Lenovo ThinkPad T490s Repair
This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s, with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a 14-inch laptop from 2019, identified by machine types 20NX, 20NY. The SSD can be replaced but the memory is soldered, so storage is the only upgrade.
- Machine types
- 20NX, 20NY
- Released
- 2019
- Type
- Laptop
- Screen
- 14-inch
- Storage
- M.2 SSD, replaceable
- Memory
- Soldered
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s repairs and upgrades
Screen replacement
A broken 14-inch screen is replaced with a panel of the same resolution and finish. We check the display cable while the lid is open.
Price confirmed before work starts
SSD and storage upgrade
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s takes an M.2 SSD. We clone the existing drive to a larger one so Windows, programs and files carry over unchanged.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory
Memory in the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is soldered and cannot be upgraded. It is worth knowing this before paying anyone for a memory upgrade.
Windows repair and reinstall
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s meets Microsoft's Windows 11 requirements in most configurations. We upgrade from Windows 10, which reached end of support in October 2025, or reinstall Windows 11 cleanly with your files kept.
Battery replacement
A new internal battery is fitted and tested through a full charge and discharge. At this age, short runtime and sudden shutdowns usually point to a worn battery and not a board fault.
Price confirmed before work starts
Keyboard and trackpad repair
The keyboard is a separate part on most ThinkPads and is replaced without disturbing the rest of the machine. Trackpad and TrackPoint buttons are replaced the same way.
Charging port and power repair
Charging is over USB-C. A loose or dead port is replaced where it is a separate part, or repaired on the motherboard where it is soldered.
We also carry out motherboard repair, liquid damage repair, overheating and fan repair, hinge and casing repair, virus removal on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s, along with USB, HDMI and audio port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement, webcam and speaker faults, BIOS password removal with proof of ownership and data transfer to a new machine.
Notes from the workshop
- A forgotten supervisor password is stored in a security chip and cannot be reset from software.
- ThinkPad keyboards, batteries and SSDs are accessible and well supported with parts, which makes most repairs economical.
- From the T480s onward many T-series models have one soldered memory module and one free slot.
- On the T480 and T580, USB-C and Thunderbolt charging failures are a known fault, often linked to out-of-date Thunderbolt firmware.
Data recovery from the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s
The SSD in the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s can be removed and imaged on our own equipment, so files can usually be recovered even when the machine will not start. Recent Windows machines often have device encryption or BitLocker switched on. If so we will need the recovery key, which is normally saved in your Microsoft account.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Lenovo ThinkPad T Series range are the older Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (2018) and the newer Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 (2020). Memory differs: soldered on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s, SODIMM slots on the Lenovo ThinkPad T480.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s be upgraded?
The SSD can be replaced with a larger M.2 drive. Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded.
My Lenovo ThinkPad T490s will not turn on. Is my data lost?
Usually not. The drive is separate from the fault in most cases, and we can remove it and copy your files even if the machine itself is not worth repairing.
Where do I find the model number on my laptop?
The base label shows the model name and a machine type, four characters such as 20W0 or 82H8. For this model, look for 20NX or 20NY.
Can the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s run Windows 11?
Yes, in most configurations.