M.2 SSD Removal and Installation

Tools required: Small Philips head screwdriver.

WARNING Before handling any internal components of your PC, ensure the PC is off & disconnected from wall power.
NEVER open the power supply unit; internal capacitors may hold hazardous levels of charge long after power is disconnected.
NEVER attempt to handle or move internal components while the PC is running.
Tip: Laying the PC down flat on its side on a clean surface is the easiest and safest way to work inside your PC to prevent components from slipping or falling.

Understanding M.2 slots & heatsinks

Modern motherboards usually feature 1 to 4 M.2 NVMe slots. Before starting:

• Motherboard heatsinks: Many motherboards include metal heatsink covers over the main M.2 slot(s). You will need to unscrew these covers first to access the slot underneath.
• M.2 screws vs. toolless latches:
  • Standard Screws: Most motherboards use a tiny M.2 retaining screw that holds the drive down against a standoff attached to the motherboard.
  • EZ-Latch / Q-Latch: Many newer motherboards feature plastic rotating latches or push-clips instead of tiny screws.

Removing an M.2 SSD

1. Disconnect power: Turn off your PC, switch the PSU switch to OFF (O), and unplug the power cable from the PSU.
2. Access the slot: Remove your case side panel. If your M.2 drive is hidden beneath a graphics card or motherboard metal heatsink cover:
   • Remove the graphics card if necessary (refer to our Graphics Card Removal Guide).
   • Unscrew the metal M.2 heatsink cover and set it aside.
3. Release the drive:
   • If secured by screw: Carefully unscrew the tiny M.2 screw counter-clockwise and set it somewhere safe.
   • If secured by toolless latch: Rotate the plastic latch tab 90 degrees until it unlocks from the notch on the tail of the drive.
   • If secured with a push-clip: Push down gently on the clip mechanism.
4. Remove the SSD: Once released, the drive will spring up naturally at a 30-degree angle. Gently grip the edges of the SSD and pull it backwards & straight out of the slot.

Installing an M.2 SSD

1. Locate the intended slot for installation: Refer to your motherboard manual to identify the optimal M.2 slot (typically the top slot [closest to the CPU] for fastest Gen4/Gen5 PCIe speeds).
2. Check the standoff: Ensure a M.2 standoff is pre-installed in the motherboard mounting hole that matches your drive size (standard consumer SSDs are size 2280). Some solutions will come with a screw to affix it, some with a toolless latch, and some with a push-clip. Ensure you know which you're working with before proceeding.
3. Insert the M.2 SSD:
   • Align the notch on the golden contacts of the M.2 drive with the key in the motherboard slot.
   • Hold the drive at a 30-degree angle and insert it firmly into the slot until the contacts are fully seated.
4. Secure the Drive:
   • Push the flat end of the drive down gently so it rests flat against the standoff.
   • Secure it using either the tiny M.2 screw (tighten gently until snug; do not overtighten) or by swinging the toolless latch back over the edge of the drive, or pushing gently into the push-clip until secured.
5. Reinstall thermal pads & heatsink (if applicable):
   • If your motherboard uses a metal heatsink cover, peel off the protective blue/transparent plastic film from the underside of the pre-applied thermal pad before screwing the heatsink back into place.

Important Tips & Troubleshooting

[CRITICAL NOTE] Peel the thermal pad film off!

If your motherboard heatsink has a thermal pad on the underside, leaving the protective plastic peel-off film intact will act as an insulator and cause your M.2 drive to overheat under load.

• Drive not detected in Windows? Brand new empty SSDs need to be initialised in Windows before showing up in File Explorer. Initialising new storage drives
• PCIe speeds: Ensure your drive is inserted into a slot supported by your CPU generation to achieve maximum advertised read/write speeds. If your CPU doesn't match the requirements for enabling the motherboard's M.2 slot, it will not work at all. Similarly, if you slot a higher generation M.2 drive into a lower generation M.2 slot, you will not be able to get the full speeds, but generally it will work just fine at the lower generation's speed, much like USB ports.