Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2 Repair
This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2, with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a 14-inch laptop from 2014, identified by machine types 20A7, 20A8. The SSD can be replaced but the memory is soldered, so storage is the only upgrade.
- Machine types
- 20A7, 20A8
- Released
- 2014
- Type
- Laptop
- Screen
- 14-inch
- Storage
- M.2 SSD, replaceable
- Memory
- Soldered
Repairs we carry out on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2
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
Memory
Memory in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2 is soldered and cannot be upgraded. It is worth knowing this before paying anyone for a memory upgrade.
Windows repair and reinstall
This model does not meet Microsoft's Windows 11 requirements, and Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025. We can advise on the realistic options, including a lightweight Linux or ChromeOS Flex installation.
Battery replacement
We replace the internal battery and check the charging circuit and adapter at the same time. 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
The round charging socket wears and works loose. On most configurations it is a separate part on a short cable and is replaced without motherboard work.
SSD and storage upgrade
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2 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
We also carry out motherboard repair, liquid damage repair, overheating and fan repair, hinge and casing repair, virus removal on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2, 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.
Known issues with the ThinkPad X Series and X1 range
- Memory is soldered on the X1 and recent X-series machines, so it is fixed at purchase.
- USB-C charging port wear is the board repair we see most on these.
- A forgotten supervisor password is stored in a security chip and cannot be reset from software.
Data recovery from the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2
The SSD in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2 can be removed and imaged on our own equipment, so files can usually be recovered even when the machine will not start.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Lenovo ThinkPad X Series and X1 range are the older Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 1 (2012) and the newer Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 3 (2015).
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2 be upgraded?
The SSD can be replaced with a larger M.2 drive. Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded.
My Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2 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.
How do I get my Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2 to you?
Bring it to our workshop at Unit 1 The Willows, 80 Willow Walk, London SE1 5SY, or call 020 7237 6805 to ask about courier collection. We confirm the price before any work starts.
How much does a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 2 screen replacement cost?
Price confirmed before work starts. The exact figure depends on the part your machine needs, and we confirm it before any work starts.