Lenovo Tiny / Mini PC Dust Cleaning Guide | Stop Overheating & Faulty Motherboard, by MH_Tech_UK on YouTube. 1 min 53 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 53 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Shut the PC down and unplug the power adapter. Hold the power button for about five seconds to drain the leftover charge.
Let the machine cool for a few minutes, then move it to a well lit table away from carpet so dust does not get pulled back in.
Open the case. On most Lenovo Tiny models you undo the single rear thumbscrew, slide the cover back and lift it off.
Take the cover outside and brush the dust off the vent grilles with a soft brush.
Hold the fan blades still with a finger or a pencil. Give short bursts of compressed air to the fan and the heatsink fins.
Blow air through the outside vents too, working from a few centimetres back so the dust travels out of the case.
Wipe caked dust off the fan blades and housing with a dry cotton swab or microfibre cloth.
Refit the cover, slide it forward until it seats, and tighten the screw.
Plug the adapter back in and boot up. The fan should run quieter and ramp up less under load.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the compressed air can upright so it does not spray cold propellant onto the board.
Never let the fan spin freely under the air blast, as over spinning can damage the bearing.
Clean every six to twelve months if the room is dusty or you keep pets.
Do not poke the heatsink fins with metal tools, as they bend easily and block airflow.
Questions
Can I use a vacuum cleaner instead?
A household vacuum can build static and damage the board. Use compressed air, or a vacuum only with a plastic nozzle held well away from the components.
How do I know the dust was the problem?
If the fan was loud and the PC slowed under load, a clean fan and heatsink usually brings temperatures and noise back down. Check the temperature again after a week.
Will opening the case void my warranty?
On most Lenovo Tiny machines the cover screw is meant to be removed for memory and storage upgrades. Check your model's warranty terms first if the PC is still covered.
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.
