The most common reason for a laptop fan to stop working is that the PSU or Cooling Fan has stopped. This can be caused by a variety of issues, from physical damage to improper part replacement. Replacing your cooling fan will often fix this problem and get you back in action!
We all know a laptop’s fan is an essential part of the computer. But did you know it can get dirty, or even have dust on it? Here are some steps for how to clean your laptop fan and avoid getting dust inside the machine.Understanding the life cycle of a laptop fan allows users to maintain optimal performance and extend the lifespan of their device. This article will go over how they work, as well as provide some useful tips on how to clean them if they do start breaking down.
Cleaning the fan on your laptop without taking it apart is possible, but you will need to use a lot of patience. Tools like compressed air are suggested for this job.
On March 4, 2021, this page was last updated.
Laptop fans remove heat from sensitive components on the motherboard, such as the CPU. They are, however, prone to get blocked with dust and debris from the surroundings since they pull air in. This may result in overheating. Continue reading to learn how to clean a laptop fan.
Dust and dirt particles may be blown away from the fan assembly using a can of compressed air. A portable dust blower with relatively low pressure may likewise be used to accomplish the same results. If you don’t have any of these things, a soft cloth, cotton balls, or cotton swabs may be used to clean them.
Of course, the amount of filth on the fan may make the cleaning procedure more difficult. To reach deeply embedded debris and dust, a complete fan disassembly may be required in certain instances.
What is the Best Way to Clean a Laptop Fan?
To clean the fan completely, you’ll need to open up the laptop. A basic Philips head screwdriver can be used to remove several of the screws.
Others have a single body. The bottom cover must be gently removed from the chassis at this point.
A clean work area is essential, and a system for organizing the screws you remove is also beneficial.
Remove the fan from its mount while the laptop is open to clean it apart from the rest of the components. To do so, unscrew it and then disconnect the cable from the motherboard.
Following the disassembly, there are three common methods to clean a laptop fan:
- Using an Air Blower or Compressed Air
- Cleaning a Laptop using a Brush Kit
- Using Cotton Balls or Soft Cloths
- Making Use of Rubbing Alcohol
1. Using an Air Blower or Compressed Air Can
Compressed air in a can is ideal for electrical usage. No moisture may harm your electrical components since it’s dry air. Furthermore, the pressure is carefully controlled to avoid harm to your system.
You may aim the nozzle of compressed air towards the portion of the fan you wish to clean. Short bursts of air should then be used to attempt to remove the dust and debris from the fan.
With a hand-held dust blower, you may achieve the same results. Use only the ones designed for cleaning sensitive electrical components.
Advantages
Compressed air is more suitable for difficult-to-reach areas. Furthermore, since it is under pressure, it is excellent for dislodging even bigger dust clumps and providing a more thorough clean without requiring the fan to be disassembled.
You may save compressed air cans and use them again the next time you need to clean your fan. If they run out, several hardware shops sell them at a reasonable price.
Caution
It’s critical to understand how to properly clean a laptop fan using compressed air. Because they utilize too much air pressure, certain dust blowers are not suitable for sensitive electrical components. As a result, using them on your laptop fan may result in harm.
It’s also worth noting that compressed air may sometimes exacerbate the problem by trapping dust particles in the fan. As a result, it’s critical to double-check the fan to make sure it’s as clean as you need.
2. Using a Cleaning Brush Kit for Laptops
Brushes of various sizes and kinds are available for cleaning various components of the computer.
Brushes are a fantastic alternative to compressed air. To clean the laptop fan using brushes, you must first choose the appropriate brush.
You may use somewhat harsher brushes on a fan since it is not as sensitive as a motherboard or other electrical components.
Make sure the rim is clean, as well as each and every blade. Make care to clean the cable connection as well if it has accumulated dust.
Advantages
This technique may be used if you don’t have access to a compressed air can or an air blower.
You may also use a spare tooth brush; however, if the tooth brush has strong fibers, be careful to use the cleaning processor with caution.
Caution
Using a brush that is too harsh may cause the electronics to be damaged.
Cleaning the fan blades and rims should not be a problem, but when cleaning sensitive circuitry with a brush, be sure to use a soft one and use very little pressure.
3. Using Cotton Balls or a Soft Cloth
This is how you can clean your laptop fan without using compressed air. You’ll need a clean, soft cloth for this. You may also use cotton balls or cotton swabs, but be careful not to leave any fabric fibers behind.
Rub the dust off the fan when it’s ready, being care to get all of the surfaces. This implies that even the area underneath the blade must be considered.
Cotton swabs are used in this step. You can squeeze them between the fan blades or around it to get to the hard-to-reach areas if they’re tiny enough. Some components of the fan may need to be disassembled.
Advantages
This technique takes use of items you may already have on hand. As a result, it is considerably less expensive in the long term, and you can do it yourself.
Caution
When wiping down the fan blades, carefully hold it down to prevent it from spinning on its axis. This should make your job a little simpler.
It’s critical that you don’t use too much force when doing so, as you don’t want to harm the fan accidentally. Too much strain on such a fragile component may be catastrophic.
4. Making Use of Rubbing Alcohol
When you have caked dirt on your laptop fan, rubbing alcohol like isopropyl (IPA) may help. To eliminate filth, put a little alcohol on a clean piece of cloth and gently massage the area.
It is suggested that you use the purest form of isopropyl on your electrical components, and you should have no trouble doing so if the purity is 90 percent or above, since it vaporizes rapidly after application.
It can also be used on electrical components, thus if the fan’s controller board is dirty, you may use it to clean it.
Advantages
IPA is a fast-evaporating liquid that leaves no residue. It’s ideal for electrical components as a result. It may be used to clean the fan of everything from dust to grease smudges.
Caution
First and foremost, make sure that all of the isopropyl has dried out before replacing the fan. It’s also worth noting that the alcohol, as well as its fumes, are flammable, so keep the gadget turned off and away from any open flames while using it.
While IPA may be used on metallic components of the fan assembly, it might cause undesired reactions with certain plastics, so don’t use too much on the plastic fan blades.
Cleaning a Laptop Fan Without Using Compressed Air
If you don’t have access to an air compressor or a can of compressed air, you may use a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol instead.
To use the rubbing alcohol, you must first remove the stiff and bulky dust from the fans. Compressed air may help with dust removal, but you can also use a soft brush to lightly clean the fan before using rubbing alcohol or a soft cloth to completely clean it.
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Conclusion
Knowing how to clean a laptop fan is a vital skill that will ensure that your computer runs smoothly.
A can of compressed air may be used for this. You may also take the manual approach and wipe the dirt away with a soft dry cloth. If necessary, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) may be used to the piece of fabric to remove stubborn stains.
Be careful while cleaning the fan, and make sure to separate it from the rest of the motherboard to make your job simpler. The laptop should also be turned off throughout the procedure.
Laptop fans are important to keep your laptop cool. However, they can also be a breeding ground for bacteria if you don’t clean them out regularly. Here’s how to clean your fan on a Lenovo laptop. Reference: how to clean laptop fan lenovo.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean the dust out of my laptop fan?
A: How to clean the dust out of my laptop fan? You can use a vacuum cleaner, or if you have some water and corn starch in your kitchen, just dip a cloth into the mixture. Then, using another towel that is dry dab it on top of the wet one until all the loose stuff has been picked off. Dont worry about getting too much liquid onto your computer-the weight of droplets will cause them fall off quickly before they get anywhere near any sensitive parts like where there are fans or cables
How can I clean my laptop fan without opening it?
A: You can use compressed air to clean out your laptop fan without opening it. Just make sure the nozzle is not touching any part of the computer as you press down on it, and move in a circular motion
Is it safe to clean laptop fan?
A: Yes, you can use compressed air and a cloth to clean the fan on your laptop.
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