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Introduction

The WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) card is used to connect a laptop to mobile data via a cellular connection.

In this guide, you will learn how to replace or install a WWAN card in your Dell Latitude 5490 laptop.

The WWAN card is used to connect your laptop to mobile data via a cellular connection. This is important to have if you want access to the internet without available Wi-Fi. If your Dell Latitude 5490 laptop is unable to access the internet without Wi-Fi, you may need to replace or install the WWAN card. Replacing the WWAN card will give your laptop access to the internet without an available Wi-Fi connection.

What you need

Step 1 Removing Back Panel and Disconnecting Battery

Dell Latitude 5490 WWAN (Cellular Card) Replacement, Removing Back Panel and Disconnecting Battery: step 1, image 1 of 3

Dell Latitude 5490 WWAN (Cellular Card) Replacement, Removing Back Panel and Disconnecting Battery: step 1, image 2 of 3

Dell Latitude 5490 WWAN (Cellular Card) Replacement, Removing Back Panel and Disconnecting Battery: step 1, image 3 of 3

Power off the laptop before beginning the disassembly process.
Close the device and flip the laptop over so the backplate is facing up.

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Step 2

Using a Phillips #0 Screwdriver, loosen all eight captive screws in the backplate.
You do not need to fully remove the screws. Instead, unscrew them until you can easily jostle the screws.

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Step 3

Using the spudger, pry the backplate from the laptop starting from external chassis (the back side of the laptop).
Continue prying in a clockwise direction around the backplate until it is able to be removed with just your hands.
Remove the backplate and put it aside for reassembly.

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Step 4

Using your finger, remove the battery connector using the handle found on top.
You do not need to remove the connector completely from the laptop. Doing so may result in damage to your computer. Instead, pull the handle so the connector is suspended above the pins.

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Step 5

Hold down the power button for 15 seconds to discharge the remaining electricity within the laptop.

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Step 6 WWAN (Cellular Card)

Dell Latitude 5490 WWAN (Cellular Card) Replacement, WWAN (Cellular Card): step 6, image 1 of 1

Remove the 4 mm screw holding the bracket above the WWAN card with a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Be careful with the antenna connectors located under the bracket. They are fragile. If damaged, you will not be able to access mobile data.

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Step 7

Dell Latitude 5490 WWAN (Cellular Card) Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

Carefully remove both antenna connectors. Ensure that you pull the antenna connectors straight up from the socket.
Using angled tweezers, hook one end of the tweezer under the connector. Set the other side at the end of the connector on the WWAN card. Keeping the tweezers flat, lightly squeeze.
These connectors are extremely fragile; ensure that they are aligned properly.
For reassembly, ensure that the antenna connectors are aligned above the sockets and press down gently. There should be a slight click. There should not be much resistance.

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Step 8

Carefully slide the WWAN card out from the rear side, from the end where the antennas and bracket were.
The WWAN card should come out easily with no tension.

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