“I need my gaming laptop cleaned because it’s getting very hot and shutting off randomly. Could you do it today for me?” asked the voice over the phone.
I looked over at the work on the bench, did some quick time-frame estimates in my head and said “Sure, I can fit you in.” Being a bit of a PC gamer myself, I know what being without a computer feels like.
Fast forward an hour and the Acer Nitro gaming laptop is open on the bench and I’ve just disconnected the battery before stripping down the cooling system. The fans are pretty caked up with dust and lint and so are the heatsinks. It’s little wonder it is having overheating issues. I pick up a tiny brush and sweep it along a fan blade. Nothing. The caked on crud is still stubbornly clinging onto the fan. Leaning closer, I give the air vents a tentative sniff. There it is; an unmistakable fruity vape odour. I sigh deeply. This isn’t going to be an easy one. Resigned to the fact that this one’s going to take a lot longer than expected, I start unscrewing the heatsink and fans.
Vaping and Smoking Near Your Computer
We all love our laptops and desktops. They’re our portals to the digital world, allowing us to work, play, connect, and explore. But what happens when our trusty machines start to slow down, overheat, or make strange noises? Often, it’s simply dust build-up, clogging vital components of the computer’s cooling system. However, for those who regularly vape and smoke near their devices, there’s an additional enemy lurking in the shadows: a sticky, nasty residue that can get everywhere.
Vaping and smoking near your computer might seem harmless at first. After all, you’re not actively pouring liquid or smoke into the machine, right? Wrong. The invisible plumes you exhale contain tiny particles that get sucked in by the fan/s in your computer and settle on its internal components. These particles, combined with dust, create a sticky, stubborn mess that can significantly impact your PC’s performance and lifespan.
How Vape Residue Wreaks Havoc
Vaping liquids contain a variety of components, including propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavourings, and in some liquids; nicotine. While these vapours might be relatively harmless when inhaled, they can become a problem inside your computer.
Here’s the breakdown:
PG and VG: These act as carriers for the flavourings and nicotine. Unfortunately, they also have a tendency to become sticky over time, especially when combined with dust. This sticky film coats fans, heatsinks, and other internal components, hindering their ability to function properly.
Flavourings: That delightful aroma of raspberries might be enjoyable to vape, but inside your computer, the flavours simply add to the sticky mess. Some flavourings may even have corrosive properties, which could end up causing damage to sensitive electronic components in the long-term.
Nicotine (if applicable): While not as sticky as PG and VG, nicotine adds another layer of chemicals to the mix. It can also discolour components over time.
The combined effect of these elements is a thick, sticky build-up that:
- Reduces airflow: Fans become caked, hindering their ability to draw in cool air and expel hot air. This can lead to overheating, causing your computer to throttle performance or even shut down unexpectedly.
- Impedes heat transfer: Heatsinks, which are designed to dissipate heat from your CPU and GPU, become coated with residue. This reduces their effectiveness, causing temperatures to rise.
- Increases wear and tear: Components struggling to cool themselves down are put under additional stress, leading to premature wear and tear.
In simpler terms, vaping near your computer is like putting a thick blanket over its internal components; worsening the longer you do it.
Why Cigarettes Are Just As Bad
While e-cigarettes/vapes might seem like the newer threat, traditional cigarettes pose a similar danger. Cigarette smoke contains tar, nicotine, and other harmful chemicals. These elements create a thick, brown residue that coats your computer’s internals as it attracts and holds tight to dust particles. The effects are much like those of vape residue – reduced airflow, hindered heat transfer, and increased wear and tear. Additionally, the strong smell of stale cigarette smoke can linger inside your computer, making it unpleasant to use.
How to Free Your PC from the Sticky, Dirty Mess
If you’re regularly vaping or smoking near your computer and suspect it might be clogged up, you can either attempt clean-up yourself or find a PC repair shop that can help. Of course it’s best to have to a regular computer maintenance schedule before it becomes a major issue.
It’s worth noting that computer repair places may charge extra because the clean-up on these devices can be quite time-consuming as the sticky dust and chemical mixture will not blow off with a compressor or brush off with a soft-bristled brush. As professional computer technicians, in cases like these, we would use IPA (isopropyl alcohol) to loosen up the sticky coating before using stiff bristle brushes and lint-free wipes to painstakingly remove all the build up from fan blades and everywhere else. In some cases, replacing the fans would be recommended.
If you choose to do it your self, here are some tips.
Before You Begin:
- Power down: Always turn off and unplug your computer before opening it up.
- Gather your supplies: You’ll need some isopropyl alcohol (preferably 90% or higher), small hard and soft bristle brushes, cotton swabs, a microfiber cloths, and in some cases, a non-conductive plastic pry tool. A can of compressed air, air blower (like those made specifically for computer equipment) or compressor (with a moisture filter attached) can make things easier. An antistatic wrist strap with a long cable and grounding clip is also a good idea. You probably won’t cause any static damage but better safe than sorry, right? For laptops, a plastic guitar pick or specialized plastic prying tool like a ‘spudger’ is recommended to separate the housing.
- Prepare your workspace: Find a clean, well-lit area with a flat surface.
Opening Up Your Machine:
Desktop: Most desktops have a side panel that can be easily removed with screws or latches. Consult your case/computer manufacturer for specific instructions.
Laptop: Opening a laptop can be trickier. Look for a service manual online that provides specific disassembly instructions for your model. Dell and HP are pretty good at providing service manuals. Simply search by model number or go to the support section of their respective websites and type in the serial number or Service Tag. Failing that, YouTube or iFixit repair guides might be helpful in finding step-by-step instructions for opening your model of laptop.
Warning: opening your computer may void your warranty (if applicable) or you could cause damage if you are not careful and don’t take proper precautions. If you are unsure about the task at hand, seek professional help.
Cleaning Your Computer:
First off: If you are going to be removing fans or other parts for detailed cleaning, make sure to disconnect/remove laptop batteries or unplug your desktop and press the power button for a few seconds (to remove the ‘flea power’ or residual charge) before working. One slip of a metal screwdriver could spell disaster for your laptop or desktop if the battery or power supply is still connected!
Compressed Air: After loosening the worst of the dust with a stiff brush, use compressed air to blow out dust, lint and loose debris from all components, focusing on fans, heatsinks, vents, and other nooks and crannies. Important: Hold the can upright to prevent moisture escaping from the can and avoid spraying directly on delicate components like the CPU or RAM.
Isopropyl Alcohol: For stubborn residue, soak a lint-free wipe, cotton swab or Q-tip with isopropyl alcohol. Gently wipe away the residue, paying close attention to fan blades and other parts of the cooling system.
