Like any device that we use every day, our laptops collect dirt, grime, skin oils, and who knows what else.
Most of us know the noise — an overworked laptop fan’s incessant whirling, struggling to keep a computer cool. You might put it down to the old century, thinking that notebooks are always getting more noisy and hotter until they stop working well.
When your laptop gets start overheating and shutting down automatically on its own, it might not be worn out; it might just be dirty and dusty. That, though, need not be the case. Once your laptop starts to get on a bit, overheat and shut down on its own, it may not get worn out-it may be dirty.
No matter how tidy you keep your notebook outside, dust inevitably gets sucked into fans, crumbs fall onto keyboards, and fluff gets into winds.
In this manual, we will guide you on how to clean dust from laptop — step by step approach, but first, let’s clear you how you can disassemble your laptop for the cleaning process.
Designs for laptop models vary considerably. You may generally presume that the same set of devices would disassemble in the same manner, but that is no guarantee.
Design peculiarities may arise because of particular configurations.
In most situations, we may be able to reach the internal parts at the bottom of the case, which you need to clean through panels. For starters, if you can get to the CPU, heat-sink, and fan without having to take your machine apart, then the cleaning process will be much quicker, more straightforward, and less likely to end in tears.
If access to the motherboard is not offered here, you might need to take a deep breath and partly dismantle the notebook.
As we have said, the assembly of laptops varies between brands and models, but there are two main ways to get into most notebooks-either through the top or down.
If you access your machine from the bottom up, you’re in luck. Often these machines are more comfortable to disassemble-at least enough to get access to the bits you need to clean. If your laptop has to be opened from top to bottom, the keyboard will generally have to be removed.
Tips Regarding Removing Dust From a Laptop
1. Tooling up
You have a laptop that requires cleaning and a manual for service. Now what you need are the appropriate tools to get the job started. Of simplicity, we will split these into case opening devices and cleaning tools. To handle and manage the small Philips and flat-head screws found in notebook cases, you will need a set of electric screwdrivers.
You may need to find a set of TORX screwdrivers if you have a Dell or Apple notebook, too.
As for cleaning, when cleaning a desktop machine, you will need similar tools to those you would use. A compressed air can, a soft-bristled brush and a small vacuum cleaner can all come in handy. When cleaning a desktop machine, you will use the vacuum cleaner for less than you would.
Inside a laptop, there is much less space for dust to waft around, so it tends to gather in wads. With a pair of tweezers, those are much easier to remove. Do not be tempted to pick these bits out with your fingers, as grease transferred to electronic contacts can exacerbate hygiene issues on your computer.
Finally, some cotton buds and a bit of surgical spirit are needed. You can get these from Amazon or from a pharmacist.
2. Removing Dust from Under the hood
It is time to remove some real grime with your cleaning kit on ready. Power your laptop down, unplug it off the mains, then remove the battery. We are going to target specific areas which usually need to be cleaned.
The keyboard of your computer is probably the most contaminated part of the machine, with crumbs, dust, and dandruff falling into it all day. Now imagine what it would have to be like below.
Task one is to remove and underneath the keyboard. In most cases, two or three screws can keep the keyboard for the place, hidden beneath a clip-on panel running along the top of the upper case. However, every model of a laptop is different, which is where your service manual comes in.
One last tip before proceeding: ground yourself to dissipate any static charge before you begin work.
Your keyboard will be set at the top end in most setups. At the bottom end, there will be some plastic lugs that slip into slots, so you can usually pull the keyboard device towards you once you’ve removed the screws at the edges. But don’t just yank it out-you are going to damage the connector.
When it is at an angle of about 45 degrees, the ribbon connector should be seen below it. Disconnect from your Main board.
Chances are you’re looking at a lot of metal or plastic covering now, much of it coated in a mixture of dried crumbs, eyelashes, and unexplained tiny grit bits. Who knows how that stuff gets in there but can be used to get it out of your trusty vacuum cleaner.
3. Motherboard and case
In many situations, you’ll find the motherboard under that protective shield. You may be able to access it from the bottom up in some Notebook builds. Be that as it may, the cleaning process needs little subtlety here.
Some holes in the shell can collect dust particles, and these can be removed with your trusty tweezers. Light cleaning with a soft-boosted brush should help eliminate any dust.
Here the real targets are the heat sink and fan of the laptop, where dust tends to gather and can have the most significant impact on performance. If you access these from the top of the case, proceed with caution and make sure you keep track of the screws while removing them.
Some laptops give you direct access through a panel at the bottom of the heat sink and the fans. If that is the case, follow the tips for handling the access panels above.
4. Cleaning Fan
Clean the fan’s face with the cloth, rubbing off dust and dirt gently from the center. As the cloth gets dirty, clean it off or continue cleaning using another part of the cloth. Having a clump of dust falling inside the fan could defeat its cleaning purpose.
If you’ve any question or suggestion which can help people in this cleaning process, feel free to comment below. Thank you