Put a Stop to the Noise

Are your PC fans making a racket? Learn how to get rid of the noise and improve your PC's performance.
August 2011
by Robin Wark

If your computer's fans are getting louder and louder, the problem could be that they, and possibly other components, are quite dirty.

Dirt, dust, crud and pet hair can pack into your computer. This causes poor airflow, which can lead to overheating and impaired performance. It is important to clean this out on a regular basis – about twice a year on average. Below we detail some common ways to clean your PC to keep it cool and operating at its best.

Safety first
Before cleaning your computer, it is important to protect yourself against being shocked due to static electricity. It is best to remove all metal jewellery, including watches with metal bands, before you start the job. Some people use a static strap that attaches to your desktop computer's metal chassis and then to your wrist. You should try to keep good contact between yourself and the chassis and not to move around a lot. Of course, make sure your computer is off before you start cleaning.

You might be surprised by how much dust can accumulate in your computer. When you clean it out, it needs to go somewhere. You want to do the cleaning in a well-ventilated space. As well, you might consider wearing a dust mask. It will help if you suffer from allergies as well as helping you avoid getting a big mouthful of dust.

Also, be sure to blow dust away (using compressed air) rather than suck it up. Vacuums create static electricity, which can hurt your computer components. You also do not want to put your vacuum on reverse. The dust in it could be harmful to you and your PC.

Check your warranty. Some of the instructions below involve opening certain parts of your computer. This might void or alter your warranty.

Cleaning your laptop
After powering down, removing the battery and AC adapter, flip over your laptop and look for an access panel near an air vent on the outside panel. It can vary by manufacturer and model, but many laptops now feature panel-accessible fans.

Once you can see the fan, you can use cotton swabs, such as Q-tips, to clean. Compressed air can also be used. Be cautious about spraying it right on the fan. There have been some reports of fans being damaged because the air forced them to turn faster than they should. You could use a cotton swab to hold the fan in place while you use the compressed air.

Cleaning your PC
Open the case of your tower or desktop PC by using a Philips screwdriver to remove the three or four screws holding on the cover. After removing the cover, disconnect the power cord from the back of the computer. Having it connected while you remove the lid helps keeps things grounded.

Use cotton swabs or air to clean any air vents on the case as well as the cover that you removed. Be sure to clean the vents on the Power Supply Unit (PSU), which should be contained in its own box on one side of the case. Never attempt to open or stick anything metal into the PSU.

Use a swab or a pencil covered in insulating tape (also known as electrical tape) to hold the PSU fan still while you clean it with compressed air. You can also try carefully cleaning it with a cotton swab.

Follow the same procedures to clean the Central Processing Unit (CPU) fans, case fans and video card fans. Some thorough users like to use glass cleaning fluid to wipe down the surface of each fan blade.

You can also use the compressed air or cotton swabs to clean the various heat sinks in your PC. These help keep your components cool by dissipating the heat into the air. They are generally made of aluminum and can be identified by their look and the fact they often have fins.

In order to clean the video card area thoroughly, you might want to remove the video card. When you do so, be sure to keep good contact with the PC chassis to reduce the static electricity buildup. Rest the card on the chassis while you are working. After cleaning the fan, use the compressed air to blow out the video card slot. Once you are done, carefully reinsert the video card and ensure that it is screwed or latched into place, depending on the model.

Cleaning your fans and other computer components is a simple, straight-forward process. It can take some time twice a year, but it pays off with a cooler, quieter and better performing PC.

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