How to clean a Laptops Cooling fans! Help your laptop run cooler then before., by Mr.Darkcore on YouTube. 8 min 36 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 36 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Turn the laptop off, unplug the charger and hold the power button for 5 seconds to drain leftover power.
Ground yourself by touching a metal desk leg, then put the laptop upside down on a soft, clean cloth.
Remove the battery if it is removable. If it is built in, leave it for now and avoid touching the board with metal tools.
Unscrew the bottom panel with a Philips screwdriver and keep the screws in a tray or taped to paper in their layout.
Pry the panel edges gently with a plastic card until the clips pop, then lift the panel away without pulling hard.
Disconnect the battery connector from the motherboard before you touch the fans or any cables.
Unplug each fan cable, remove the fan screws if present, and lift the fans out. Note which way they sit.
Hold each fan blade still and blow short bursts of compressed air through the blades and heatsink fins. Brush loose dust away.
Wipe the vents and fan housing with a dry lint-free cloth. Do not let dust fall back into the laptop.
Refit the fans and reconnect the fan cables and battery. Replace the panel, tighten the screws in a cross pattern, then power on and listen for rubbing.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not let compressed air spin the fan blades; hold them still so the bearings do not over-speed.
Keep the air can upright and use short bursts so moisture does not spray onto the board.
Take photos before unplugging cables so you know where each connector goes.
If a fan feels rough or does not spin freely, fit a replacement fan instead of cleaning it again.
Questions
Can I clean the fan without opening the laptop?
You can blow dust out of the vents, but that only reaches the outside. A full clean of the fan blades and heatsink needs the bottom panel off.
Do I need new thermal paste?
Not for a basic fan clean. Only replace thermal paste if you remove the heatsink, and use the right paste for your model.
How often should I clean it?
Every 6 to 12 months in a dusty home or if the fan gets loud. Gaming laptops often need it sooner.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
