How to Clean Your PC Fans

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Cleaning your PC fans is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and preventing overheating. Follow these steps to safely and effectively clean the fans in your PC.

Why Should I Clean My PC Fans?

Cleaning your PC fans can:

Improve Cooling Efficiency: Remove dust and debris that hinder fan performance.
Prevent Overheating: Ensure your components stay cool and operate at optimal temperatures.
Extend Lifespan: Prolong the life of your fans and other components by preventing dust buildup.
Maintain Performance: Keep your system running smoothly without thermal throttling.

Cleaning your PC fans can:

Improve Cooling Efficiency: Remove dust and debris that hinder fan performance.
Prevent Overheating: Ensure your components stay cool and operate at optimal temperatures.
Extend Lifespan: Prolong the life of your fans and other components by preventing dust buildup.
Maintain Performance: Keep your system running smoothly without thermal throttling.

Steps to Clean Your PC Fans

Prepare the PC

Shut down your PC as you normally would.
Remove all cables connected to the PC, including those in the front and back ports.
Depending on your case, the screws may be located at the rear or front. Remove them and gently take off the glass panel.

Gather Cleaning Supplies

Gather your cleaning supplies:
• Compressed air: essential for blowing dust out of hard-to-reach areas
• Clean cloth: for wiping down surfaces
• Dettol Wipes (optional): useful for removing solidified dust buildup.

Gather Cleaning Supplies

Gather your cleaning supplies:
• Compressed air: essential for blowing dust out of hard-to-reach areas
• Clean cloth: for wiping down surfaces
• Dettol Wipes (optional): useful for removing solidified dust buildup.

Clean the Fans

Hold the can of compressed air approximately 15cm (6 inches) away from the fans.
Use your free hand to hold the fan blades still to prevent them from spinning while cleaning.
Use short bursts of air to blow away dust from the fans. Repeat until all the dust is removed.
Clean all the case fans, the GPU fans (refer to GPU Reseat guide if it has to be removed) and the PSU fan if it is accessible.
Use the Dettol wipe (optional) if necessary to remove stubborn dust build up.

Clean the Fans

Hold the can of compressed air approximately 15cm (6 inches) away from the fans.
Use your free hand to hold the fan blades still to prevent them from spinning while cleaning.
Use short bursts of air to blow away dust from the fans. Repeat until all the dust is removed.
Clean all the case fans, the GPU fans (refer to GPU Reseat guide if it has to be removed) and the PSU fan if it is accessible.
Use the Dettol wipe (optional) if necessary to remove stubborn dust build up.

What's Next?

After cleaning your fans, reassemble your PC and plug all cables back in. Power on your PC and check if the temperatures have improved and the fans are running smoothly. We do recommend to clean your fans regularly to prevent dust build up and pair it with the following guide: