How can I prevent dust from accumulating inside the cooling system of my laptop? IntroductionGaming laptops and heavily used workstation laptops move a large volume of air for cooling. This airflow removes heat, but it also inevitably draws in whatever is suspended in the surrounding air: dust, textile fibres and, depending on the household, pet hair. This cannot be completely avoided. This article provides a few tips on how to mitigate dust exposure.SetupIf possible, position your laptop so that the air intakes can breathe freely and the device is not sitting directly "in the dust" on the tabletop. A free-standing laptop stand is generally a sensible investment because it increases the distance between the air intakes and the surface below. In addition, the cooling efficiency can benefit from the improved airflow, which in turn may slightly reduce fan speed. Lower fan speeds will reduce overall dust exposure, because less air movement means less dust passing through the cooling fins. See also:Relatively high fan noise at seemingly low loadIf a laptop stand is not available, we recommend using a hard, smooth, clean tabletop. Textile blankets, sofas or beds are unsuitable, as they block the air inlets and shed lint and fibre, which then get trapped inside the laptop.EnvironmentThe room environment can also be a decisive factor. Proper cleaning and a reduction of typical sources of dust (e.g. large amounts of textile in the office) will help significantly. Textiles store large amounts of dust, which are released into the air when shaken. If a PC or laptop is used in the bedroom or children's room, it is advisable to do the shaking of pillows, duvets and blankets only outside - i.e. not inside the room.Houseplants can also help bind dust in the air, but they must be cleaned regularly with a damp cloth as well.The cleaner the desk and the immediate surroundings, the fewer particles end up in the airflow.Cleaning tipsInstead of dry wiping desks and other furniture surfaces, we recommend using a damp or even wet cloth. This binds the dust instead of merely stirring it up and redistributing it around the room.PetsPets inevitably contribute to dust levels and can accelerate dust buildup in confined spaces, such as the cooling system of a PC or laptop. Cat hair and fluff in particular act like a catalysator, quickly settling in airways and trapping additional dust.In practical terms, this means keeping animals away from your desk if possible and not placing baskets or blankets directly next to your setup. In households with pets, more frequent visual checks of corners and gaps, and subsequent cleaning, are essential.Moisture and smokeHigh humidity and additional pollutants such as cigarette smoke, candle soot or oily kitchen vapour can cause dust particles to become "sticky", causing them to bind more strongly to fans and heatsinks. Such deposits are more difficult to remove with compressed air and can impair cooling performance more quickly than dry, loose dust. In these environments, shorter cleaning intervals and good room ventilation are recommended in order to keep the pollution level of the intake air as low as possible. In addition, an air purifier with a suitable filter (that needs to be changed on a regular basis) can further reduce particle exposure.How often should I remove dust from my cooling system?This depends heavily on the environment and usage profile. How high is the dust load in the air and on the desk surface? How often is the system in operation, and how frequently is it under full load? What is the humidity level, and are there other pollutants in the air, such as smoke? In general, we recommend inspecting the cooling system after the first year of use. If the system is used intensively, even a regular six month schedule might be advisable.Detailed instructions are provided in these FAQ articles: How to clean the cooling system Instructions for use of compressed air spray When inspecting the cooling system, it is important to note that the largest accumulation of dust in the cooling system is not on the fans, but on the fins inside the heat sinks. This dust layer is not immediately visible to the naked eye, as the inside of the heatsinks is covered by the cover plate of the respective fan.For this reason, using compressed air spray can be worthwhile even if the laptop does not appear particularly dusty at first glance.