How to clean computer fans

[wardyy1999]

Hello everyone,

I recently opened my PC case and my rear exhaust fan was dusty and my CPU fan was beginning to become dusty too. How would I clean it and are there any specific ways to clean them?

PS: Not too sure where this was supposed to go so sorry if it has to be moved.

George​

 

[kbrady1979]

Get a can of compressed air, or use an air compressor if you have one, and lightly blow out fins, hubs, heatsinks and everything else. When cleaning off fans, hold them with your finger before you blast them with air so they DON'T spin from the air. If you let them spin freely you can ruin some fans. Always try to blow in short bursts if using cans of compressed air and try to blow dust out the back if possible. You don't want to just knock the dust out and move it around, you want it out of the computer. Also, this is an operation best performed outdoors.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

 

[badger906]

I was them in the sink with water yeah i know booo electricity and water ect.. but actually DC motors and water arent always a bad thing.

When i used to race RC cars, back when brushless motors were science fiction, we used to run our motors in, in a glass of water at low RPM, i cant remember the science behind it or why we did it.. but every one did back then.

buut thats just me, and i always left them to dry for a few days and then gave the motor a blast with some car brake cleaner.

 

[sygnus21]

Keeping it simple... a can of compressed air and or a damp cloth should be all you need.

And in the area of regular maintenance, I would suggest you open your case at least once a quarter (every 3 months) and do a cleaning with a can of compressed air. During one of those cleanings, I would also suggest you check your connections... cards, cables, etc. There's more, but to keep it simple, at least that.

Good luck.

 

[OvenMaster]

I have foam air filters on my PC, and often the dust that still gets past them is very fine so compressed air won't get the dust off fan blades, fan housings or cooling fins. I gently brush these items with a clean soft-bristled toothbrush, and then blast the dust out with compressed air.

 

[Lava King]

I use a half-inch wide soft artist's paintbrush, it gets into those hard to reach places.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I have foam air filters on my PC, and often the dust that still gets past them is very fine so compressed air won't get the dust off fan blades, fan housings or cooling fins. I gently brush these items with a clean soft-bristled toothbrush, and then blast the dust out with compressed air.

Same here, even with the best of filters you get some very fine dust inside. I used to use canned air or if it was bad I used a air compressor. I finally bought a Metro Data Vac, first you vac up as much as possible then put the hose on the other end of the vac and you have a high pressure blower. Considering what canned air cost the Data Vac pays for it's self pretty quick.

For most canned air and a small brush gets 99+%. If you clean every 3-4 months it's a easier job, let it build up and it's a pita.

 

[Stephanie]

Cotton Buds and alcohol works on the hard to move stuff

 

[smarteyeball]

, I would suggest you open your case at least once a quarter (every 3 months)

I used to do it once a month - now I'd be lucky to do it once in a blue moon

But yeah, all these suggestions are good. I almost feel like opening the case for a clean... almost

 

[sygnus21]

LOL.

I was in aircraft maintenance for 26 years so I'm use to scheduled maintenance, thus I approach my PC in the same manor

Anyway it helps keep things running nice and smooth as I also check cables, cards, connections, and leakages.

Oh, and I'm also a cable management neat freak