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[Guide] How to clean a motherboard?

How to Clean a Motherboard using isopropyl alcohol or air

The motherboard is the heart of your computer because it holds up all the most essential parts like the Graphic card, CPU, hard drive together.

That’s why you should well maintain your computer’s motherboard because even a tiny problem with your computer’s motherboard can impact its performance.

There are a lot of ways to clean the motherboard of your pc. There isn’t a single way that you can use to clean the mobo or other pc components.

The cleaning process depends upon the types of strains/dirt that are present on the mainboard.

If the motherboard has collected too much dirt, it can malfunction, fail or overheat due to a short circuit.

So that’s why it is crucial to keep the mobo of your pc free from dust and clean.

You might wonder how you can clean your motherboard without damaging any of its parts.

Keep in mind that your computer is a sensitive piece of equipment, and even a single mistake or most direct damage can negatively affect its performance.

You must be very careful when you are cleaning the motherboard and read all the steps carefully.

We’ll take care of you, and it’s not that hard.

Best Way To Clean A Motherboard.

Here are the best ways to clean a motherboard.

  • Using Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Using a blower or compressed air

Except for the above ways, we don’t recommend using any other technique to clean your computer’s mobo.

Most people are going to ask if it’s okay to use a cloth or vacuum cleaner.

You can use a specially designed fabric to do the job, but on the other hand, a vacuum cleaner can cause static and damage the motherboard. So it is recommended not to use these kinds of ways.

However, a household fabric tends to leave fibers behind. If there is a lot of dirt on the motherboard, you have to apply pressure to clean it properly, not recommended.

How To Clean Motherboard Using Compressed Air?

The easiest and most straightforward way to clean the mobo is with compressed air.

It is possible to use an air blower that will compress the air without heating it, or you can also purchase a compressed air can.

Once you have taken your computer apart and completely shut it down, you can use compressed air to clean off any dust and dirt.

After using compressed air to clean the dust from the motherboard, you might see some dust particles that are not easy to remove.

You may have to use a soft-bristled brush to clean up the dirt that does not come from blower/compressed air.

You need to brush gently so that you can remove the dust.

As the motherboard is one of the computer’s essential components, it is not easy to clean. So you may have to go back and forth to clean it properly.

How To Clean Motherboard Using Isopropyl Alcohol?

Using an air blower/compressed to clean the dust from the motherboard can be done quickly.

But if you are dealing with sticky stains, you may not achieve the best results.

That’s why Isopropyl alcohol is the best solution to get rid of sticky stains completely.

You should be cautious when you are using Isopropyl alcohol on the motherboard to ensure optimal results.

Cleaning with isopropyl alcohol typically requires that it be more than 90% pure, preferably 99%.

Isopropyl alcohol is best for cleaning because alcohol of this kind dries fast and is non-conductive.

How to apply isopropyl alcohol to clean the motherboard?

There has always been a debate among computer builders and owners regarding cleaning a mainboard with alcohol.

Some folks say to use cotton swabs to clean up the motherboard so you can use the liquid more precisely. Others say not to do it all.

Some people will tell you that you should pour a bottle of Isopropyl alcohol on the motherboard to bathe it.

Use alcohol when you need to clean the electrical contacts and need to remove the dirt/strain.

Using cotton swabs (Coffee filters seem to be a good alternative), apply the isopropyl alcohol to the particles and sticky materials that seem difficult to remove.

Sometimes, on the surface of the motherboard, you might find particles that have stuck.

If necessary, you can also give an alcohol bath.

Also, You can utilize this method when the motherboard is malfunctioning and utterly dead due to dust buildup.

Steps to clean a motherboard

Step 1: Don’t just switch off your computer – shut it completely down so that you don’t get electrocuted.

All wires should be unplugged and the mains switched off.

Step 2: Remove the motherboard gently from the computer after disassembling it.

Don’t pull anything apart or force anything, or you can damage it.

Step 3: You can use compressed air or a blower to remove dust particles and dirt that are easier to remove.

You can also take advantage of soft-bristle brushes for that purpose.

Step 4: The motherboard should be cleaned thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol, with a cotton swab.

The complex, sticky particles will not be removed with compressed air but require constant work.

Step 5: If your motherboard is not fully functional or needs cleaning, you can soak it in isopropyl alcohol.

Step 6: You shouldn’t power the computer entirely or reinstall the motherboard before it’s dried properly.

You can speed up the drying process by using compressed air.

Step 7: The computer must be reassembled again for everything to work correctly.

Pro-Tips to keep in mind:

  • If you clean your motherboard in this manner, you want to make sure that you do everything correctly.

Ensure to clean your motherboard once a year.

  • Before you use any liquid on your computer, it is best to check with the manufacturer if it is still within the warranty period.

Ask the manufacturer if they can help you clean the motherboard since using isopropyl alcohol may void your warranty.

  • Please make sure the computer has completely been shut down and turned off before you begin cleaning. You might damage the device.
  • Use 99% isopropyl alcohol to clean the motherboard.
  • Make sure the motherboard is completely dry before powering it back up to use again.
  • If you have any doubt about how to clean a motherboard, you can seek professional assistance.

Many computer repair shops provide cleaning services, which won’t void your warranty.

Computer enthusiasts should be aware that cleaning the motherboard can sometimes lead to severe damage if not done correctly.

To acquire the methodology, you may want to start with a non-working motherboard before moving to your workstation.

FAQ

Can I use alcohol to clean the motherboard?

Solder and sticky substances can collect on a motherboard. The best solution is to clean it with alcohol.

You can appropriately clean the motherboard by putting one liter of 99 percent isopropyl alcohol in a container and gently putting it in, and giving it a proper bath.

How do I deep clean my motherboard?

Step1: Shut down the computer completely

Step2: Disassemble the computer and remove the motherboard gently.

Step3: Use a blower or compressed air to remove the dust particles or dirt.

Step4: Use isopropyl alcohol to deep clean the motherboard with a cotton swab.

Can I use wd40 to clean the motherboard?

Use compressed air to clean the motherboard. You can’t remove them with any solvents such as WD-40.

How do you clean a corroded motherboard?

For cleaning, we recommend using isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs.

It will remove the corrosion if you gently wipe the area back and forth with the isopropyl alcohol.

What liquid can be used to clean electrical components?

Because it is quick-evaporating and inexpensive, isopropyl alcohol is an excellent PCB cleaner.

In comparison with other cleaners, alcohol contains fewer chemicals.

Cleaning your circuit board with Isopropyl alcohol that has a percentage of 90% or more is recommended.

Which alcohol is best for cleaning electronics?

When used correctly, cleaning and sterilizing electronics with isopropyl alcohol is a safe and effective process.

Can I use 70% alcohol to clean the CPU?

It is acceptable to use alcohol up to 70 percent strength. With 99 percent, dry times will be quick (using an air blower will result in quick-drying), while with 70 percent, it will take a little longer, but not much.

Will alcohol destroy electronics?

It is generally acceptable to use 70% or higher of isopropyl alcohol for cleaning electronics to prevent corrosion.

Can I use a hairdryer instead of compressed air?

No, using a hairdryer could damage electronic parts by heating them, and it may not have sufficient force to push debris out of the way safely.

What household items can be used to clean motherboards?

You can use a screwdriver to remove the side panel of the case. We can use an air blower or a can of compressed air to clean the mobo of your computer.

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Steve Smith MoboNinja
Steve Smith

Steve is MoboNinja’s Editor in chief. He was raised with a quest for the gaming craze. That’s why he describes himself as a dedicated programmer and gamer.

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