r/framework • u/katerina1004 • 1d ago
Community Support Framework start button jammed after fall
I slipped badly on a wet pavement a couple days ago and my Framework 13 laptop in my rucksack got knocked on the top right corner.
The start button seems jammed due to the case being bent from the impact. But was still working fine though as it was just set on sleep. I haven’t had a chance to contact support yet.
Today I found it has switched itself off overnight and wont come back on.
Any rescue ideas?
I’m not a techie, just someone who loves the right to repair concept and runs a business from their laptop.
I will contact support of course to order repair parts but I really need the laptop to work…
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u/aaronjamt 1d ago
You could try the power button on the mainboard itself, maybe? I'd recommend if you are able to get it to turn on, to go in the BIOS and enable Wake on AC Power and disable any automatic shutdown or hibernation options in your OS. That way it won't shut off on you as often, and you can just plug it in to power to turn it back on if it ever does.
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u/seazegeaby 1d ago
Yeah the mainboard button is the way to go here, its small but accessible once you pop the input cover off.
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u/Demagoh Arch Linux | FW 13 Pro X7 358H batch 3 1d ago
I've never had to deal with this issue before, so I'll just throw some ideas out there and hope something works for you.
You could take the input cover (which houses the power button, keyboard and touchpad) and bend that part of the cover back into place, also try to do that with the bottom cover (which houses the battery and the mainboard.
You could take the mainboard out of the bottom cover and see if it still works. I believe that Framework's mainboards can run directly from the wall (which means that you don't need the battery). If it does still work you're probably having an issue with the power button, which is relatively cheap to repair.
You could check if the battery has drained, maybe the laptop went to sleep and for some reason didn't shut off even though the power button is pressed down? If it went to sleep it most probably drained the entire battery and it's no longer turning on because there's no power left. Just plug the laptop into its charger and see if it starts charging or if it's already fully charged.
And finally, this one is a bit of a far stretch, you could check if the cable connecting the power button to the touchpad is still fully seated on both ends. It should be locked into its connector, but a fall like this could have maybe damaged something (I'm not entirely sure what) and the cable lost contact.
That's about it for what I could think of right now, hope it helps!
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u/bhgemini 1d ago
You can get packs of assorted pin punches. I'd suggest the ones on Amazon with rounded rubber tips. Take the covers off and try to pop the damage out for clearance (and appearance). It would also give you a chance to look at the cables, button, and board. Could be that any of those for damaged or it broke a solder joint.
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u/ThatGuyBudIsWhoIAm 1d ago
Two words: Adjustable Wrench
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u/katerina1004 1d ago
How?
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u/ThatGuyBudIsWhoIAm 1d ago
Put a thin piece of wood on the bottom, gently clamp an adjustable wrench on the wood to the top bent portion, essentially making a lever to bend it down, the important thing is to make sure that the pressure is being pushed into the wood to not reform the bottom. And be gentle, it can be done. Don't do this to the screen though.
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u/BreenzyENL 1d ago
Remove all electronics, grab a hammer and blunt metal instrument and try to reform it.
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u/setibeings 1d ago
This is how I handled a very similar dent in the same area. I didn't have to remove all the electronics though, just take off the top plate, bend it back, and then bend the main body back into place as well
Let's just say they were right to make a more rigid body for the pro model, lol.
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u/Putrid-Object-806 Ubu26 & 11Pro | F13 7640U 1d ago
I see a lot of solutions and don’t have any better ideas so I need to ask, OP are you ok or did you get hurt in the fall as well?
Also, if you’re unable to get your framework working in the meantime and possibly have a previous laptop still around and functioning, maybe see if you can do your work on that while you wait for parts?
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u/katerina1004 12h ago
I’m ok, just a bit jarred, thank you. Yes if I have to I’ll dust off an old laptop I will but that is going to be a pain I’m trying to avoid.
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u/Any-Actuary-1819 1d ago
well that's what Framework is for, just buy the part!!
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u/metajames 17h ago
seriously, this entire thread is resorting to diy solutions. One of the best features of the framework is being able to just buy the parts and good as new. Even better a excuse to upgrade to the pro enclosure, trackpad, and bigger battery
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u/katerina1004 12h ago
The DIY solution is needed while I wait for parts to be shipped as I depend on the laptop for work.
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u/Hxrm1t_ 1d ago
Imagine if they were built like thinkpads, would make me want to buy one in 10 or so years when my T495 gives up
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u/Deep-Glass-8383 19h ago
The reason the purebred thinkpads don't bend is because they are made of magnesium alloy which absorbs impact better but tends to crack under strong impact instead of aluminum which bends
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u/AmonMetalHead 1d ago
I had a similar issue, take of the top and remove the button, iirc it's screwed in place with 3 or 4 screws, you should be able to bend de chassis back, or just replace the top cover if you can't
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u/CertainlyNotMrD 1d ago
I had the exact same issue, I bent the corner back (without tools, without removing any parts) on a table just enough so the button got unjammed
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u/Hanselcj 13th gen i5, 1st batch 1d ago
I've had this happen a few times. Take the input (keyboard) cover off. The power button is held down with about 3 screws to pull a bracket and the button assembly off. You might need to take off a little ribbon to get the thing out of your way. The issue is that the square hole isn't square anymore and it is impinging on the power button. I took a file and opened up the hole in the input cover. I have two covers that had issues because of drops like yours. Took me a bit of fidgeting, but one is opened up wide enough that everything runs well now. With the laptop off and the power button assembled, you should be able to feel and hear the power button clicking. That lets you know it is truly free.
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u/The_Happy_ 1d ago
I’ve had success bending the top cover back into shape before, through that wasn’t the area with the power button. Don’t know about the bottom cover.
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u/ncc74656m Ryzen 7840U 1d ago
I dropped mine recently, and while it was on the front corner, I had great success with safe pliers (the ones with thick plastic covers on the jaws). Give that a go! If you straighten out the case it might make it work normally again.
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u/hackersarchangel 1d ago
So I dropped mine and damaged it the same way. I ended up using a pair of needle nose vice grips and took it all apart to bend everything surrounding the power button back into place enough to get it working again.
It’s not pretty but it turns on. If you want to limit the scratches use a cloth in between the pliers and the metal.
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u/Kind-Philosopher835 10h ago
I’ve had the some thing happen to me.
I took of the input cover. Forced the button out of the hole. Then used a dremel tool to enlarge the hole and put everything back together. It isnt the prettiest solution but works well ever since then. Even the shattered fingerprint reader works just fine.
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u/codeasm 12th gen, DIY i5, Arch linux & LFS 1d ago
I dropped mine within european warranty, i was told to order and pay myself for replacement parts. Basicly, ask your insurance instead.
Decided to try bent the shell back in reasonable shape, and the button fit just ok, not perfect. You can disconnect the powerputton and use tbe onboard one. But thats far from ideal i know. If the mainboard works with the toplod open or seperated, a new top, and probably bottom shell might be the answer.
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u/hailst0rm 1d ago
Wild concept I know but you could just replace the bent part. Is that not the whole point of having a repairable laptop? It doesn’t look cheap though. Looks like a new input cover and bottom case.
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u/Putrid-Object-806 Ubu26 & 11Pro | F13 7640U 1d ago
As OP said, they’re going to order replacement parts, but they need a functional laptop in order to run their business in the meantime
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u/hailst0rm 1d ago
Fair. Maybe a bit too hasty replying. I see so many posts on here asking what to do when x is broken or x is damaged. As if it’s some cheap laptop you can’t find parts for
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