How to clean laptop fan vents with an air duster
Shut the laptop down fully and unplug the charger. Blow across the vents in short bursts with the X6 on 40K and the needle nozzle, angled so the dust leaves through the exhaust instead of going deeper. Never let the fan spin up from the air.
To clean laptop fan vents with an air duster, shut the laptop down fully, unplug the charger, and blow across the vents in short bursts. On the BLOWZER X6, use the 40K mode with the needle nozzle. Angle the air so the dust comes out through the exhaust vent rather than being pushed deeper toward the fan and heatsink.
A loud fan, a hot underside or a laptop that slows down under load are the usual signs the vents are clogged.
What you need
- The BLOWZER X6, charged over USB-C
- The needle nozzle
- A cleaning brush from the kit
- A wooden or plastic toothpick
- A table you can wipe, or a spot by an open window
Steps
- Shut it down. Use Shut Down, not Sleep. Unplug the charger and any accessories, and let the laptop cool.
- Find the vents. The intake is usually on the bottom, through a grille. The exhaust is the slot on the side or the back where warm air comes out when the laptop is busy.
- Brush the grilles. Brush lint and pet hair off the intake grille and out of the exhaust slot first.
- Keep the fan still. If you can see the fan blades through a grille, rest a toothpick against one so it cannot spin. If you cannot see the fan, keep every burst short.
- Blow out through the exhaust. Fit the needle nozzle, set 40K, and give short bursts into the intake grille at a shallow angle, so the air pushes dust toward the exhaust slot. Then give short bursts across the exhaust slot from the side, never straight into it.
- Check the exhaust. Shine a light into the exhaust slot. If a grey mat of dust sits against the fins, repeat step 5 or see "When to open it" below.
- Wipe and restart. Wipe off the dust that came out, then start the laptop.
When to open it
If the bottom panel comes off with screws and opening it does not void your warranty, a blow-out with the panel off is the most thorough clean: hold the fan still, blow the dust out of the fan and off the heatsink fins on 40K, and refit the panel. If you are not sure, leave it closed or ask the manufacturer's service.
Safety note
- Shut down and unplug before you start.
- Do not let the fan spin up from the airflow. A fan spun hard by air can wear its bearing.
- Do not push the nozzle tip or the toothpick past the grille.
What to avoid
- Long, continuous blasts straight into the exhaust slot. That packs the dust against the heatsink.
- Cleaning while the laptop is asleep, charging or warm.
- 80K or 130K on a laptop. 40K is enough.
Related guides
Cleaning a desktop tower? See How to clean a PC with an air duster. For the keys, see How to clean a mechanical keyboard with an air duster. More about the BLOWZER X6, its three modes and five nozzles.
Questions readers ask
How do I know if my laptop vents are clogged?
The fan runs loud more often, the bottom gets hotter than usual and the laptop slows down under load. Dust you can see in the exhaust slot is the clearest sign.
Can I clean the keyboard at the same time?
Yes, on 40K with the needle nozzle, laptop still shut down. Do not pull laptop keys: their clips break easily.
Is canned air safer for a laptop?
No safer. Tilting a can can spray cold liquid propellant (Techspray); the X6 blows room air at any angle.