MacBook fan cleaning

Except for the very latest laptops, most MacBooks cannot function optimally without a fan. So you’ll need to treat this important part of the laptop properly. We warn you in advance: you won’t escape a good cleaning. In this blog, we explain exactly how, when and why you should clean a fan.

MacBook fan cleaning

All parts of an electronic device need maintenance from time to time, including your MacBook’s fan. The specialists at ThePhoneLab recommend cleaning the inside of your laptop at least once a year. During this cleaning, be sure to include the fan as well. This way you can avoid an overheated or noisy laptop.

What is a fan

In almost every laptop there are one or more fans, which are responsible for dissipating excess heat. The most important fan is the air cooler for the processor (CPU). Without a fan, a MacBook can overheat, preventing various functions from working properly. In fact, without a fan and safety systems to turn things off when needed, a laptop can be irreparably damaged within minutes! So this component is indispensable – every reason to use it sparingly! How? We tell you.

How do I clean a MacBook fan?

Cleaning a MacBook fan is a short but precise job, and of course is never without risk if you do it yourself. You also need the right (specialized) tools for the job. The following steps will ensure that your laptop will shine and run like new again.

1. Always turn off and disconnect the laptop from power, whatever maintenance you are about to perform
2. Lay the laptop upside down and unscrew the back. Note that you cannot use any screwdriver for this!
3. From the top, open the laptop enclosure
4. Use a lint-free cloth to dust the inside of the MacBook. Absolutely never use a damp cloth! Be careful not to apply any pressure when doing so, as this may cause damage to the fan. For the fan itself it is best to use a small soft and antistatic brush (ESD-safe) in combination with a can of compressed air. When doing this, make sure that the fan does not rotate so block it with your finger while aiming the spray can at it
5. Does the inside of your MacBook shine again? Then screw the case back into place

When to clean MacBook fan

You often notice soon enough when you need to clean the MacBook’s fan(s). The fan may be making a lot of noise, or the laptop may be getting very hot. The cause may be a dirty fan; dust always accumulates faster than you think! But before you immediately take the laptop apart, it’s a good idea to first check whether a dirty fan is actually the culprit. In fact, there are more reasons why a fan is working overtime. You can read about it in the article ‘ ‘Macbook gets hot‘ in ThePhoneLab’s Knowledge Base.

Apple Diagnostics

Is your MacBook having problems, but can’t quite figure out exactly what’s causing it? Using Apple Diagnostics, the laptop itself will look for the problem. Note: on older Macs, this is called Apple Hardware Test.

1. Make sure the MacBook is disconnected from the charger and shut down the laptop
2. Press and hold the power button
3. Once you see “Options” on the screen, release the power button
4. Hold the Command (⌘) + D, after which Apple may ask you to choose a language and network connection
5. Apple is now running diagnostics – you can follow this via the progress bar. With the different reference codes you can discover if your MacBook’s fan is indeed causing problems. With this reference code you can search for a solution

How do I keep the MacBook fan clean?

If you keep your MacBook clean, you automatically keep the fan clean. However, dust can always accumulate inside the laptop. To prevent this as much as possible we advise you not to place your MacBook in bed, on the couch or on a pillow. This will block all ventilation openings, preventing heat and air (and therefore dust!) from leaving the laptop. The best surface for a laptop is a hard and flat surface or, for example, a laptop stand. Finally, and don’t shoot the messenger, frequently vacuuming your house, smoking less and keeping your pet out of the study is the way to keep your laptop as clean as possible. But before you change course: don’t worry, at ThePhoneLab we’re used to a few things 😉

Cleaning and repair at ThePhoneLab

Do you find it difficult to clean your MacBook’s fan yourself or is the fan damaged or even broken? Feel free to drop by in one of our stores or make an appointment online. ThePhoneLab’s specialists can safely open your laptop, clean and repair. Do you use your laptop often? Then we recommend an annual thorough cleaning. This can be done via our special cleaning service, with which our specialists will thoroughly clean your MacBook within an hour. And by!