Keeping a clean PC is essential for maintaining its performance and lifespan.
With time, loose dust and debris accumulate on the fan blades, restricting the airflow and causing your computer to overheat. This results in many issues, such as decreased performance, system crashes, hardware damage and even computers not turning on.
To avoid the problems mentioned above, cleaning the PC fan regularly is essential. Cleaning the fan is relatively simple and takes a few minutes. Cleaning a PC also helps you to get rid of noisy fans.
This guide will teach you how to clean dust from your PC safely and effectively.
How Often Should You Clean Your PC Fan?
Keeping your PC free from dust is of utmost importance, but there isn’t any specific answer to this question as it depends on several factors:
Environment:
If you are working or living in a dusty environment or have pets at home, cleaning the CPU fan every 1-2 months is recommended.
In typical scenarios, cleaning a CPU fan every 3-6 months will be good enough.
Usage:
Heavy users like gamers or programmers should go on a cleaning spree every 2-3 months.
However, the cleaning task can be postponed to six months or even a year for users who do occasional browsing or other essential tasks.
Warning Signs:
Increased fan noise can act as a clear indicator of dust buildup.
Frequent shutdowns or low performance due to overheating also require cleaning.
Steps To Clean Your Computer Fan:
Step 1: Things Required:
Keep these things handy before you need to clean the fan, as you may need any of these when you start the cleaning process.
- Toothpicks
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Cotton Swabs
- Kitchen Tissue Paper
- Microfiber Cloth
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Can of compressed air
Step 2: Shut down and unplug PC
The first thing that you need to do is to shut down your desktop PC and then unplug each cable that is plugged into your computer.
Remove all the power cords from the rear of the tower and then disconnect each from their power source. You can also remove the laptop’s battery.
Step 3: Place On Top Of Anti-Static Mat
Wear an anti-static wristband similar to a metal plumbing fixture and place it on an anti-static mat atop a table.
You may also require antistatic devices, as static discharge from the floor or your body can damage the stored data on your computer.
Step 4: Open And Clean the Fan Blades
Now open the back of the computer case and, if required, look at the manual. Specific CPUs require screwdrivers for removal, while others will have buttons to depress even before the back comes off.
Open the case and locate the fan and CPU cooler.
The next thing that you will do is clean the isopropyl alcohol-soaked tissue paper. You can also use a can of compressed air at least two inches from the surface that you are cleaning. Spray short bursts of air at the dust.
Step 5: Remove Dust And Clean Fan Intakes And Exhaust
The grid-like structures that filter the air from the fan are known as fan intakes. Clean the intakes, exhaust, and fan blades using short puffs of canned air.
Only spray briefly, as it can damage your components or even cause condensation. Avoid touching anything inside the CPU tower.
Use a soft brush or a clean microfiber cloth to remove any stubborn dirt and dust gently. Use a toothpick to remove dust from the heatsink surface.
After you are done with the above steps it’s now time to observe the PC Fan’s airflow direction.
Step 6: Close the CPU
Keep aside the canned air and close the back of your CPU.
Step 7: Clean The Exterior Of The CPU
You can use a damp cloth to clean the exterior of the CPU. The cloth should be dipped in soapy, lukewarm water.
Dry the surface of the CPU with a soft towel.
Step 8: Clean The Power Cords
Now, it’s time to remove the power cords from the power source. Use a damp cloth to clean those, then dry the power cords with a soft towel.
Step 9: Power On Your PC
The final step is to return the power cords to their correct positions, power up your computer, and enjoy faster computing.
Following the above cleaning methods will help you properly clean the PC fan and make it run smoothly.
Why Should I Clean A PC Fan?
Cleaning your computer is essential as it helps in running the computer smoothly.
The most common reasons for PC cleaning are cited below:
- Cleaning prevents your PC components from damage caused by overheating, which in turn causes performance issues, system instability, and component damage.
- It also helps regulate the temperature well, which, in turn, maintains a good lifespan of the components inside the PC.
- Clean fans maintain stable temperatures and allow for higher overclocking margins.
- Dust build-up attracts and holds static electricity that can damage the sensitive electric components of your PC.
- Lastly, obstruction-free and unclogged fans are less noisy, making the overall PC-using experience more pleasant and peaceful.
Tips And Tricks Of PC Fan Cleaning
Here are some of the tips and tricks for cleaning your computer fan without taking it apart:
- Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from dust or dirt.
- Don’t force the fan blades to spin, as it can damage the bearings.
- Use a flashlight to see the dust buildup in nooks and crannies better.
- Attach a straw to the compressed air nozzle for more focused cleaning in tight spaces.
- Wipe the heatsink and the surrounding areas with clean wipes to remove the extra dust or grime.
- Apply a small amount of thermal paste to your CPU after cleaning the heatsink to ensure optimal thermal transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What Are The Types Of PC Fans?
There are two types of PC fans: case fans and CPU fans.
Case fans are more prominent and help dissipate heat from the case, whereas CPU fans are specifically designed to cool the CPU.
- Is Using A Vacuum Cleaner Safe To Clean The PC Fan?
It isn’t recommended to use a vacuum cleaner to clean a PC fan as it can create static electricity and damage the delicate electronic components of the fan, the motherboard, or your PC.
- Is It Possible To Clean The CPU Fan Without Using Compressed Air?
If you don’t have compressed air, you can use a soft brush or cotton swab to remove the dust from the CPU fan gently. But remember, applying too much pressure will damage the fan.
Takeaways
Remember, peace of mind comes from a clean and well-maintained PC, as it is less likely to encounter unexpected disruptions caused by overheating and other related problems.
So, take your time to clean the PC fan and enjoy a quieter, more relaxed, and more reliable computing experience.