How To Clean A PC Fan: Our Guide To Making It Run Smoother

If your fan is making a lot of noise or you’re not sure how to clean the PC fan, then this guide will help you.

A computer fan is an essential component in a PC, whether it's a gaming PC or a regular PC. They keep the components cool by circulating air over them and pushing it out of the case. When it starts making an abnormal or loud noise, it’s time to check the fan for clogs, dirt, and debris. It may need to be cleaned, or in the worst case, replaced.

So, if you want to keep your PC fan running smooth and quiet, then it’s important to clean it periodically - as often as you clean your PC. In this guide, we’ll show you how to effectively clean your PC fan. Let's get started!

How To Clean A PC Fan

If you don’t have a lot of experience with PCs, you may be worried about cleaning the fan yourself. But you don’t need to be. Whether it's your case fan, graphics card fan, or the CPU fan, you can clean it with household tools and a little patience.

The first thing you need to do is get the right tool for cleaning the fan. You will need a can of compressed air or rocket blower, isopropyl solution and a microfiber cloth or a Q-tip. A typical camera lens cleaning kit, like this one from CamKix, usually includes all of these items.

Since compressed air runs out quickly, it's economical to buy an electric duster. This electric duster from MECO is multi-purpose and can be used to clean just about any type of electronic device including keyboards, laptops, copy machines, medical equipment, cameras, and air conditioners.

Steps To Clean A PC Fan

Assuming you have all the right tools, let's start cleaning your PC fan.

1. Start by disconnecting the power supply.
2. Then, open up the case and locate the fan.
3. Now, remove the screws that hold the fan in place.
4. Take the fan out of your computer and place it on a clean, flat surface. Also, wear a mask.
5. Next, use the can of compressed air/rocket blower/electric duster to blow the dust off the fan blades. If you are using an electric duster, make sure it is set on low speed.
6. Once you get rid of the loose dust, dip the Q-tip in the isopropyl solution and gently wipe down each individual fan blade. You can also pour the solution onto the microfiber cloth and wipe down the fan blades.
7. After you are done cleaning the fan blades, place the fan back in the case.

That's it! You will notice that the fan runs a lot smoother and it's less likely to make a lot of noise. It is recommended to clean your PC fan once every 6 months if you want to maintain peak performance. If your fan makes an abnormal or loud noise, even after the cleaning, you may need to replace it.

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How To Clean A Computer Fan Without Taking It Apart

if you are not a fan of taking the fan off the circuit to clean it, you can also use the following method. This method is similar to the one above, except you are using only compressed air/rocket blower/electric duster for cleaning.

1. Start by disconnecting the power supply.
2. Then, open up the case and locate the fan. You might also want to put your mask on.
3. Use the can of compressed air/rocket blower/electric duster to blow the dust off the fan blades. If you are using an electric duster, it's best to use it at the lowest speed.
4. After you are done getting rid of the loose dust, close the case. Well done!

Although this method will do the job, it's not an efficient way to clean the fan. Because scrubbing and wiping the fan blades to remove caked-on dust can be hard if the fan is not taken out of the case. If you are following this method, it is recommended to clean your PC fan once every 3 months.

Read More: How To Clean A Graphics Card

How To Clean A PC Fan Without Compressed Air

Most of the PC fan cleaning guides on the Internet will recommend you use compressed air to clean your fan. But if you are someone who doesn't have a can of compressed air or a rocket blower or any other tools with you, you can use the old-fashioned way to clean your PC fan.

1. Start by disconnecting the power supply.
2. Then, open up the case and locate the fan.
3. Now, remove the screws that hold the fan in place.
4. Take the fan out of your computer and place it on a clean, flat surface.
5. Blow off the dust from the fan blades using your mouth.
6. Once you get rid of the loose dust, take a damp cloth and wipe down the fan blades - until you are satisfied.
7. After you are done cleaning the fan blades, place the fan back in the case.

It should be noted that this method is not as effective as using a compressed air can. Also, the process will be a bit more tedious. Having the right tools will make the process easier and more efficient. Since the cleaning is done often, buying a cleaning kit and an electric duster can be a good investment. Hope this helps!