Dell Vostro 3510 Wi-Fi Card Replacement - iFixit Repair Guide

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Introduction

This guide will show you how to replace the Wi-Fi Card on a Dell Vostro 3510 computer.

The Wi-Fi Card is the part of your computer that allows it to connect to wireless networks.

You may need to replace the Wi-Fi card if it is damaged or has failed, if you want to upgrade for faster speed or better range, or if you have a compatibility issue.

Note: You don’t need to remove the battery to complete this repair, but be sure to disconnect the battery connector from the motherboard.

Before you begin, power off the laptop and disconnect it from the charging adapter and any peripherals.

What you need

1. Step 1 Battery
  Ensure the laptop is powered off.
  
  Flip the laptop over.
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2. Step 2
  Tool used on this step:
  Magnetic Project Mat
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  Use a Phillips #0 screwdriver to remove the screws highlighted with red circles.
  
  Loosen the two 1 mm captive screws (orange circles in the image) on the back corners of the bottom cover.
  
  Keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your laptop.
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3. Step 3
  Open up the back cover of the laptop.
  
  It is much easier to open up the laptop with any type of spudger or with Jimmy.
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4. Step 4
  Remove the battery cable from the motherboard by lightly pulling on the black tape attached to the ribbon cable.
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6. Step 5
  Use a Phillips #0 screwdriver to remove the three battery screws.
  
  Carefully move the additional sata storage ribbon cable to the side.
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7. Step 6
  Gently remove the battery from the laptop.
  
  Be careful with the other ribbon cables.
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1. Step 7 Wi-Fi Card
  The Wi-Fi Card is located to the left of the RAM and to the right of the CPU Fan.
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2. Step 8
  Use a Phillips #000 screwdriver to remove the single 3 mm screw securing the Wi-Fi card to the board.
  
  Remove the silver bracket.
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3. Step 9
  Slide a thin, ESD-safe pry tool or angled tweezers under the metal neck of the connector (as close to the head as possible) and lift straight up from the board.
  
  When working with these connectors, it's key to always lift the head straight up. If pried on at an odd angle, you risk breaking the socket off of the board underneath.
  
  Reconnecting these can be tricky. Use tweezers to hold the connector in place over its socket and gently press down with your finger or a spudger—the connector should "snap" into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the head and try again.
  
  Connect the cables to the correct terminals on the Wi-Fi card, using the black and white symbols as a guide.
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4. Step 10
  Gently slide the Wi-Fi card out of its socket.
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Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

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Jordan Douglass

Member since: 09/23/25

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