How To Ground Yourself To Avoid Destroying A Computer ... - 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 Ground Yourself to Avoid Destroying a Computer with Electrostatic Discharge PDF download Download Article Protect your PC parts from ESD by grounding yourself Co-authored by Richard Taylor and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: May 16, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Preparing Your Work Surface
    • |
  • Grounding Yourself
    • |
  • Video
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  • Expert Q&A
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  • Tips
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  • Warnings
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This article was co-authored by Richard Taylor and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Richard Taylor is an Electrician and Owner of R H Taylor Electrical Services based in Vero Beach, Florida. Richard has over 35 years of professional experience. He and his team offer electrical installation, re-wiring, and repair services. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,597,057 times.

Want to make repairs or add parts to your PC without worrying that you'll short out a vital component? Grounding yourself is an easy way to avoid damaging your computer's delicate internal parts with ESD (static electricity). This wikiHow article will show you how to prepare your work area and ground yourself to avoid destroying a computer with electrostatic discharge.

Safely Avoiding ESD Damage on PCs

To avoid electrostatic discharge when working on a computer, work on a hard surface, preferably while standing on hard floor in bare feet. Use an anti-static wrist band or touch an unpainted metal piece of your computer's case to ground yourself before touching any components.

Steps

Section 1 of 2:

Preparing Your Work Surface

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  1. Step 1 Work on a hard surface. 1 Work on a hard surface. Assemble or take apart computers on a clean, hard surface to minimize static buildup. A table, countertop, or a plank of wood will work fine.
    • Your computer should never be placed on a surface such as carpet, a blanket, or a towel when performing any action that requires you to ground yourself.
  2. Step 2 Stand on a hard floor in bare feet. 2 Stand on a hard floor in bare feet. Carpets and socks can give you a charge. Stand in bare feet on wood, tile, or other hard floors instead.
    • If you don't have the option of not standing on carpet, you'll need to be especially proactive about grounding yourself once every couple of minutes.
    • You can wear rubber slippers to completely block your connection to the floor, but this may be excessive for home projects.
    • Any shoe with rubber soles should also be enough to block your connection to the floor.
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  3. Step 3 Take off all static-friendly clothing. 3 Take off all static-friendly clothing. Wool and some synthetic fabrics are especially good at gathering static, so remove these if possible and replace them with cotton clothing.
    • If possible, wash and dry your clothes using a dryer sheet to minimize static build-up before working on your computer.
  4. Step 4 Humidify in dry weather. 4 Humidify in dry weather. Static electricity is a much bigger risk in dry environments. Run a humidifier if you happen to have one, but don't bother buying one if not. The other precautions should be more than enough on their own.
    • You can also humidify by hanging wet cloth in front of a radiator or fan.
  5. Step 5 Keep all components in antistatic bags. 5 Keep all components in antistatic bags. All new computer components should stay in the antistatic bags they were sold in until ready for installation.
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Section 2 of 2:

Grounding Yourself

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  1. Step 1 Understand how grounding works. 1 Understand how grounding works. To prevent built-up static from transferring from you to a sensitive computer component, you'll need to discharge the static into something more durable. In most cases, this is a metal item that is either touching the floor or touching a series of items leading to the floor.[1]
  2. Step 2 Use your computer's case to ground yourself. 2 Use your computer's case to ground yourself. Most builders use this technique: before touching or installing something that can be harmed by ESD (e.g., the motherboard), place your hand on an unpainted metal piece of the computer's case.
    • You can even lay your non-dominant arm on the metal part of the case while installing the component if you want to be positive that ESD won't harm it.
    • This only applies when working on low voltage equipment such as PC parts. Never try this with other energized equipment; it may result in injury or death.
  3. Step 3 Touch grounded metal objects every couple of minutes. 3 Touch grounded metal objects every couple of minutes. This must be unpainted metal with a clear ground path, such as a metal radiator or the bay shielding on your computer's case. This is the quick and easy option, and many people build computers without taking any other precautions.
    • There's a small but definite risk that this will not be enough. Rely on this only if your project is quick and the components are not valuable.
  4. Step 4 Ground yourself with an anti-static wristband. 4 Ground yourself with an anti-static wristband. These cheap items are sold at electronics stores and in online markets. Wear the wristband tight against your skin, and clip the dangling end onto a grounded, unpainted metal object such as a screw.
    • Do not use a wireless wristband, as these do not work.
    • If you get a wristband with a loop (rather than a clip), it's easy to slip it over the center screw on a wall outlet plate. This is supposed to be grounded (at least in US code), but you may want to double-check with a multimeter.
  5. Step 5 Connect yourself to a grounded metal object via a wire. 5 Connect yourself to a grounded metal object via a wire. A common technique for keeping oneself grounded is tying a conductive wire, such as copper, around one's toe or wrist and then tying the other end around a grounded, unpainted metal object. This is ideal if you have the materials on-hand and don't have a way to work on a hard surface.
  6. Step 6 Work on an ESD mat. 6 Work on an ESD mat. Buy an ESD mat rated for "conductive" or "dissipative", then place the computer parts on the ESD mat and touch the mat as you work. Some models will have a place to clip your wristband onto as well.
    • Go with a vinyl ESD mat for computer repair; rubber is more expensive and not necessary for this purpose.
    • Unless you value your peace of mind highly, this is above and beyond for most home projects.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Can you move around when you're working on a computer? Luigi Oppido Luigi Oppido Computer & Tech Specialist Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. Luigi Oppido Luigi Oppido Computer & Tech Specialist Expert Answer No, I really wouldn't do much walking or shuffling. Whenever I'm working on a computer, I make a conscious effort to keep my feet planted so that I'm not walking, shuffling, or dragging my feet. 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 4 Helpful 25
  • Question What kind of surface is best for working on a computer? Luigi Oppido Luigi Oppido Computer & Tech Specialist Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. Luigi Oppido Luigi Oppido Computer & Tech Specialist Expert Answer Hardwood or concrete is going to be good. Carpeting is going to be the worst option. If you're on a hard surface, make sure it's unpainted. Paint can often make it difficult to stay grounded. 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 3 Helpful 17
  • Question How can I permanently ground myself to avoid electric shock? Luigi Oppido Luigi Oppido Computer & Tech Specialist Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. Luigi Oppido Luigi Oppido Computer & Tech Specialist Expert Answer There are these grounding strips you can buy that go around your wrist that will basically make it impossible to cause an electric shock. That's going to be overkill for most people, but if you work with computer components, that's probably the best way to do it. 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 6 Helpful 27
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Video

Tips

  • Damaging a computer with ESD isn't nearly the concern it was a decade ago. While it's important to take steps to prevent accidental discharge, most modern computer components have plenty of built-in shielding to prevent damage from something as simple as static electricity. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • When handling the CPU, hold it by the edge only. Do not touch any exposed pins, circuitry, or the metal top unless absolutely necessary. Thanks Helpful 1 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

  • Even if you don't notice electrostatic discharge during assembly, small transfers of current could damage your components, lowering their lifespan. In the (rare) worst case scenario, a strong shock can permanently destroy your motherboard. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 1
  • These grounding techniques apply to low voltage PC parts. Never try to touch the chassis to ground yourself when working on other energized equipment. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000137973/safety-precautions-when-working-with-electrical-equipment

About This Article

Richard Taylor Co-authored by: Richard Taylor Electrician This article was co-authored by Richard Taylor and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Richard Taylor is an Electrician and Owner of R H Taylor Electrical Services based in Vero Beach, Florida. Richard has over 35 years of professional experience. He and his team offer electrical installation, re-wiring, and repair services. This article has been viewed 1,597,057 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 44 Updated: May 16, 2025 Views: 1,597,057 Categories: Internal Components Article SummaryX

To ground yourself and avoid destroying a computer, take steps to prevent the build-up of electrostatic discharge around your computer. For example, try to assemble or take apart your computer on a hard surface while standing on a floor without carpets. You should also work in bare feet, which helps to cut down on the static discharged through your body. Additionally, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal piece of your computer's case with your while you’re installing a component. Alternatively, buy an anti-static wristband and wear it as you work. For tips on how to use an ESD mat, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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