People who use laptops and computers daily know that they need to be cleaned regularly. A dirty computer can slow down loading times, which is frustrating and makes the computer work harder for simple tasks.
The fans are essential components in any laptop because they help keep it cool. When a laptop gets overheated, the risk of it failing or developing permanent damage goes up significantly.
Keeping your laptop in good repair lets you get the best possible performance. It can also help extend the life of your device. The best approach is regular maintenance on your laptop to keep it running as efficiently as possible. One major thing is ensuring that you clean the fan.
Read on from this post for more information on cleaning a laptop fan.
Clean Laptop Fan Without Taking It Apart
If you notice that your laptop is heating up more than usual, you should clean it immediately. You do not need to spend money on an expert and get it cleaned. You can clean your laptop without taking it apart by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Switch off the laptop and remove the Battery if possible
Step 2: Locate the Fan Vents on your laptop. The position will depend on the laptop model you have, but you can find them on the bottom or side of your laptop.
Step 3: Blow Compressed Air into each vent to remove any larger particles that may cause a blockage. A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment can also work if you don't have compressed air.
Step 4: If you have removed the battery, Reinsert it and turn it on.
Clean a Fan by Opening up Your Laptop
Here is a detailed description of how to clean a fan by opening your laptop:
Step 1: Switch off your laptop and remove the battery if possible
Step 2: Take off the Metal panel or Plastic in the base to leave the fan open. This will depend on your laptop model. If you fail, go through the manufacturer's manual.
Step 3: Use a screwdriver to remove all screws holding the fan and remove it from the base. Note how each screw goes if you want to put them back later.
Step 4: Clean the dust off with a Brush or Cloth. If there are any stubborn specks of dust, use a small pin to remove them.
Step 5: Put back all Screws and replace the batteries if they were removed earlier.
Clean a Laptop Without Compressed Air
Follow these steps to clean your laptop without compressed air:
Step 1: Turn off your laptop completely and unplug the power adapter from the wall outlet and the laptop.
Step 2: Remove the Battery from the laptop if possible. Some models have batteries that are permanently attached.
Step 3: Locate a Teardown Guide for your laptop from a reputable site or use the motherboards manual. Each manufacturer will have different steps for accessing their internal components. The focus will help you find screws you need to remove to open up your laptop's body so you can gain access to its interior components without damaging anything important.
Step 4: Use a Screwdriver to Loosen and Remove all of the screws holding together the laptop case as directed by your teardown guide.
Step 5: Open up your laptop's case carefully and set aside any removable components like wireless antennas, fans, or hard drives. Remove these components if they are dirty, as there is no sense in cleaning just one component while ignoring another.
Step 6: Lift the top panel with both hands and Place it out of the way so you can access the fan area.
Step 7: Use a roll of Duct tape to Clean off any dust and debris that has settled onto the fan blades.
Step 8: Look into the air vents and use a flashlight to see if any large clumps of debris are lodged in them. If there are, Use Tweezers to remove them by grabbing them gently at one end and pulling them out slowly.
Step 9: Reassemble your laptop by reversing steps
FAQs
Q. Why Is My Laptop So Hot?
Check if your vents are blocked. Dust accumulation inside the laptop system prevents proper air circulation, accelerating the heating-up process. Ensure that no objects like magazines or furniture are blocking the air circulation.
Q. How do I know when my laptop fan needs cleaning?
Look out for noises that sound like grinding or squealing. These are signs of dust and debris in your fan, stopping the fan blades from moving freely.
Another way to tell is by holding your hand near the vents while the computer is running. If they're blowing hot air or completely silent, these are signs that something might be wrong.
Q. How Often Should You Clean a Laptop Fan?
A laptop's fan needs cleaning every six months, but how often depends on how dusty or dirty the environment is. If you use your laptop in a clean environment, it may not need cleaning for a year or two. If you use your laptop in a dusty room or outdoors, you'll probably want to clean it every few months. Most people should probably clean their laptop fans at least once every year.
Wrap Up
When your laptop is overheating, you have no idea why look at the fan. One of the best ways to clean your fan is to use compressed air and, if needed, a soft cloth. The compressed air will help remove the dust and other impurities clogging the vents, while the soft cloth enables you to brush away dust that doesn't get dislodged by the compressed air. The cleaning method can also help you gently spin off any small particles that may be gumming up your fan.
