How to replace the Right Thermal Fan on a XPS 16 DA16260

Published April 24, 2026

This 3D experience gives you the step by step process of replacing the Right Thermal Fan and a XPS 16 DA16260.

Palm rest and Keyboard Assembly

Identify the palm rest and keyboard assembly highlighted in blue.
Using the Torx 5H, remove the screws that secure the base cover to the palm rest and keyboard assembly.
Open the display, position the computer on its side, release the palm rest assembly using a plastic scribe and then place the system on a flat surface.
Insert the plastic scribe near the hinge and loosen the palm rest and keyboard assembly.
Lift and turn over the palm rest and keyboard assembly and place it on a flat surface.
Using the pull tab, disconnect the battery cable from the system board.
Using the pull tab, disconnect the MCU cable from the connector on the system board.
Remove the palm rest and keyboard assembly.

Right Thermal Fan

Identify the right thermal fan highlighted in blue.
Remove the screws that secure the right thermal fan to the base cover.
Lift the latch and disconnect the right thermal fan cable from the system board.
Slide and remove the right thermal fan from the base cover.

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Right Thermal Fan

Palm rest and Keyboard Assembly

Identify the palm rest and keyboard assembly location highlighted in blue.
Place the palm rest and keyboard assembly in front of the base cover.
Connect the MCU cable to the system board.
Connect the battery cable to the system board.
Flip the palm rest and keyboard assembly towards the base cover.
Align and snap the palm rest and keyboard assembly into position on the base cover.
Close the display and place the system as shown in the video.
Using the Torx 5H, install the screws that secure the base cover to the palm rest and keyboard assembly.