Cleaning your laptop fans is a task that you need to know how to do. If you don’t clean it, then the inside of your computer will overheat and not work properly. This can cause problems with how fast it works, how long it lasts, and how loud it is. You may also experience problems with how hot the keyboard, mouse, or other parts get because the air isn’t flowing properly through those vents to cool them off. To avoid these issues, you’ll want to learn how to clean laptop fans!
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How To Clean Laptop Fan; Step By Step Guide
Your laptop’s fan is one of its most important components. After all, it helps circulate air throughout your device to keep it as cool as possible. That being said, your fan can get filthy fairly quickly.
From dust getting trapped in its ventilation holes to oil from your hands making its blades spin sluggishly, there are plenty of reasons why it might be running slower than usual. So how do you clean your laptop’s fan blades? Don’t panic, we’ve got your back. Read these step-by-step instructions on how to clean a laptop fan the right way.
Things You Will Need
Before you can take action, it’s important to know some essential tools you will need for this task. Some of these are;
- A screwdriver
- Canned compressed air
- A soft brush
Now that you have these tools let’s get the party started.
Turn Off The Device
The first and most important step to cleaning your laptop’s fan is to ensure that it’s not running. For this, you’ll want to shut your device off. If you’re in the middle of something and your fan is running, you don’t want to risk damaging it.
Unplug Your Laptop
Before you do anything, make sure that your laptop is unplugged. This will save you a lot of trouble later on. You don’t want to accidentally electrocute yourself while cleaning your fan, do you?
Remove The Fan Grille And Check For Dust
Depending on how dirty your laptop’s fan is, you may have to remove its grille to clean it properly. If so, look for two screws holding it in place to gain access and carefully remove them with a screwdriver. Be careful not to strip them or otherwise damage them or the bottom panel as they are very small and easy to lose track of! Once they are removed, set them aside and slide the grille off of its hinges.
Use a Can of Compressed Air
Now that your device is off, you can use a can of compressed air to gently blow compressed air to remove any dust or dirt that may be wedged in your device’s ventilation holes. Make sure that the air vent on your laptop is clear of any obstructions before using this. You may want to wear gloves while doing this as there may be some dirt or oil on the grille itself.
Remove the Laptop Fan
Once you’ve cleared the fan of any dust or dirt, you’ll want to remove it to properly clean it. For this, you’ll need to remove your laptop’s bottom plate. This can be done in one of two ways. The first is to pry the plate from the bottom of your laptop with a flathead screwdriver. The other is to slide the plate out from the top of your laptop.
Use a Soft Brush
Once the cooling fan is out of your way, you can use a soft brush to remove any residual dust from the blades. You can pick this up from your local drugstore for around $6. It is that cheap!
Don’t Use Windex or Any Other Type of Glass Cleaner
While it’s understandable that you may want to clean your laptop’s fan with what’s on hand, don’t go overboard with it. Windex and other glass cleaners are meant to be used on windows and windshields, not electronic devices. Doing so can cause damage to your equipment.
Don’t Use Soap or Other Liquid Cleaners
Soaps and other liquid cleaners often contain chemicals that can damage your laptop’s components. If you’ve been trying other methods to clean your laptop and they’ve failed, and you’ve considered replacing your fan, don’t give up. Instead, try using a soft, damp cloth to clean your fan.
Don’t Use Abrasive Cleaners
Finally, don’t use abrasive cleaners on your laptop’s fan. These often claim to be able to clean any dust or dirt from your laptop’s components, but in reality, they’re only going to scratch them up. When it comes to your laptop’s components, you’ll want to use non-abrasive items or the compressed air method.
Put The Grille And Screws Back On
Once you are done cleaning your laptop’s cooling fan, put it back on along with the grille and screws removed earlier. If possible, try to keep track of where each screw goes so that you don’t have to search for them later! Once they are back in place, turn your laptop over and plug it back in. Hopefully, now you will notice a significant increase in its performance!
Point To Note
Unless you have some background knowledge, avoid opening it. Additionally, don’t try using vacuum cleaners to clear dust from your computer. This is because there is a higher chance the machine will cause static discharge, further damaging your computer.
It is also not advised to use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment as this can cause more problems by pushing the dirt and dust further into the cooling system.
How Often Should You Clean a Laptop Fan?
Laptops are generally used for personal and business purposes. As such, they are exposed to the risk of dirt and dust that can accumulate over time.
While some users may prefer ignoring this issue, others may be forced to clean the fan on their laptop due to a malfunctioning device. The frequency of cleaning a laptop fan will depend on several factors, including;
- The location of use
- The type of activity you engage with the laptop
- The cleanliness of the environment you are in
- The amount of time you spend using your laptop
- The level of exposure to dust and dirt present in the surrounding environment
Cleaning a laptop cooling system is not as easy as cleaning other devices. However, it is not impossible to remove dust if you have the right tools.
So, generally, as per the rule of thumb, you should clean your laptop fan every 6 months to maintain its ideal performance.
Why Is It Important to Clean Your Laptop Fun?
Computers, laptops, and tablets all generate a lot of heat when they are in use. This heat can cause the internal parts to overheat and damage the device. One of the ways that your computer tries to keep cool is by using the fan to push air through the vents.
If the fan is clogged with dirt or debris, it can’t do its job properly, and the computer will overheat. That’s why it’s important to clean your laptop fan regularly!
Conclusion
So, there you have it! How to clean your laptop fan in a few simple steps. By following these tips, you can help keep any computer model running cooler and faster. However, if you’re still having issues with your computer’s fan, it might be time to invest in a new one.
The laptop fans in most laptops are designed to last for years. However, over time, the fan blades can become clogged with dust and debris from the air surrounding it. Not only does this make your computer run hot, but it can damage the fans themselves.