Important Update:: Framework Laptop 12

[Eagle]

We’ve been following the community threads and reviewing customer support contacts about cracking in some of our Framework Laptop 12 Bottom Covers, and we want to let you know we’ve heard you. We take this issue very seriously and want to be transparent about the steps we’re taking to address it.

After a thorough review of our manufacturing process, we’ve identified the two contributing factors to this. The first is in the input material and injection molding parameters, which our operations and mechanical teams have worked with our suppliers on refining. The second is in the geometry of the inside of the Bottom Cover, for which we’ve kicked off a minor tooling modification to reduce the risk of cracking. Additionally, our Quality team has added additional checks at both the plastic parts supplier and our final assembly line to avoid shipping units with plastics issues on the Bottom Cover.

If you have a Framework Laptop 12 with visible cracking in the Bottom Cover, reach out to our support team through the form here, and include photos of the issue. We’ll make sure to get you a replacement part under Warranty. If you haven’t faced the issue on your unit, no action is needed.

Note also when assembling your Framework Laptop 12, you only need to lightly finger tighten the fasteners using the screwdriver included in the box (basically, if you hold the screwdriver between just your index finger and thumb, tight to where you don’t need to apply a lot of force to keep the screwdriver from slipping). Tightening the fasteners with a full-size screwdriver or with a large amount of force could cause cracking in any scenario.

​We understand how frustrating it is when a product doesn’t meet your expectations, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve, and we appreciate your patience and support as we implement these changes. We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you updated on our progress.
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Thank you for your understanding.

- The Framework Team

Latest update here.

[Buttercup]

We really appreciate this post and all the work you guys have done to fix this issue.

<3

[ErisLoona]

@Eagle

Additionally, our Quality team has added additional checks at both the plastic parts supplier and our final assembly line to avoid shipping units with plastics issues on the Bottom Cover.

Thanks for sharing! Does this mean pre-order batch 11 will receive the improved version of the bottom cover?

EDIT:

On the reddit post about this, u/Difficult_Pop8262 asked “which batches will benefit from the new manufacturing modifications?”, as well as how this issue will be handled under warranty. Framework’s u/1ChaoticEagle responded:

We are currently implementing the changes to our processes. Once completed, we’ll have more information. We are diligently working to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible.

As for warranty, if you are experiencing a crack in your Bottom Cover, please be sure to reach out to our support. We’ll get it taken care of under warranty for you.

We’ll provide further updates as information becomes available.

So that pretty much answers my question too.

[Southern-Femme]

Appreciate y’all looking into this~

Looking forward to getting my batch 10 unit soon!

[Eagle]

Thanks @ErisLoona

Appreciate the cross post! Beat me to it!

[Second_Coming]

NICE! So good to see the finding AND resolution so quickly.

6 weeks since first forum report. This is really quick turnaround.

[wolfie]

Appreciate you sharing more info. Thank you!

Will you announce once all changes are implemented and you switched to using only new covers?

I have already quickly replaced my initial unit so that you can investigate the main issue and the replacement unit is cracking again. Support wanted to replace immediately again but I told them I would prefer to hold off with the replacement until a real fix was implemented. Does not make sense to me to continue swapping while you still send out affected parts.

How will I know when I can request the switch for good? Don’t want to waste a matte screen protector, stickers, etc if I request too early.

[Eagle]

We will let you know as soon as we have further information. As not all bottom covers are experiencing the issue; we are offering replacements now, to resolve the issue as quickly as possible … or you can wait, if you’d like. Whichever is better for your own use case.

[Buttercup]

I have the same issue, but I haven’t heard from support yet.

[Ryan_Mahach]

Is this something where only some units are impacted - if we don’t experience the issue, can we assume it’s a good one going forward or should users in a particular batch range make sure to keep an eye out for the cracking issue regardless?

[Second_Coming]

Framework appears to be taking the “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” approach. Avoiding a recall / unnecessary recall. i.e. Making currently made bottom covers last as long as possible in the field. Good for the environment as long as the component (cover, in this case) remains useful. Semi-similar to their approach for the mystery boxes.

[Catalina_Amanigh]

Given this is a known and widespread defect, will this particular piece be covered on pre-update units beyond the normal warranty period should it present later in the machine’s life?

Mostly wondering how closely I should be watching for it to avoid needing to buy a new bottom cover if it does pop up on mine later on.

[Second_Coming]

Would it be correct to think that lid crack is also caused by “input material and injection molding parameters”? i.e. Fall under the same umbrella of “if cracked, call support and get a replacement”?

[syvlorg]

… That was six weeks!?

[stag90]

Apparently I don’t have the choice to wait for the implementation of new measures, I just received this from Support, they want to replace the entire laptop now because of the cracks at the bottom.

We understand that this has been announced by our team. However, for now, the only option we can offer is a replacement, as we do not expect every system to have this issue currently. We currently do not have further notice as to what the next implementation for this issue will be.

[Ryan_Mahach]

@Second_Coming This is why I’m asking. I don’t mind just keeping it if it’s not showing issues, but I want to know what I need to look out for and what my expectation should be if the issue shows up in the future.

[Eagle]

You don’t have to have it replaced right now. You can wait if you want to. They’re saying that a replacement bottom cover is the only thing they can offer to resolve your issue at this moment.

[stag90]

Thank you for the clarification.

Do you have internal agreement when the entire laptop is exchanged, and when only the bottom cover? Because the quote above was about the replacement of the entire laptop, although I have 2 cracks on the bottom cover only.

[Eagle]

I’d have to look at the case. There may be a reason they are offering the whole replacement (placement of cracks, other issues, etc). If you would prefer to only get a replacement bottom cover, then you are welcome to ask the RMA team if that’s an option instead.

[Eagle]

Update on Framework Laptop 12 Bottom Covers

Quality is our priority. Originally we received reports of hairline cracks showing on our Framework Laptop 12 bottom covers. When we previously investigated this, we identified two contributing factors (below). We’ve recently received some additional reports from customers receiving what appeared to be the older stock material - and we’re making it right.

The Manufacturing Fix: We’ve modified our input material and injection molding parameters, as well as made changes to the internal geometry of the bottom cover

The Distribution Fix: We were able to identify an error in sorting and this has now been resolved. All shipments of the Framework Laptop 12 bottom covers should have the new and improved material and design.

How to check your hardware: You can tell if you have the updated material by looking at your Serial Number (found on the box your device shipped in):

• FRAPBDCPAG54940004 : Count 5 digits in. The next 2 digits in will be the week of the year. The 8th digit in will be the last number of the year. In the example above, this SN was manufactured in the 49th week of 2025.

  • If your SN reports that your cover was manufactured in week 50 of 2025, or after, you have the new material (any color)

• On the bottom cover, you may also see a molded date stamp. If this reads after 11/2025 (12/2025 and beyond) then you have the new material (any color).

Torque specifications:

• For M2 screw, we set 1.5 kgf-cmto 2.0kgf-cm torgue

• For M1.6 screw, we set 0.7kgf-cm to 0.85kgf-cm torque

We appreciate everyone’s patience while we worked to implement this new change.