Internal Computer Cleaning:
How Often, and How?

Why does dust matter so much?

The cooling system works by transferring heat to metal fins and passing air over them. When dust accumulating between the fins blocks this airflow, the cooler loses its function regardless of its size. The consequences follow in a chain:

If you are experiencing these symptoms in our shutdown guide you can also assess the other possible causes.

How often should it be cleaned?

Instead of a fixed schedule, one should look at the environment. The factors that accelerate contamination are: the device standing on a carpet or on the floor, the presence of pets in the home, a smoking environment, a location exposed to heavy dust, and the case not having a dust filter.

A practical approach: check it once a year, but do not wait if you notice an increase in fan noise or signs of overheating. On desktop cases, opening the side panel and taking a look takes a few minutes and shows the situation clearly.

Required materials

• Compressed air — Compressed air can or electric blower. This is the most basic tool.
• Antistatic brush — A soft-bristled brush to loosen stuck-on dust.
• Microfibre cloth — For surfaces and glass panels.
• A suitable screwdriver set — The correct bit for case and laptop screws.
• Isopropyl alcohol — If the thermal paste is to be replaced, for cleaning off the old paste.

What should not be used

Vacuum cleaner: It generates static electricity and can damage components; it can also pull small parts out of place. Wet cloth: Moisture must never come into contact with the electronics. Household chemical cleaners: They damage plastics and coatings. Compressor: Its pressure is very high and it may contain moisture.

Cleaning a desktop step by step

1. Switch the device off and unplug it. Then press the power button for a few seconds to discharge the residual energy.
2. Choose your work area. If possible, clean the device outdoors or in a place that can be ventilated; the dust will spread into the room.
3. Discharge static electricity. Touch an unpainted metal surface of the case. Do not work on a carpet.
4. Open the side panel and look at the general condition. The places where dust accumulates most are the heatsink fins and the fan blades.
5. Hold the fans still while blowing them out. This step is important: if you leave the fan free, it spins excessively fast in the airflow and this can damage its bearing. Hold it gently with your finger.
6. Clean the heatsink fins. Blow the air outwards through the gaps between the fins. For dust that is stuck, use a brush first.
7. The outer grille of the power supply blow. Do not open the power supply; it contains components that hold a charge for a long time.
8. Remove the dust filters and wash them. Refit them once they are completely dry.
9. Check the cables. If a connector has come loose during cleaning, seat it back in place.
10. Close it up and test it. Visually confirm that all fans are spinning at start-up and measure the temperatures.

Laptop cleaning

With laptops the situation is different. The most effective thing that can be done without opening the device is is to blow compressed air outwards through the ventsWhile doing so, blow in short bursts to prevent the fan from spinning freely.

In laptops, however, dust usually mats together in the narrow gap between the heatsink and the fan and cannot be removed by blowing from the outside. A lasting solution requires opening the device; this operation is markedly riskier than on a desktop, because ribbon cables are delicate, the screws are of different lengths and incorrect reassembly creates new problems. On devices still covered by a warranty, check the warranty terms before opening them.

The overheating causes specific to laptops and the countermeasures in our overheating guide we have covered this in detail.

When is thermal paste replaced?

Thermal paste fills the microscopic gaps between the processor and the cooler and enables heat transfer. Over time it dries out and hardens, losing this function. The symptom is this: temperatures still remain high even though a dust cleaning has been carried out.

The replacement procedure requires the heatsink to be removed, the old paste to be cleaned off completely with isopropyl alcohol and the new paste to be applied in the correct amount. The quantity is critical: too little paste leaves gaps, while too much paste overflows and impairs heat transfer. Securing the heatsink with even pressure after the procedure is equally important.

On devices a few years old, this operation, when carried out together with dust cleaning, produces a marked drop in temperatures.

Measure after cleaning

To see the result of the work carried out, record the temperatures before and after the cleaning. Compare the values at idle and under load. If the temperatures are still high, dust is not the only cause; thermal paste, a fan fault or the airflow inside the case then come into question.

In our service centre we carry out the maintenance as a whole: dust cleaning, renewal of the thermal paste, fan check and afterwards a temperature test under load. We share the measurement results as before and after values; this way the value of the work carried out can be seen concretely.