If your Alienware 17 R3 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 17 R3 is a 2016 gaming laptop with a 17.3-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
- 17 R3
- Released
- 2016
- Type
- Gaming laptop
- Screen
- 17.3-inch
- Storage
- M.2 SSD, two slots on most configurations
- Memory
- SODIMM slots
Alienware 17 R3 repairs and upgrades
Screen replacement
We replace the 17.3-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
Overheating and fan repair
We strip the cooling system, clean the fans and heatsink fins and renew the thermal compound and pads. We check temperatures under load afterwards.
SSD and storage upgrade
Most configurations of the Alienware 17 R3 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 17 R3 have SODIMM memory slots, so memory can be increased. We check what is fitted and the maximum the board supports.
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. At this age, short runtime and sudden shutdowns usually point to a worn battery and not a board fault.
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.
We also carry out keyboard and trackpad repair, motherboard repair, liquid damage repair, hinge and casing repair, virus removal on the Alienware 17 R3, 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
- 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.
- The graphics chip is soldered to the motherboard, so graphics faults are board-level repairs.
Data recovery from the Alienware 17 R3
The SSD in the Alienware 17 R3 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 17 R3 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Alienware laptops range are the newer Alienware 17 R5 (2018). It is the earliest 17.3-inch model of the range that we list.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Alienware 17 R3 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 17 R3 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 17 R3 run Windows 11?
Not officially. It does not meet Microsoft's processor and security requirements.