If your MacBook has started to get hot enough during operation, then most likely its cooling system is clogged with dust. This happens with all MacBooks and other electronics – there is nothing surprising here. You can easily fix the situation with overheating of the device by cleaning it from dust. In today’s post, we’ll show you how you can do this.
We clean the MacBook from dust!
Opening an expensive device from Apple – this idea will seem to many MacBook owners to be simply delusional, but here’s what we can tell you: it’s much easier than it might seem at first glance. You just need to remove the bottom cover from the laptop and access the motherboard and coolers for cooling. This can be done simply by unscrewing a few screws.
You will need the following items …
Before we begin to explain to you what’s what, you will need to find a few items for yourself. You may already have some of them.
- Five-sided screwdriver. Most MacBooks use five-sided screws, so you’ll need an appropriate tool to unscrew them.
- Compressed air can. Using a jet of compressed air, you can get rid of most of the dust accumulated in the MacBook.
- Ear sticks. They can be used to remove old dust and other contaminants that are difficult to get rid of, even with a powerful jet of compressed air.
- A glass or cup. You will definitely need it to store the removed screws. Believe me, as soon as you turn your back, some screw will take on a life of its own and set off to travel around your home.
Step one: remove the bottom cover
The very first step is the same for all modern MacBooks, with the exception of newer models with touchpads (Touch Bars, as they are also called). Flip the MacBook upside down. Take a five-sided screwdriver and unscrew all the screws located around the perimeter of the MacBook. However, be aware that not all screws are the same length, so you have to remember which holes each screw was in.
Once you unscrew all the screws, remove the back cover from the MacBook, being careful when doing this. Some MacBook models may have small latches on the lid, but they are easy to open with a little force. After all, these are simple latches that can be found in other electronics as well.
Step two: look inside and find coolers
As soon as you remove the bottom cover from the MacBook, you will have access to the insides of the device. Now is the time to take a good look around and find the dustiest areas. However, it is unlikely that it will take you a lot of time, especially if the MacBook is not new and you have never done anything like it.
Ok, now you need to find coolers for cooling. Depending on the MacBook model, you may have one or two coolers, but you can easily find them: a round turbine. The cooler will contain the greatest amount of dust, as it sucks in air inside the device case.
Step three: blow dust out of the case
So, take a jar of compressed air and lightly start blowing out the dust from the places where you could find it during the examination. And this should be done lightly for the reason that a strong jet of air can damage some of the internal components of your MacBook. Be careful.
When cleaning coolers from dust, hold the blades in place with your finger so that they do not rotate along the stream of air, which, by the way, can also harm them. Again, do the cleaning very carefully! And if you come across areas where there is particularly harmful dust or dirt, then take a couple of ear sticks and walk over them.
Once you are finished cleaning your MacBook, place the back cover back on the case, close any latches, if any, and tighten all the screws in their places. This completes the cleaning of the MacBook. As we said at the very beginning of the article, there is nothing complicated in the cleaning process.