The Computer Power supply is the most important component in a computer as it will not run without it. The power supply is often taken for granted and is usually neglected from the computer maintenance schedule. If there is a dust build up it can cause the power supply to not work to it optimum standards. It may just simply blow up or make a popping sound with some smoke coming from it, or it can half heartedly supply a low level amount of power and damage your other computer components.

The answer is very simple. You must remove the dust from inside your computers power supply. If you do get the dust out often it will last for years.

How to remove the dust from your power supply

Warning: This dust has been known to contain asbestos and other harmful stuff so definitely do not breathe this in. It is better to get a professional to do this.

You will need: An air compressor or a disposable compressed air can and a mask. 

1. Open your computer case. To do it properly read how to open computer cases safely.
2. Use an air compressor to blow air through the power supply. See how to clean inside your computer.
3. You must blow air through the back of the computer, going into the computer, and from inside the computer, through the power supply going out.
4. Keep blowing both ways until absolutely no dust comes out. This is important as you may dislodge a piece of dust and it may settle somewhere else.

Watch this video on how to replace a computer power supply

Cleaning Dust from a Laptop

Yes laptops suck in the dust too and need to be cleaning out. There are usually vents on the laptop and that is where the dust has gone in. I use the same method to clean this dust out. I just continually blow air in one vent for a about a minute, then back through the other vent. I repeat that process until no dust comes out. Of course if you opened the laptop you could do a thorough job but we will leave that to the professional.

Notes on power supply dust:

• If you can Stop A Computer From Overheating then you should do it as overheating caused by dust build up is dangerous.
• There are all different shapes and sizes of power supplies so if yours looks a bit strange, don’t worry. They all do the same thing in the end.
• Dust on computer fans causes them to run at a slower speed. Make sure the fan inside the power supply has not got dust on it. If it has, there is sure to be more inside the computer also.