How to Clean a Computer's Insides Safely

Computer fans pull a lot of dust inside the chassis. If undisturbed, the dust can interfere with ventilation, eventually causing parts to fail. If you have a service contract that covers maintenance, have your computer taken apart and professionally cleaned. Otherwise, follow these steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soft Brushes
• Endust For Electronics
• Can Of Compressed Airs
• Soft Rags
• Dust Masks

1. Check your owner's manual. If the manufacturer has provided specific instructions, follow them.

2. Get any supplies you might need: a can of compressed air, Endust for Electronics or any household plastic or metal cleaning fluid, a soft brush (such as a paintbrush) and an anti-static rag, plus a dust mask if you're allergic to dust.

3. Shut down the computer.

4. Leave the computer plugged into the surge suppressor.

5. Disconnect all peripherals from the computer.

6. Remove the computer cover (see your owner's manual for instructions).

7. Ground yourself to the computer with any professional grounding equipment you have. Otherwise, ground yourself by touching a metal part of the chassis.

8. Spray compressed air on the fan blades, power supply chassis, drive chassis and circuit boards.

9. Gently brush off dust that the forced air didn't dislodge.

10. Brush any remaining dust out from the bottom of the chassis.

11. Spray Endust for Electronics or another cleaning fluid onto an anti-static rag.

12. Wipe the inside and outside of the cover thoroughly.

13. Replace the cover and reconnect the peripherals.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, work in an uncarpeted area.
• Be careful not to touch any chips. Touch as little as possible inside your machine. Static damage (and even oil damage) may cause a failure months after the incident.
• Some sources recommend using a regular or specialty electronics vacuum cleaner. These appliances could cause magnetic damage or static electricity, or dislodge or inhale poorly secured chips or components.

[CelesteStewart]

on 7/14/2009 Definitely give your computer a good physical cleaning! Helps keep it running and cool. I would recommend unplugging it though, especially if opening the case.

Don't forget about cleaning the actual files and defragging the drive. Here's a good article covering the basics of computer maintenance: http://filetonic.com/blog/2009/07/14/cleaning-a-computers-junk/

[jimdris]

on 11/5/2007 Spraying compressed air too close to components will cause frost and/or condensation to form on them. Use short burst from further away to prevent this!

[Jeff]

on 3/24/2007 cleaning- I use compressed air to clean mine, but do heed the warnings about holding the can upright. If you freeze some components, you'll likely be looking at replacing some parts. Cleaning is not extremely complicated, but you should be cautious and make sure no cables/wires come unplugged.

on 1/30/2006 After you've cleaned your computer (or when purchasing a new one), put fabric softener sheets over your air intakes. Generally, these are not the fans, as those tend to blow outward; they're usually just grated holes in the casing. There's usually one in the rear and one in the front (you have to remove the front panel to access the front vent).

on 1/9/2006 The tip about positive air pressure is only helpful when the intake fans are filtered (filter attachments are relatively cheap, and simply screw on to the fan).
If the intakes fans aren't filtered, all the dust and dirt you don't want is just being sucked in faster. Also, remember that the outtake fans should not be filtered, or else you will be trapping in the dust.

Last, you will never have more air going out than in, or your computer will become a vacuum chamber and implode (probably not a good thing). Your best bet would be to plan the airflow so you don't have two intake fans blowing against each other, by putting intake in front and outtake in the back (or vice versa).