Where is the hard drive located in an ASUS laptop: instructions for finding and replacing

You bought a new one SSD and want to install it instead of the old one hard drive in a laptop ASUS, but don't know where it is located? Or the laptop has started to slow down and you suspect that the problem is HDD, but are you afraid to disassemble the case at random? In this article we will look at where exactly the drive is located in popular series ASUS - from budget VivoBook to gaming ROG Strix.

Laptop design ASUS varies greatly depending on the model and year of manufacture. In some devices hard drive hidden under a separate cover, while in others it requires complete disassembly of the case. We will show you how to determine the type of drive mounting based on external signs, what tools you will need for replacement, and warn against typical mistakes that can lead to loss of warranty or damage to the motherboard.

If you've never disassembled laptops, don't worry: the process of finding and replacing the drive in most models ASUS easier than it seems. The main thing is to know where to look and how not to damage the cables or connectors. Let's start with the most important thing: how to understand where exactly the drive is hidden in your model.

How to determine the location of the hard drive by ASUS laptop model

The first thing you need to do is find out exact model your laptop. This can be done in several ways:

• 🔍 Look at the sticker on the bottom cover (usually contains the full name, for example ASUS VivoBook S15 S530UN).
• 💻 Login to Start → Settings → System → About (in Windows 10/11).
• 🔧 Use command wmic csproduct get name on the command line (Win + R → cmd).

Once the model is known, find it in the table below. We have collected data on the location of drives in the most popular series ASUS over the past 5 years. Please note: some models may have two slots - for SSD M.2 and for HDD 2.5".

Laptop series	Drive type	Location	Is a full disassembly required?
ZenBook (UX3xx, UX4xx, UX5xx)	SSD M.2 (NVMe)	Under the bottom cover, next to the battery	No (separate cover or 4 screws)
VivoBook (S14, S15, X5xx, F5xx)	SSD M.2 + HDD 2.5" (in some models)	HDD - under a separate cover, SSD - under the main one	Partial (for HDD - no, for SSD - yes)
ROG Strix (G531, G731, Scar III)	2× SSD M.2 (one under the heatsink)	Under the bottom cover, the second slot can be closed	Yes (requires battery disconnection)
TUF Gaming (FX505, FA506, A15)	SSD M.2 + HDD 2.5" (optional)	HDD - in a separate compartment, SSD - under the cover	No (for HDD), yes (for SSD)
ASUS Pro (P5440, B9450)	SSD M.2 (sometimes a slot for a second one)	Under the cover, next to the RAM	No (separate cover)

If your model is not in the table, don't be upset. There is a universal way to determine the location of the disk - by external signs. For example, if on the bottom cover of a laptop there is a small removable panel (usually 5x10 cm) with one screw, then with a 90% probability there is either HDD 2.5", or SSD M.2. In gaming laptops ROG or TUF Often there are two such panels - one for RAM, the other for the drive.

External signs: how to find a hard drive without disassembling a laptop

Before you take a screwdriver, inspect the laptop case. Manufacturers often leave hints that will help you avoid unnecessary work.

• 🔩 Screws with HDD icon: some models ASUS (For example, VivoBook S15 or TUF FX505) have screws with a hard drive pattern on the bottom cover. Unscrew them and you will have access to the drive.
• 📏 Protrusion or recess: If there is a small protrusion on the lid (often in the lower right corner), there is most likely a compartment hidden under it. HDD 2.5".
• 🔋 Near the battery: in ultrabooks ZenBook or ASUS Pro the drive is usually located next to the battery. If the cover is solid, look for it on the left side of the body.

Another way is to listen to your laptop. Turn it on and listen: if you hear a slight clicking or buzzing sound, it's working mechanical HDD. In this case, it is definitely in the device (possibly in addition to SSD). If the laptop runs absolutely silently, most likely you only have SSD, and its location may be less obvious.

⚠️ Attention: in laptops ASUS ROG Zephyrus (For example, G14 or G15) the drive can be hidden under radiator. Trying to get to it without experience risks damaging the cooling system. If you are not sure, contact the service center.

If external signs do not help, you will have to remove the bottom cover. But before that you need to prepare.

Preparing for disassembly: tools and precautions

To safely access your hard drive, you will need:

• ⚒️ Phillips screwdriver (PH0 or PH1) - for most screws in laptops ASUS.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or tray - so as not to lose screws (in some models there are up to 20 of them!).
• 📱 Smartphone with camera — take a photo of the location of the screws and cables before disassembling.
• 🧤 Antistatic wrist strap (optional) - protects components from static electricity.

Also consider the following nuances:

• 🔌 Turn off the power: Remove the charger and remove the battery, if possible (in some models the battery is not removable).
• 🕒 Make time: Disassembling a laptop can take from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity.
• 📄 Check the warranty: If the laptop is under warranty, disassembling it yourself may void it. In this case, it is better to contact an authorized service ASUS.

Turn off the power and remove the battery (if possible)|Prepare your work area (clean surface, good lighting)|Take photos of the original location of screws and cables|Check that you have all the necessary tools|Ensure that the warranty will not be void-->

Pay special attention plumes. In laptops ASUS Often fragile connectors are used, which are easily damaged if handled carelessly. For example, in models ZenBook The touchpad cable runs next to the drive's drive - it's easy to touch it with a screwdriver.

⚠️ Attention: in laptops ASUS ROG Strix And TUF Gaming sometimes there are screws with different lengths. If you mix them up, you can damage the motherboard. Always remember where each screw came from.

Step-by-step instructions: how to get to the hard drive in an ASUS laptop

Now let's move on to practice. Below are universal instructions that are suitable for most models. However, please note that some laptops (eg. ASUS ZenBook Flip or ROG Zephyrus) process may vary.

Step 1: Removing the Bottom Cover

1. Turn the laptop over and place it on a soft surface (such as a towel) to avoid scratching the case.

2. Unscrew all screws on the bottom cover. In some models, they may be hidden under rubber feet - carefully pry them off with a plastic card.

3. Take plastic spatula (or pick) and carefully pry the lid off, starting from the corner. Be careful: the lid may be held in place by latches that can be easily broken.

What to do if the cover does not come off?

If the lid does not budge, check:

- Are all the screws unscrewed (sometimes they are hidden under stickers).

- Are there any hidden latches (in models ASUS ROG they may be under rubber inserts).

- Is the cover not glued (some ultrabooks use glue, which must be carefully cut with a knife).

Step 2: Find your hard drive

After removing the cover, you will see the insides of the laptop. Here's what to look for:

• 💾 HDD 2.5": rectangular metal box with connector SATA and power cable. Usually secured in a special sled.
• 🖥️ SSD M.2: A small chip (about the size of a piece of chewing gum) in a slot on the motherboard. Can be secured with one screw.

In laptops ASUS VivoBook or TUF Gaming a common combination is: HDD 2.5" in a separate compartment and SSD M.2 on the motherboard. In ultrabooks ZenBook usually only SSD M.2, and it can be covered with a thermal pad.

Step 3: Removing the Drive

If you have HDD 2.5":

1. Disconnect the power cable and SATA-cable.
2. Unscrew the screws securing the slide.
3. Carefully remove the disc by pulling on the tab.

If you have SSD M.2:

1. Unscrew the fixing screw (usually marked as M.2 or SSD).
2. Lift the drive at a 30° angle and remove it from the slot.
3. Install new SSD, making sure that the key (notch) matches the connector.

Typical mistakes when replacing a hard drive in ASUS laptops

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that can lead to data loss or laptop damage. Here are the most common of them:

• 🔌 Undisconnected battery: If you do not disconnect the battery before operation, a short circuit may burn the motherboard. Some models ASUS (For example, ROG Strix G531) the battery is non-removable - in this case, just remove the charger and wait 5 minutes.
• 🔧 Overtightened screws: if the fastening screws are tightened too much HDD or SSD, the connector may be damaged. Tighten them until they are lightly tightened.
• 🔄 Incompatible SSD: not all M.2 SSD suitable for laptops ASUS. For example, in ZenBook UX425 you need a drive with an interface PCIe 3.0 x4, and SATA M.2 won't work.
• 📀 Dust and debris: If you do not clean the storage compartment HDD remove dust before installing a new drive, this may cause overheating. Use a can of compressed air.

Another common problem is incorrect Windows installation after replacing the disk. Many users forget that for NVMe SSD need to be created GPT partition, not MBR, otherwise the system will not boot. You may also need to enable the mode in the BIOS AHCI instead of IDE.

⚠️ Attention: in laptops ASUS ROG with two M.2 SSD (For example, Strix Scar III) the second slot can be covered with a metal plate. If you remove it carelessly, you can damage the radiator. Use a plastic spatula!

What to do after replacing the hard drive?

Hurray, you have successfully installed your new drive! But that's not all. To make your laptop work correctly, follow these steps:

1. Check detection in BIOS: turn on the laptop and go to the BIOS (usually the button F2 or Del). Make sure the new drive appears in the partition Boot or Storage.
2. Install the system: if the disk is empty, you will need bootable flash drive with Windows or Linux. To create you can use Rufus or Media Creation Tool.
3. Update your drivers: After installing the OS, download drivers from the official website ASUS (section Support → Drivers & Tools). Drivers are especially important for Chipset And Storage.
4. Transfer data: If you cloned an old drive, check the integrity of the files. Sometimes, due to cloning errors, documents or settings may disappear.

If the laptop does not see the new disk, the following reasons are possible:

• 🔌 Poor contact: Check if it is inserted tightly SSD into the slot. In models ASUS TUF Sometimes you need to press it with your finger until it clicks.
• 🔧 Incompatibility: Check on the manufacturer’s website to see if your model supports this type of drive. For example, ASUS VivoBook S14 doesn't work with PCIe 4.0 SSD.
• 🔄 BIOS Settings: On some laptops you need to manually enable the mode AHCI or disable Secure Boot.

1. Is the battery connected correctly (if removed).

2. Are there any forgotten screws or foreign objects inside the case?

3. Is the RAM installed correctly (sometimes it crashes during parsing).-->

ASUS models with non-standard hard drive layout

Some laptops ASUS have a unique design where the drive is hidden in unexpected places. Let's look at the most difficult cases.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14/G15

In these ultrabooks SSD located under cooling system. To get to it:

1. Remove the bottom cover (10 screws).
2. Disconnect the battery cable.
3. Unscrew the 4 screws securing the radiator.
4. Carefully lift the radiator - underneath you will see M.2 SSD.

Please note: in Zephyrus G14 only one slot for SSD, and in G15 - two, but the second one can be covered with a metal plate.

ASUS ZenBook Duo (UX481/UX581)

On these dual-screen models, the storage is located under top panel. The analysis is extremely complex and requires:

• Removing the keyboard (it is glued!).
• Disconnecting the second screen cables.
• Carefully remove the motherboard.

We do not recommend disassembling ZenBook Duo yourself - it is better to contact a service center.

ASUS Chromebook (C423, C425, Flip C434)

B Chromebook from ASUS drive usually soldered into the motherboard. It is impossible to replace it - only to re-solder it, which requires special equipment. If your Chromebook started to work slowly, try resetting it to factory settings (Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R).

How to transfer Windows to a new SSD without losing data?

1. Connect new SSD to laptop via USB-SATA adapter.

2. Use the program Macrium Reflect Free for cloning.

3. Select the source drive and destination (SSD).

4. Start the cloning process (takes 20-60 minutes depending on the volume).

5. Once completed, disconnect the old drive and boot from the new one.

Important: if new SSD larger in volume, after cloning, expand the partition through Disk management (Win + X).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hard drives in ASUS laptops

Is it possible to install an SSD instead of a HDD in an ASUS VivoBook laptop?

Yes, in most models VivoBook (For example, S14 S430UN or X512DA) there is a compartment for HDD 2.5", which can be replaced by SSD 2.5" (with interface SATA). There is also usually a separate slot M.2 for additional NVMe SSD.

Please note: if you replace HDD on SSD, the speed of the laptop will increase significantly, but the capacity may decrease (for example, from 1 TB to 500 GB).

How to transfer Windows to a new SSD in an ASUS laptop?

The most reliable way is cloning using Macrium Reflect or Clonezilla. Step by step instructions:

1. Connect new SSD through USB adapter.
2. Install cloning software.
3. Select source drive (HDD) and target (SSD).
4. Start the process (may take up to an hour).
5. Once complete, replace the drives and boot from SSD.

If cloning fails, you will have to install Windows from scratch.

Why doesn't my ASUS laptop see the new SSD?

There may be several reasons:

• Incompatibility: Check if your model supports this type SSD (For example, PCIe 4.0 will not work in older laptops).
• Incorrect installation: make sure SSD tightly inserted into the slot and secured with a screw.
• BIOS Settings: Go to BIOS and check if the mode is enabled AHCI (not IDE).
• Uninitialized disk: On Windows, go to Disk management (Win + X) and initialize the new drive.

Is it possible to put two SSDs in an ASUS ROG Strix laptop?

Yes, many models ROG Strix (For example, G531GW or G731GV) have two M.2 slots. However, the second slot may be covered with a metal plate or located under a heatsink. Before installation, check:

• Does your model support RAID array (if yes, then both disks will work as one).
• Is there an option in the BIOS NVMe RAID Mode (it must be disabled if you want to use the disks separately).

Please note: on some models, the second slot only works with PCIe SSD, and SATA M.2 not supported.

How do I know which SSD is suitable for my ASUS laptop?

To find a compatible SSD, you need to know:

1. Slot type: M.2 SATA or M.2 NVMe (PCIe). You can find this out by the markings on the motherboard or in the documentation for the laptop.
2. Drive length: most often this 2280 (80 mm), but in compact models (for example, ZenBook UX333) maybe 2242 (42 mm).
3. Protocol: For maximum speed, select PCIe 3.0 x4 or PCIe 4.0 x4 (if supported).

To check compatibility you can use the service Crucial Advisor or Kingston Configurator, where you just need to enter your laptop model.