How to Clean Vents on an iMac

Prevent excessive heat in your iMac to reduce the risk of damage.

Excessive heat poses a serious threat to electronics since the internal components are so tiny and can melt or short out. The iMac is especially susceptible to overheating since all components are packed tightly together. Factors that contribute to excessive heat include using your computer in a warm environment, blocking the vents where the fans circulate air or dust, clogging the vent. Clean the vents on a regular basis to prevent dirt and dust buildup and to keep the internal temperature of your iMac within safe levels.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton cloth
• Cotton swabs
• Vacuum

Instructions

1. Shut down your iMac computer and unplug it from the wall.

2. Lay the computer face down on a flat surface. Place a large cotton cloth down first to prevent scratching the LCD screen.

3. Use cotton swabs to remove any caked dust on the bottom air valve.

4. Vacuum the vent to pull loose dust particles out of the iMac. Use the hose attachment.

5. Look beneath the stand. Locate the vent which is often overlooked while cleaning. Clean it with cotton swabs, then vacuum the loose dust out.

Tips & Warnings

• If you continue to experience shutdowns due to heat, run your iMac near a fan and keep the room temperature down.

• If vacuuming the vents out doesn't help, contact Apple support. The iMac is not designed to disassemble at home and may have dust in the system that you can't remove yourself.

References

• Mac Instruct; How to Clean Your Mac (On the Cheap); Eric Buczynski; February, 2007