How to Replace Camera/Microphone Module on Lenovo ThinkPad T460

Introduction

Step 1: Follow this guide to replace the camera/microphone module in your Lenovo ThinkPad T460 laptop.
The built-in webcam, also known as the laptop camera, captures real-time videos and images for your computer. If you see error messages saying the camera is not enabled or cannot be found, or if the camera light is on but the camera doesn't work, your webcam might be faulty. Physical damage, like cracks, also means it might need replacing.
The built-in microphone is integrated with the webcam. If your microphone volume is too low or not audible, it could be faulty too. There are known issues with microphones and webcams on Windows 10, which might be resolved with troubleshooting guides.
Before you start replacing the camera/microphone module, make sure to disable the internal battery, power down your device, and disconnect it from any external power sources.

Step 1: External Battery

Before starting, disable the internal battery, power down your device, and disconnect from any external power sources.
Place the laptop with the bottom facing up. Slide the latch on the left side of the battery to the left until it clicks into place.

Step 2: Removing the Battery

Slide the latch on the right side of the battery to the right and hold it with your thumb. With your other hand, slide the battery towards the back of the laptop. Then, lift the battery up and away from the laptop.

Step 3: Removing the Bottom Cover

Use a screwdriver to loosen the eight captive screws on the bottom cover.

Step 4: Detaching the Bottom Cover

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the bottom cover and the rest of the laptop, starting from the lower left corner. Gently pry the lower left corner of the bottom cover up by a few millimeters. Then, slide the spudger along the bottom edge of the laptop to release the clips, moving towards the lower right corner. You might hear some snapping sounds as the clips come loose.

Step 5: Releasing the Clips

Slide the spudger along the right and top edges of the bottom cover to release the clips. You might hear some snapping sounds as the clips come free.
Be careful: If the clips don't release easily, make sure the captive screws are fully loosened. Forcing them can crack the bottom cover.

Step 6: Lifting the Upper Left Corner

Use the spudger to gently pry up the upper left corner of the bottom cover by a few millimeters. Carefully lift the sections of the cover that have printed logos of the ports.
Be cautious: Avoid prying near or inside the ports as this can damage your laptop. Only lift the parts of the cover that extend beyond the ports.

Step 7: Lifting the Bottom Cover in the Battery Compartment

Use the spudger to gently pry up the bottom cover in the lower part of the external battery compartment by a few millimeters.

Step 8: Removing the Bottom Cover

Using both hands, lift the bottom cover up and away from the laptop.

Step 9: LCD Assembly

Using a screwdriver, remove the two 3.7 mm screws from the LCD cable bracket.

Step 10: Removing the LCD Cable Bracket

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully lift the LCD cable bracket away from the motherboard.

Step 11: Disconnecting the LCD Cable

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently disconnect the flat-topped LCD cable connector.

Step 12: Removing the Cable

Use your fingers to carefully take the cable out of its slots.

Step 13: Lifting the Metal Clip

Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently lift up the metal clip on the camera/microphone cable.

Step 14: Detaching the Camera/Microphone Cable

Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully detach the camera/microphone cable connector from its socket.

Step 15: Disconnecting the Coaxial Cables

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the black and gray coaxial cables from the Wi-Fi card. When putting everything back together, remember to attach the gray wire on top and the black wire on the bottom.

Step 16: Handling the Coaxial Cables

If your laptop has a WWAN card, use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the red and blue coaxial cables. If there’s no WWAN card, simply remove the tape that’s holding the red and blue coaxial cables in place.

Step 17: Removing the Coaxial Cables

Use your fingers to carefully take the gray and red coaxial cables out of their slots on the motherboard.

Step 18: Removing the Top Coaxial Cables

Use your fingers to carefully remove the blue and black coaxial cables from their slots along the top of the motherboard.

Step 19: Removing the Hinges

Use a screwdriver to take out the four 4.7 mm screws from the hinges.

Step 20: Adjusting the Hinges

Lift the bottom of the laptop a few inches to rotate the two upper hinges. Then, place the bottom of the laptop back down.

Step 21: Lifting the Bottom of the Laptop

Using both hands, lift the bottom of the laptop away from the LCD assembly.

Step 22: Removing the LCD Bezel

Start by using your hands to peel up the thin LCD bezel sheet from the display, beginning in the area between the hinges. Continue peeling the bezel sheet away from the left side of the laptop.

Step 23: Removing the LCD Bezel Completely

Continue peeling the bezel sheet away from the bottom and right sides of the laptop using your hands. Once it's loose, lift the LCD bezel sheet up and away from the laptop with both hands. When putting everything back together, you might need to reapply adhesive under the LCD bezel sheet.

Step 24: Unscrewing the LCD Bezel

Use a screwdriver to remove the four 3.3 mm screws from the LCD bezel.

Step 25: Detaching the LCD Bezel

Use the flat end of a spudger to create a gap between the bezel and the display, starting at the upper left corner. Work your way around the left side, bottom, and right side of the laptop to release the clips holding the bezel to the display. You might hear loud snapping sounds as the clips come loose, which is perfectly normal.

Step 26: Removing the Bezel

Using both hands, carefully lift the bezel up and away from the display assembly.

Step 27: Handling the LCD Panel

Use both hands to lift the bottom corners of the display panel and gently flip it over.
Be careful: The display cable is still connected, so handle the display panel with caution to avoid any damage.

Step 28: Unsecuring the Connector

Use the pointed end of a spudger to carefully lift up the metal bar that’s securing the connector.

Step 29: Disconnecting the Display Cable

Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully disconnect the display cable from its socket.

Step 30: Removing the Display Panel

Use your hands to carefully lift the display panel away from the rest of the display assembly.

Step 31: Disconnecting the Camera/Microphone Module

Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully disconnect the cable from the camera/microphone module.

Step 32: Lifting the Camera/Microphone Module

Slide the flat end of a spudger underneath the camera/microphone module.

Step 33: Removing the Camera/Microphone Module

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry up the camera/microphone module. Then, use your fingers to carefully lift it out of the laptop.