Controls whether or not the system will prompt the user to enter the admin password (if set) when booting to a UEFI boot device from the F12 boot menu. By default, the Always Except Internal HDD option is enabled.
  • Page 65 Table 11. System setup options—Passwords menu (continued) Passwords Enable Allow Non-Admin PSID Revert Controls access to the Physical Security ID (PSID) revert of NVMe hard-drives from the Dell Security Manager prompt. By default, the option is disabled. Table 12. System setup options—Update, Recovery menu Update, Recovery...
  • Page 66 By default, the option Restrict Preboot Accessis enabled. Diagnostics OS Agent Requests Enables Dell OS Agent to schedule onboard diagnostics on a subsequent boot. By default, the option is enabled. Power-on Self-Test Autonomic Enable or disable Power-on Self-Test Autonomic Recovery feature.
  • Page 67 Table 15. System setup options—Pre-boot Behavior menu (continued) Pre-boot Behavior Extend BIOS POST Time Set the BIOS POST time. By default, the 0 seconds option is enabled. MAC Address Pass-Through Replaces the external NIC MAC address with the selected MAC address from the system.

  • Page 68: System And Setup Password

    Table 17. System setup options—Performance menu (continued) Performance By default, the option is enabled. Intel TurbocBoost Technology Enable Intel Turbo Boost Technology Enable or disable Intel TurboBoost mode of the processor. By default, the option is enabled. Intel Hyper-Threading Technology Enable Intel Hyper-Threading Technology Enable or disable Hyper-Threading in the processor.

  • Page 69: Deleting Or Changing An Existing System Setup Password

    Steps 1. In the System BIOS or System Setup screen, select Security and press Enter. The Security screen is displayed. 2. Select System/Admin Password and create a password in the Enter the new password field. Use the following guidelines to assign the system password: ●...

  • Page 70: Clearing Bios (System Setup) And System Passwords

    Clearing BIOS (System Setup) and System passwords About this task To clear the system or BIOS passwords, contact Dell technical support as described at www.dell.com/contactdell. NOTE: For information on how to reset Windows or application passwords, refer to the documentation accompanying Windows or your application.
  • Page 71 Most of the Dell computers built after 2012 have this capability, and you can confirm by booting your computer to the F12 One-Time Boot Menu to see if BIOS FLASH UPDATE is listed as a boot option for your computer. If the option is listed, then the BIOS supports this BIOS update option.

  • Page 72: Chapter 5: Troubleshooting

    ● Using a non-Dell or incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell that is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.

  • Page 73: System Diagnostic Lights

    System diagnostic lights Battery-status light Indicates the power and battery-charge status. Solid white — Power adapter is connected and the battery has more than 5 percent charge. Amber — Computer is running on battery and the battery has less than 5 percent charge. ●...

  • Page 74: Supportassist Diagnostics

    ● Solid white — Caps Lock enabled. ● Off — Caps Lock disabled. SupportAssist diagnostics About this task The SupportAssist diagnostics (previously known as ePSA diagnostics) performs a complete check of your hardware. The SupportAssist diagnostics is embedded in the BIOS and is launched by it internally. The SupportAssist diagnostics provides a set of options for particular devices or device groups.

  • Page 75: Lcd Built-In Self Test (Bist)

    It enables you to diagnose hardware issues, repair your computer, back up your files, or restore your computer to its factory state. You can also download it from the Dell Support website to troubleshoot and fix your computer when it fails to boot into their primary operating system due to software or hardware failures.

  • Page 76: Drain Residual Flea Power (Perform Hard Reset)

    Backup media and recovery options It is recommended to create a recovery drive to troubleshoot and fix problems that may occur with Windows. Dell proposes multiple options for recovering Windows operating system on your Dell PC. For more information. see...
  • Page 77 NOTE: The IT administrator's vPro account and password on the system will be un-provisioned. The system needs to go through the setup and configuration process again to reconnect it to the vPro server. The below items may or may not reset based on your custom BIOS setting selections: ●...

  • Page 78: Chapter 6: Getting Help And Contacting Dell

    Getting help and contacting Dell Self-help resources You can get information and help on Dell products and services using these self-help resources: Table 22. Self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com My Dell app...

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