If your Alienware 15 R2 has a broken screen, will not charge, runs hot or will not start, we can diagnose and repair it at our Bermondsey workshop. The Alienware 15 R2 is a 2016 gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch screen. Both the drive and, on most configurations, the memory can be upgraded, which makes it a good candidate for a refresh.
- Model number
- 15 R2
- Released
- 2016
- Type
- Gaming laptop
- Screen
- 15.6-inch
- Storage
- M.2 SSD, two slots on most configurations
- Memory
- SODIMM slots
What we repair on the Alienware 15 R2
Screen replacement
We replace the 15.6-inch panel with one that matches the original resolution and refresh rate. A cheaper 60Hz panel will physically fit many gaming laptops, and we do not fit one unless you ask for it.
Price confirmed before work starts
Graphics repair
The graphics chip is soldered to the board. Artefacts, crashes under load and a black screen with the fans running are diagnosed to the chip, its memory or its power stage, and repaired at board level where it is economical.
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
The battery is internal and held by screws. We fit a new one, then calibrate and test it under load. On a 2016 machine a worn battery is the likely cause of short runtime, and we measure its capacity before recommending anything else.
Price confirmed before work starts
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.
Overheating and fan repair
A thermal service covers fresh compound on the processor and graphics chip, new thermal pads where needed and both fans cleaned. It is the usual cure for throttling and loud fans under load.
SSD and storage upgrade
Most configurations of the Alienware 15 R2 have two M.2 slots, so a second SSD can be added, or the existing one cloned to a larger drive.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory upgrade
Most configurations of the Alienware 15 R2 have SODIMM memory slots, so memory can be increased. We check what is fitted and the maximum the board supports.
We also carry out keyboard and trackpad repair, motherboard repair, liquid damage repair, hinge and casing repair, virus removal on the Alienware 15 R2, 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 Alienware laptops range
- The graphics chip is soldered to the motherboard, so graphics faults are board-level repairs.
- Several m15, m17 and x-series generations have soldered memory, so check before buying an upgrade.
- Alienware laptops run at high temperatures by design. Thermal compound dries out and a full thermal service makes a measurable difference.
Data recovery from the Alienware 15 R2
The SSD in the Alienware 15 R2 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 Alienware 15 R2 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Alienware laptops range are the newer Alienware m15 R1 (2018). It is the earliest 15.6-inch model of the range that we list.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Alienware 15 R2 be upgraded?
The SSD can be replaced, and most configurations have a second M.2 slot. Memory is in slots on most configurations and can be increased.
My Alienware 15 R2 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 gaming laptop?
The model and revision (R1, R2 and so on) are on the base label, along with the Dell Service Tag.
Can the Alienware 15 R2 run Windows 11?
Not officially. It does not meet Microsoft's processor and security requirements.