This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Alienware m17 R3, with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. The Alienware m17 R3 is a 2020 gaming laptop with a 17.3-inch screen. The SSD can be replaced but the memory is soldered, so storage is the only upgrade.
- Model number
- m17 R3
- Released
- 2020
- Type
- Gaming laptop
- Screen
- 17.3-inch
- Storage
- M.2 SSD, two slots on most configurations
- Memory
- Soldered
Repairs we carry out on the Alienware m17 R3
Screen replacement
The 17.3-inch panel is matched to the original by part number, including refresh rate and connector type, so games run as they did before.
Price confirmed before work starts
Windows repair and reinstall
The Alienware m17 R3 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. On a 2020 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
Depending on the configuration this charges through a round socket, USB-C or both. We test the adapter, the port and the charging circuit to find which has failed.
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 m17 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
Memory in the Alienware m17 R3 is soldered and cannot be upgraded. It is worth knowing this before paying anyone for a memory upgrade.
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.
We also carry out keyboard and trackpad repair, motherboard repair, liquid damage repair, hinge and casing repair, virus removal on the Alienware m17 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 m17 R3
The SSD in the Alienware m17 R3 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 Alienware m17 R3 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Alienware laptops range are the older Alienware m17 R1 (2019) and the newer Alienware x17 R1 (2021). Memory differs: soldered on the Alienware m17 R3, SODIMM slots on the Alienware m17 R1.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Alienware m17 R3 be upgraded?
The SSD can be replaced, and most configurations have a second M.2 slot. Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded.
My Alienware m17 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.
How much does a Alienware m17 R3 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.
Is a 2020 Alienware m17 R3 still worth repairing?
It depends on the fault. A battery, SSD or charging socket is usually worth doing. A major board repair on an older machine may cost more than the machine is worth, and if that is the case we will say so.