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Use compressed air to quickly clean your CPU fan
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Failing to clean your CPU fan can cause the fan to either slow down or to fail completely. If the fan fails, then the temperatures inside the CPU case will significantly increase, which creates the potential for overheating. The easiest way to clean a CPU fan is to use a can of compressed air.
Things You Should Know
- Always power off your PC and remove any connected power cords before cleaning its CPU fan.
- After opening your computer according to the owner's manual, position your can of compressed air two inches from the surface you intend to clean.
- Spray compressed air in short puffs over the CPU fan's blades.
Steps
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Shut down your PC and turn the power off. Remove the power cords from the rear of the tower and disconnect them from their power source. -
Place the tower on top of an anti-static mat that has been laid on top of a table. You may also wear an antistatic wristband that is connected to an electrical ground, like a metal plumbing fixture. You'll need to use the antistatic devices because static discharge from the floor or from your body could damage data stored on the computer.Advertisement -
Open the back of the computer case according to the directions in your owner's manual. Some CPU's will require screwdrivers for removal, while others will have buttons to depress before the back comes off. -
Position your can of compressed air at least two inches from the surface that you are cleaning. -
Clean the fan intakes and the exhaust using short puffs of canned air. The intakes are the grid-like structures that filter the air that comes into the fan. -
Spray short puffs of canned air over the fan blades. To loosen clumps of dirt, hold your canned air at multiple angles rather than using long bursts of air. Make sure that you do not touch anything inside of the CPU tower. -
Set the canned air aside and close the back of your CPU. -
Clean the exterior of your CPU with a damp cloth that has been dipped in soapy, lukewarm water. Dry the surface with a soft towel. -
Use a damp cloth to clean your power cords while they are disconnected from a power source. Dry the power cords with a soft towel. -
Return the power cords to their correct positions and power up your computer.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionDoes it work for Dell?Community AnswerOnly if you use the USB port.
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QuestionWill there ever be a waterproof computer?Community AnswerThere is the potential for one as technology continues to advance.
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QuestionWhat happens if it doesn't turn back on?Community AnswerUnplug it. Open it up. Check that all the internal plugs and cables are connected securely, not spontaneously disconnecting. Just to complicate matters, there are often some cables that normally aren't connected to anything.
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Tips
- While you are cleaning the CPU fan, clean the motherboard and other areas if needed, utilizing short bursts of canned air.Thanks
- Minimize airborne dust in your computer room by cleaning the room regularly. You may also cover your equipment in order to keep dust out.Thanks
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Warnings
- If your CPU fan is not working, then you should only run your computer for a few minutes at a time to avoid overheating and damaging your stored data.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Can of compressed air
- Anti-static mat or antistatic wristband
- Owner's manual for your CPU
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 156,978 times.
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