Most of the internal workings of your computer like motherboard, graphics card, etc are easy to get to. The power supply unit is generally located at the top or bottom of your computer and may be enclosed. Cleaning it properly requires you to remove the CPU from your case. This allows you to clean out the filter, the side of your computer case and it helps stops the dust from spreading around your computer when blowing the dust-off.
The power supply unit is an important component and should be cleaned out at least once or twice a year. A lot of dust and debris will get stuck inside of the unit. The PSU is enclosed with its own dedicated fan and exhaust which both need to be free of hair and dust bunnies. Not cleaning your PSU will lead to overheating and maybe even malfunction putting your whole rig at risk. This is why it is important to clean it out and clean it right.
While it is possible to take apart your power supply, to help clean the inside of the unit. I don’t recommend doing so. This will void any warranty you may have and is a higher risk of breaking your PSU. Not only that but you could get electrocuted and die. It’s simply not worth the risk and time to go through it all. Just following the next steps on how to clean your PSU.
How to Clean your Power Supply Unit
- Turn Power Off
Whenever you are working on the inside of your computer you need to shut down the computer, turn off the power at the PSU and unplug it from the wall. Let it sit for a minute before attempting the remove the side panel of your computer case. This allows any electricity still in the machine to displace and other components to cool down. When working on computers always proceed with caution.
- Remove the PSU
Remove the side panel of your computer, Depending on your computer case there should be screws located at the back that will remove the panel. Locate your power supply unit, normally it is placed at the top or bottom of your computer. It will be where the wall plug meets the computer at the back. Using a screwdriver remove the screws at the back of the computer that connects to your PSU normally there are 4 screws at the back and two on the inside if it is top-mounted.
This will free your PSU from the case once all screws are removed. Unplug the cables that power your CPU, Motherboard, etc. Remember where they go if you aren’t familiar with setting up a computer. If your PSU is top-mounted and you are worried about cable management you can tape the cables to the top of the case while you are cleaning it.
- Tools Needed
Once the power supply is removed from your computer you will be able to clean it. What we are going to need is a can of dust-off, microfiber cloth, and a toothpick. I wouldn’t recommend using paper towels or anything else because they tend to leave particles on the surface that you are cleaning. If you are cleaning computers often then I suggest picking up one of these. a Datavac blower duster. They blow strong and will be cheaper in the long run than buying dust off also has different attachments to get to different t areas in your PC. Remember this is a Blower and not a Vacuum. Never use a vacuum when cleaning your computer because this creates static electricity that will kill your machine.
- Cleaning the PSU
The power supply has an intake and an exhaust. The fan is the intake and the mesh grill is the exhaust. Both of these areas need to be free of any dust and cleaned. Since we removed the PSU from the case we will be able to easily access both of these areas. Make sure you are far enough away from your computer or anything you don’t want dust getting all over. As dust particles will be blown in the air.
Starting with the intake. use your tooth pic to stop the fan from moving. by placing it on the blade and applying pressure. You don’t have to use a toothpick just something small and strong enough to stop the fan from spinning as you blow air into the PSU( Don’t place a metal object or anything highly conductive.). Then Proceed to blow the Dust-off into your PSU. There should be a straw attachment with the can of dust-off make sure you are using it. Try aiming your spray at the corners and interior of the PSU. Spraying should be done in short bursts. Please do not place the straw of the dust off too far into the PSU as this might damage it. Just blow in a short burst going no further than the fan.
- Clean the Fan
Next, remove the pressure from the fan and give a quick spray. to remove any dust on the fan itself. Add pressure again and move to the exhaust of the PSU. Once again try to spray with a short Burst trying to clean as much surface area as possible. I would repeat the process of cleaning the exhaust and intake a couple of times blowing on each side. Until I feel that inside of the PSU is cleaned.
finally, I go over the shell of the PSU with a microfibre cloth. Just giving it a good wipe all over.
- Cleaning Filters and Computer Case
Before we place the PSU back into the computer we need to clean it out. the filters and the case first. For this case, it is rather a simple spray in burst your can of dust-off, until all dust has been removed then give a quick wipe with the microfiber cloth.
The filters can be cleaned in two ways. Normally these get the dirties because they are meant to catch the dust. If it has normal wear because you are regularly clean. Then you can just blow it off with a dust-off. I Recommend taking it outside as along of dust will go everywhere. Alternatively, if it is really dirty and dust off is not working. Then you can clean it with water. Just place it in a bowl and let it soak. Before placing it back into the computer case make sure it is 100% dried out.
Now that you have fully cleaned out the PSU it is time just to put everything back together. You should make sure the rest of the machine is already cleaned. This helps eliminates dust from going back into the PSU as it is blown around your machine. If you tape the cables to the top of the computer make sure to remove the tap and plug everything back in. Generally, a PSU will be clearly labeled on what cable goes into the power supply. Plus the