Dust is a computer’s biggest enemy. It settles on heatsinks and fans, the computer overheats, hums and loses performance. Many people clean it the wrong way, though, and risk damage doing so. Let us explain why a computer should not be vacuumed but blown out, and why you must be very careful with the fans while blowing.

Blow out, do not vacuum

An ordinary vacuum cleaner is not suitable for cleaning the inside of a computer for two reasons. First, it creates static electricity, which can damage sensitive parts (a so-called electrostatic discharge). Second, it is ineffective, because dust clings in the fins of the heatsink, where the suction does not reach. The right way is to blow the dust out with compressed air from a can, an electric blower or a compressor.

Most important: block the fans

Many people do not know this, and this is where the biggest mistake is made. When you blow a stream of air at a fan, it spins much faster than the speed it is built for. A fast-spinning fan then acts like a small generator, and the voltage it produces can flow back into the motherboard. This surge can burn out the fan and the components on the board.

So when blowing, always stop the fan blades mechanically, for example hold them with a finger or put a toothpick between them, or rather disconnect the fan from the board. Never let a fan spin freely from the stream of air.

How to do it safely, step by step

  1. Turn off the computer and unplug it from the mains.
  2. Before working, get rid of static by touching grounded metal, ideally use an antistatic wrist strap.
  3. Go outside or to a ventilated room, you do not want the dust back in the room.
  4. Blow in short bursts and hold the nozzle at a reasonable distance.
  5. Hold or disconnect the fans while you blow them out.
  6. For more stubborn dust use a soft brush, never a wet cloth.

A compressor: what to watch out for

A compressor is excellent, but has its pitfalls. First blow the condensate (water) out of the tank, otherwise you spray it into the computer. Do not use too high a pressure, a moderate one is enough. Dry air is ideal, so a water separator helps. And note that an oil compressor can push a fine oil mist into the air, which does not belong in a computer.

How often to clean

In an ordinary household, once or twice a year is enough. In a dusty environment or where there are furry pets, clean more often. On that occasion it is worth also replacing the thermal paste. More on regular maintenance is in the article on computer maintenance.

Do not feel like doing it, or are not sure? Get in touch, we will professionally clean, re-grease and check the computer.