This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch, with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a 15-inch laptop from 2019, identified by model numbers 1872, 1873. The SSD can be replaced but the memory is soldered, so storage is the only upgrade.
- Model numbers
- 1872, 1873
- Released
- 2019
- Type
- Laptop
- Screen
- 15-inch
- Storage
- M.2 2230 SSD, replaceable
- Memory
- Soldered
What we repair on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch
Screen replacement
We replace the 15-inch panel like-for-like, matching resolution and connector to the part number on the original.
Price confirmed before work starts
SSD and storage upgrade
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch uses a short M.2 2230 SSD that can be swapped for a larger one, with the contents cloned across.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory
Memory in the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch is soldered and cannot be upgraded. It is worth knowing this before paying anyone for a memory upgrade.
Windows repair and reinstall
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch 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
The battery is glued in behind the display. Replacing it means opening the device, which we explain and price before starting. A battery of this age that swells should be replaced before it damages the trackpad or casing.
Price confirmed before work starts
Charging port and power repair
Charging faults are traced to the adapter, the Surface Connect port or the charging circuit. The port is a separate part on most models.
We also carry out keyboard and trackpad repair, motherboard repair, liquid damage repair, overheating and fan repair, hinge and casing repair, virus removal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch, 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
- The first two Surface Laptop generations cannot be opened without damaging the fabric deck. From the Laptop 3 the top cover lifts off and the SSD is replaceable.
- Memory is soldered on every Surface Laptop.
Data recovery from the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch
The SSD in the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Microsoft Surface Laptop range are the newer Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 15-inch (2021). It is the earliest 15-inch model of the range that we list.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch be upgraded?
The M.2 2230 SSD can be replaced with a larger one. Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded.
My Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch 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 four-digit model number is printed under the kickstand on a Surface Pro or on the base of a Surface Laptop. For this model, look for 1872 or 1873.
Can the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch run Windows 11?
Yes, in most configurations.