Framework Laptop Schematics -

Framework provides publicly accessible interface schematics and CAD files for its laptops, but complete, component-level motherboard schematics are generally restricted to professional repair shops under confidentiality agreements . Publicly Available Documentation

You can find open-source documentation for various Framework modules on their Official GitHub Organization:

Mainboard Interface Schematics: These PDFs include pinouts and block diagrams for various models to help developers build projects around the mainboard. Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series) Framework Laptop 13 (7040 Series) Framework Laptop 13 (12th Gen Intel) Framework Laptop 16 (7040 Series)

CAD Files: 2D drawings and 3D CAD models for the chassis, mainboard, battery, and display are available to help users design custom cases or replacement parts .

Expansion Cards: Reference designs and electrical specifications for Expansion Cards and Expansion Bay modules (for the Laptop 16) are fully open . Full Schematics for Repair Shops

For advanced board-level repairs (identifying specific capacitors, resistors, or ICs), Framework provides full schematics and board views through their Support Form .

Framework Laptop schematics are uniquely accessible compared to other manufacturers, though they are released strategically to balance open-source repairability with intellectual property protection. Types of Available Schematics Public Mainboard Interfaces : Framework provides interface schematics (e.g., for Framework Laptop 16 AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series

) on their GitHub. These cover critical connector pinouts for the eDP (display), camera, keyboard, and expansion cards. Expansion Card Developer Program

: Full reference designs and schematics are available for those developing custom Expansion Cards Repair Shop Access framework laptop schematics

: Detailed mainboard schematics and assembly drawings are provided to professional repair businesses upon request to support component-level repair. RISC-V Ecosystem : In partnership with DeepComputing

, schematics for the RISC-V mainboards are shared more openly to foster developer tinkering. Framework Community Deep Dive: Key Components 2nd gen RISC-V board announced by deepcomputing

Framework makes a distinction between publicly shared technical documentation and confidential schematics provided under NDA to repair businesses. While full board-level schematics (including all component values and traces) are generally not public, they do provide significant electrical documentation for tinkerers and repair shops. Accessing Framework Documentation

Public Electrical Documentation: You can find 2D/3D CAD files, pinouts, and partial schematics (focusing on internal/external connectors) on the Framework Mainboard GitHub repository.

Full Repair Schematics: Full schematics and assembly drawings are available to established repair shops. If you run a repair business, you can request access via the Framework Support form.

Expansion Card Developer Program: For those looking to build custom hardware, Framework provides reference designs and schematics for Expansion Cards. Why aren't all schematics public?

According to Framework's leadership, some parts of the motherboard design involve intellectual property (IP) owned by upstream vendors like Intel or AMD. Releasing 100% of the schematics publicly would potentially violate Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) they have with these partners. Troubleshooting "No POST"

If you are looking for schematics because your laptop is failing to POST (Power On Self Test): Page 22: Embedded Controller (EC) and KBC The

Framework Computer provides a notable level of technical openness for their laptops, though they do not release full, "component-level" motherboard schematics to the general public due to trade secrets and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with partners like Intel and AMD

However, they offer several "feature-like" technical resources that bridge the gap for enthusiasts and developers: Partial Schematics & Pinouts

: Framework provides a 12-page PDF containing high-level board overviews and detailed schematics for Framework-specific connectors. Expansion Card Developer Program : To encourage modularity, they have released

for the motherboard and associated boards, along with pinout and connector information. Open Source Embedded Controller (EC) : They have released the source code

for the laptop's Embedded Controller, allowing users to customize low-level hardware functions like keyboard mapping and battery charging behavior. Mainboard Reuse

: The Framework mainboard is designed to function as a standalone, high-power x86 CPU module. Framework provides the necessary documentation to use it outside of the laptop chassis for custom projects. Github repositories for their open-source hardware files or more info on the Expansion Card developer kits?

Follow-up: Expansion Card Developer Program or Mainboard Reuse? How Framework Laptop Broke The Hacker Ceiling - Hackaday

Page 22: Embedded Controller (EC) and KBC

The EC (often an ITE chip) handles keyboard scanning, fan control, and battery charging. The schematic reveals which GPIO pin controls the fan PWM signal. This allows advanced users to modify fan curves by patching the EC firmware—something impossible without the pinout. Without the schematic

How to Use Schematics to Extend Laptop Lifespan

A schematic is not just for catastrophic failure. It enables proactive longevity:

✅ What’s Good

  1. Actual useful documentation
    Framework provides board-level schematics (PDFs) for the Mainboard, Input Cover, and Expansion Card system. These include:

    • Connector pinouts
    • Voltage rails
    • Component designators (resistors, capacitors, ICs)
    • Test points

  2. Repair & troubleshooting
    For electronics engineers or advanced hobbyists, these schematics are invaluable. You can trace signals, check power delivery, and identify failed passive components without reverse-engineering.

  3. Open-source alignment
    Unlike most OEMs (Dell, Lenovo, Apple) who treat schematics as trade secrets, Framework actively publishes them on their official GitHub and support site. This aligns with Linux-friendly, DIY, and fair-repair communities.

  4. Third-party innovation
    Because schematics are available, third-party developers have designed custom expansion cards, alternative mainboards (e.g., RISC-V), and community-driven BIOS/UEFI tweaks.

How to read them (quick practical guide)

  1. Start with the legend and revision notes — identify the board revision, key net name conventions, and voltage domain color-coding.
  2. Find the power tree — trace from DC-in and battery to regulators; verify power-good signals and sequencing lines.
  3. Locate CPU/PCH and high-speed lanes — note how many PCIe lanes are exposed and whether Thunderbolt is routed directly or via a retimer.
  4. Identify test points and fuses — these are your access points for measuring current, voltage, and for cutting power to faulty sections.
  5. Map connectors to chassis modules — confirm which pins carry power vs. data to avoid damaging peripherals when swapping parts.

How to Read Framework Schematics: A Mini-Tutorial

You have downloaded the file. Now what? You need a schematic viewer (Adobe Reader is fine, but KiCAD or Gerber viewers are better for professionals). Here is a real-world repair scenario.

The problem: Your Framework laptop charges via the left USB-C port but not the right.

Using the schematic:

  1. Find the section labeled “USB-C Port 2 (Right Side).”
  2. Trace the CC1/CC2 (Configuration Channel) lines. They connect to a USB-PD controller (e.g., a STUSB or TPS6598x chip).
  3. Look for protection MOSFETs and 5.1kΩ pulldown resistors. If those resistors are damaged, the port will not detect a charger.
  4. Use a multimeter to check continuity from the port’s pins to the controller as mapped in the schematic.
  5. Identify the exact passive component (e.g., “R456 – 5.1k ohm 0402”). Order a replacement.

Without the schematic, you would be blindly probing a multi-layer board, likely causing more damage.

Page 1-5: System Block and Power Tree

The initial pages show the high-level flow of electricity. For a repair technician, the power tree is the first stop. It answers questions like: