Cleaning macbook pro fans

TriggerHappy

TriggerHappy

Suspended / Banned
Messages
4,729
Name
Jamie
Edit My Images
Yes
I've had my MacBook pro 17" for a good 18 months now and I've started to notice it's getting hotter faster than it would do previously. Most of the time it's flash sending it crazy on YouTube videos and the like but I suspect the fans have picked up some dust over the months and it'd be worth cleaning it out inside to prevent the CPU reaching such high temperatures. How best can i clean the fan mechanism? I'm assuming because you can take the back off to change HDD and RAM without affecting the warranty I'm fine to clean the fan myself? Anything else I should know?

Thanks!
 
Hi we advise customers to buy a air blaster aerosol can and just blast in down the back of the bottom case by the hinge. You dont need to remove anything as ideally you'd want a esd safe Hoover to clean the insides
 
I did it a couple of hours ago and just used a rocket blower I had for my camera gear. It doesn't create a huge amount of pressure but it did clear out a reasonable amount of matted dust and things seem a lot cooler now. It's also given me the confidence to go ahead and upgrade the RAM from 4GB to 8GB having had the chance to pop one out and see how easily it comes in and out!
 
I just open mine and put the Hoover in it.
 
Yes absolutely. Done that for years. Just put the fluffy nossle on it and go over it.

I've got a mini Henry on my desk use it on the keyboard as well.
 
Hoovers create a lot of static - you can fry parts doing that. If it works for you... well.... interesting :lol:, but each time you do it you're risking key parts in your laptop.

It's a rather risky method of cleaning computers...
 
someguy201 said:
Hoovers create a lot of static - you can fry parts doing that. If it works for you... well.... interesting :lol:, but each time you do it you're risking key parts in your laptop.

It's a rather risky method of cleaning computers...
Click to expand...

have to agree, hoovers produce a hell of a lot of static and it would be foolish to put it anywhere near static sensitive equipment.

rocket blower is probably the most sensible suggestion.
 
I also use hoover on my laptop. It does the trick. Of course turn the the laptop off first before hoovering.

Edit:
been doing it for years without any issues, even on my PC.
 
Last edited:
strobemonkey said:
I also use hoover on my laptop. It does the trick. Of course turn the the laptop off first before hoovering.

Edit:
been doing it for years without any issues, even on my PC.
Click to expand...

Exactly, mine is switched off and battery out ofcourse. Do it on the PCs and other equipment as well. In fact most of the hardware guys I know have a hoover in their van, how else do you get the dust out of the fans etc...
 
I use a hoover too, never been a problem and only got a new macbook pro cause i spilt coffee all over the last one.
 
static doesnt care if its turned on or off youre still running the risk of nuking a component.

your hardware, your choice though. mind you a "hardware guy" should know better, speaking as someone in the industry.
 
Last edited:
If you think it's worth the risk, go for it. As Neil said, your hardware.

I always use a brush myself. Fairly easy to access the fan and heatsink on all my computers to brush the dust out.
 
neil_g said:
static doesnt care if its turned on or off youre still running the risk of nuking a component.

your hardware, your choice though. mind you a "hardware guy" should know better, speaking as someone in the industry.
Click to expand...

You are quite right, however Hoover or not surely you and the electronics are grounded when you take it apart?

I mean if you weren't you have far more worries than a Hoover.
 
On my non Apple laptops I just press the vacuum hose (Dyson) up against the intake vents and suck the dust backwards out of them. Seems to work well enough. For the PC I open up and shove the thing inside. No harm to date.
 
It's the static that will fry your parts - not the electric current for the motor. The electric circuit is grounded, but as it takes in air a large amount of static is produced. Doesn't harm people - but laptop parts are a bit more delicate.
 
someguy201 said:
It's the static that will fry your parts - not the electric current for the motor. The electric circuit is grounded, but as it takes in air a large amount of static is produced. Doesn't harm people - but laptop parts are a bit more delicate.
Click to expand...

I meant the laptop of course duh! All hoovers are grounded, but the equipment isn't when you unplug them to work on them surely you ground that?
 
dejongj said:
I meant the laptop of course duh! All hoovers are grounded, but the equipment isn't when you unplug them to work on them surely you ground that?
Click to expand...

Hoovers electrics will be grounded but not the nossle and the static it will hold.

I always discharge myself before working on computers, servers etc
 
someguy201 said:
That's what I was laughing at. :lol: (Well, partially...)

You seriously clean your computer using a hoover?
Click to expand...

Me too, well not a Mac of course.

Done it for years on loads of computers.

Stick on a wrist-strap, bung a bit of tubing and tape on the suction end and clean CPU coolers to your heart's content.

I thought you were up on computers?
 
someguy201 said:
Hoovers create a lot of static - you can fry parts doing that. If it works for you... well.... interesting :lol:, but each time you do it you're risking key parts in your laptop.

It's a rather risky method of cleaning computers...
Click to expand...

There sounds the theoretical voice of reason backed up by Neil, I see.

Computers are a lot hardier than you think.

Must have cleaned well over 70 as per my other post with absolutely no problems whatsoever!
 
neil_g said:
Hoovers electrics will be grounded but not the nossle and the static it will hold.

..........
Click to expand...

So you don't think a wrist-strap, with the PC, laptop left plugged in but unpowered, will do that job then?

I know from experience that you and someguy are so wrong on this one.

Perhaps a wee listen to other posters on this thread ?
 
Last edited:
Stick on a wrist-strap, bung a bit of tubing and tape on the suction end and clean CPU coolers to your heart's content.
Click to expand...

That's not the same as saying "Clean it with a hoover". If you're going to take proper precautions to prevent static nuking your parts - then fine. However - make the proper precautions really specific when advising users who might not do the same.

I have seen parts fried by static before, it gets expensive if you're not careful.
 
neil_g said:
Hoovers electrics will be grounded but not the nossle and the static it will hold.

I always discharge myself before working on computers, servers etc
Click to expand...


:agree:


The hoover's pipes and cylinder can act like a lydon jar, storing up static until either it discharges through your fingers or a component on your computer, it is a risk to clean it that way.

I use the ifixit guides to dismantle the Macbook, remove and clean the fans with a brush, maybe even a re-paste of the CPU could be in order, while it's apart :)
 
someguy201 said:
That's not the same as saying "Clean it with a hoover". If you're going to take proper precautions to prevent static nuking your parts - then fine. However - make the proper precautions really specific when advising users who might not do the same.

I have seen parts fried by static before, it gets expensive if you're not careful.
Click to expand...

Ahem, you should do that anyway so why mention it specifically. If you don't know that basic stuff or assume someone else doesn't when they post yet take their macbookpro apart then come on.

So are you now all of a sudden fine with hoovering it put?

Ps. Risk is also a lot less when one wears natural clothes I stead of the man made fibre rubbish.
 
Mikesphotaes said:
So you don't think a wrist-strap, with the PC, laptop left plugged in but unpowered, will do that job then?

I know from experience that you and someguy are so wrong on this one.

Perhaps a wee listen to other posters on this thread ?
Click to expand...

err no. if youve got the hoover nossle banging against the RAM where is that static going to go even with the PC power lead connected? through the RAM to the earth.

anyway, laptop power supplies dont have an earth.

any IT professional worth hiring should have a healthy respect for static.
 
Ahem because the laptop is already grounded when you work on it surely. Any it professional knows that you should do that ;)
 
dejongj said:
Ahem because the laptop is already grounded when you work on it surely. Any it professional knows that you should do that ;)
Click to expand...

not disputing that. but again if youre poking around in an open case with a static charged item like a hoover that static is going to go through the component regardless of whether its earthed or not.
 
quote google:

The air and/or dust rushing past the nozzle of your hoover causes friction, which charges it up with static electrictiy.
(The same way when you rub a balloon on your jumper, or walk across a cheap nylon carpet)

The static on the end of the hoover, quickly builds up to thousands of volts and then, if you get too near the delicate components on your motherboard, it will cause a big spark to jump, damaging your computer.
Click to expand...

so there'll be a constant build up of static on the nozzle while the hoover is running.

also worth mentioning that static can kill components instantly. however those saying "ive done it loads of times and its fine" it can also, although not killing instantly, reduce component life.
 
Last edited:
neil_g said:
err no. if youve got the hoover nossle banging against the RAM where is that static going to go even with the PC power lead connected? through the RAM to the earth.

anyway, laptop power supplies dont have an earth.

any IT professional worth hiring should have a healthy respect for static.
Click to expand...

A wee story about RAM........

Many years ago, I wanted to add more RAM to my computer.

Off I went to the local car boot on a drizzly Sunday morning.

There, in all their glory, were a couple of sticks of RAM lying on this table.

This fella had just liberated them from an old PC without regard to wrist straps etc, no antistatic bags, just lying there nice and wet!

I couldn't believe it and we had a long conversation about static precautions, at the time I was in the same camp as you and Someguy.

Anyway, after negotiation, the RAM was mine for a couple of quid.

Back home, dried out the RAM with an old towel and a hair-drier then stuck one into my PC (strangely enough, I did earth myself first on the radiator).

Ram stick worked just fine as did the other stick, in fact I might still have it in my spares drawers.

That was when I realised that Static was not all it was Crackled up to be:D
 
Lol yes risks are there with everything in life. I remember the days we had to take different planes in the company. Yet does anyone do their with their arguably more precious family/children?

Of the thousands of machines touched of the years and it never actually causing any damage I would put it down to an accident if it happens one day rather than a routinely real danger.

Of course I an not wearing a nylon fake footie shirt, nor are on plastic shoes or nylon based trousers etc. if on questionable carpet instead of a proper connected desk etc I do take more care.

But ultimately each to their own, one group seem to be saying it never happened to them because they don't do it. And another group seem to be saying it never happened despite them doing it. Take your pick in consulsions, ultimate if you don't know how to safely open a MacBook (Pro) regardless for cleaning purpose or not, perhaps you should leave it.
 
Last edited:
neil_g said:
quote google:



so there'll be a constant build up of static on the nozzle while the hoover is running.

also worth mentioning that static can kill components instantly. however those saying "ive done it loads of times and its fine" it can also, although not killing instantly, reduce component life.
Click to expand...

Never seen any sparks in all the time I have been cleaning PC's and your last statement about reducing component life seems a rather smug attempt to prevent further argument.

I've certainly never noticed further component failure but who knows how long the lifespan is?
 
neil_g said:
.........to suggest that sort of handling would always have a positive result would be misleading however ;)
Click to expand...

It would indeed but that experience was just to show you that theory and practice don't always work hand in hand;)
 
Mikesphotaes said:
Never seen any sparks in all the time I have been cleaning PC's and your last statement about reducing component life seems a rather smug attempt to prevent further argument.
Click to expand...

yes im trolling as i have no experience in anything IT related. ever. :thinking:

like i say, its your hardware you can do what you like at the end of the day. im offering advice based on many years (too many) working in IT. take it or leave it, to be honest i dont care.
 
Mikesphotaes said:
Never seen any sparks in all the time I have been cleaning PC's and your last statement about reducing component life seems a rather smug attempt to prevent further argument.

I've certainly never noticed further component failure but who knows how long the lifespan is?
Click to expand...

from someone else in IT :thinking::thinking:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top