How To Clean A CPU Fan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Safely Clean Your PC's CPU Fan PDF download Download Article Use compressed air to quickly clean your CPU fan Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Author Info

Last Updated: May 19, 2023

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wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 160,075 times. Learn more...

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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  1. Step 1 Shut down your PC and turn the power off. 1 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.
  2. Step 2 Place the tower on top of an anti-static mat that has been laid on top of a table. 2 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
  3. Step 3 Open the back of the computer case according to the directions in your owner's manual. 3 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.
  4. Step 4 Position your can of compressed air at least two inches from the surface that you are cleaning. 4 Position your can of compressed air at least two inches from the surface that you are cleaning.
  5. Step 5 Clean the fan intakes and the exhaust using short puffs of canned air. 5 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.
  6. Step 6 Spray short puffs of canned air over the fan blades. 6 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.
  7. Step 7 Set the canned air aside and close the back of your CPU. 7 Set the canned air aside and close the back of your CPU.
  8. Step 8 Clean the exterior of your CPU with a damp cloth that has been dipped in soapy, lukewarm water. 8 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.
  9. Step 9 Use a damp cloth to clean your power cords while they are disconnected from a power source. 9 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.
  10. Step 10 Return the power cords to their correct positions and power up your computer. 10 Return the power cords to their correct positions and power up your computer.
    11. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question Does it work for Dell? Community Answer Community Answer Only if you use the USB port. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 33
  • Question Will there ever be a waterproof computer? Community Answer Community Answer There is the potential for one as technology continues to advance. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 14 Helpful 29
  • Question What happens if it doesn't turn back on? Community Answer Community Answer Unplug 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 35
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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 Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • 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 Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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 Helpful 11 Not Helpful 2
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Things You'll Need

  • Can of compressed air
  • Anti-static mat or antistatic wristband
  • Owner's manual for your CPU

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References

  1. http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-5.html

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 160,075 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 15 Updated: May 19, 2023 Views: 160,075 Categories: Computer Hardware | Cleaning Your Computer In other languages Spanish Italian Russian
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Click a star to vote Co-authors: 15 Updated: May 19, 2023 Views: 160,075

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