Vostro 5401 Broken Hinges

That is not cool.  I have some experience with a similar chassis (if not nearly identical) in the form of two Vostro 5502's.  Upon purchase and unboxing I noted that the hinges were quite stiff.  Upon lifting the screen from the center edge I observed the screen/clam shell bending at the center where I was pulling on it.  Since the clam shell is aluminum I was concerned about it bending.  It was immediately obvious that if I wanted these machines to live a reasonable service life we would have to lift the screen with two hands, from the sides.  My question for you is how have you been opening the screen?  One hand at the center edge of the screen or two hands, one on each side of the screen?  The screen/clam shell assembly is quite thin and can flex quite a bit.  Opening it with one hand from the center front edge will apply a moment that is not in-plane with the hinge pins, resulting in a twisting force where the hinges attach to the screen clam shell and laptop base chassis.  Yes, Dell should have made the hinge attachment points beefier but this is what we got.  The good news is these machines are quite serviceable.  I've already upgraded the screen on one of our 5502's so I am familiar with how the panel is double-sided taped to the clam shell.  If you are willing to attempt the repair yourself please respond to this post and I can provide some useful information. If you are not a handy type person then you may be paying Dell for repairs.  Sorry to hear that this happened to your 5401.  Both the 54xx and 55xx are great machines.

-Ray

As a business we have an entire suite of Vostro laptops. We have returned 2 so far for exactly that reason which were in warranty. Dell repaired them, it's clearly a manufacturing fault. Usually happens about 9-12 months in. The part time employees funnily enough take a little longer to break, but same pattern.

I have they same issue and its is broken it's self not even fall of anything

1st Solution

                    Dismantle all the casing of this laptop. You will find the hinges' screws are extracted. First clean the place where screws get tied. Then use cigarette's filter and mix some Depoxy Glue with it and make the walls  portion of bolts then keep it for 48hours for getting dry and than assemble the whole laptop. Hope you get it proper.

2nd solution 

                    If your problem is still as it was, then use some long screws through its casing (i.e cross the casing) . 2nd solution will seems a little awkward but we case place magic of black color or any sticker upon that at last .

 You can get pictures of these solutions at<Private data removed from public view. DELL-Admin>

I also have exactly same problem. My problem also started immediately qaafter the warranty period expired