Mac Mini Late 2012 Fan Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

                          10 - 20 minutes

Sections

Bottom Cover
2 steps
Fan
3 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Bottom Cover

Place your thumbs in the depressions cut into the bottom cover.
Rotate the bottom cover counter-clockwise until the white dot painted on the bottom cover is aligned with the ring inscribed on the outer case.
You do not need to apply much downward pressure while turning.

Place your thumbs in the depressions cut into the bottom cover.

Rotate the bottom cover counter-clockwise until the white dot painted on the bottom cover is aligned with the ring inscribed on the outer case.

You do not need to apply much downward pressure while turning.

1024

Step 2

Tilt the mini enough to allow the bottom cover to fall away from the outer case.
Remove the bottom cover and set it aside.

Tilt the mini enough to allow the bottom cover to fall away from the outer case.

Remove the bottom cover and set it aside.

Step 3

Fan

Remove the two 11.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the fan to the logic board near the antenna plate.

Remove the two 11.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the fan to the logic board near the antenna plate.

Step 4

Lift the ear of the fan nearest the RAM up off the standoff secured to the outer case.
Removing the standoff screw is not necessary to remove the fan. You need only raise the fan enough to lift it off the standoff screw.

Lift the ear of the fan nearest the RAM up off the standoff secured to the outer case.

Removing the standoff screw is not necessary to remove the fan. You need only raise the fan enough to lift it off the standoff screw.

Step 5

Lift the fan out of the mini for enough clearance to access its connector.
Grab all the wires at once and gently pull straight up to disconnect the fan from the logic board.
Do not pry at the socket, or you may rip it from the logic board.
Remove the fan.

Lift the fan out of the mini for enough clearance to access its connector.

Grab all the wires at once and gently pull straight up to disconnect the fan from the logic board.

Do not pry at the socket, or you may rip it from the logic board.

Remove the fan.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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Author

                                      with 4 other contributors

                    Andrew Optimus Goldheart

Member since: 10/17/2009

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Reginald O’Brikis - Apr 26, 2019

If you shouls happen to rip the connector off the logic board, just replace the end of the connector wire with a usb plug and the connect it to the computer, Vola

Snowleop20 - Jan 12, 2022

What or where does the spring go on the long torque screw?

on the logic board, or the inner bevels on the screw?

pvpeel - Jun 26, 2022

where does the mini get input cooling air?? I can see the output ports but don’t see any path for inputting cool air.

thanks..

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team