Dell XPS Laptop Fan Cleaning - Overheating Issue Solved

[@ParadiseTech]

I have a bachelor of Science degree from N.I.U. in communications actually. I was hired to work in a T.V. station right out of school, worked as a photog and marketing person. Then was moved into the I.T. dept because of my skill sets (this was 12 years ago) I have been in the tech field now for most of my working career. I worked with an old school TV tech, who showed me how to solder and use a o-scope. Been self employed ever since 2007.

[@christopherking519]

I have an XPS M1300 which I've had now for over six years, which I still love, but for the past two years has been running increasingly hot. The fan's always in high gear, performance has been on the downgrade, and I've always suspected its because the CPU is just no longer getting cooled effectively with the little bit of ventilation the design affords due to dust and the like. But until watching Brian's video, I was always gun shy about opening up the back and trying my hand at doing a cleaning. However, this step-by-step video was absolutely terrific and provided all the details I needed to do the job. With just the purchase of a handful of a few supplies for less than twenty dollars, I was able to safely open the laptop, clean out all the dust, and re-apply fresh new thermal paste to the CPU/fan interface to make for a vastly more effective heat transfer. Now my XPS M1300 is running like a new machine. Thanks Brian for an awesome How-2!!!

[@FransCuppen]

Christopher check out my advise above, concerning cleaning the INSIDE as well as the blades of the fan!

[@sandswimmer]

Great tutorial! Followed this step by step and now my old XPS, which would start overheating within minutes, is running at normal temperature still after one hour of use. Thank you!

[@retroelectr0n]

First off thanks for the excellent video, I used this as the baseline for cleaning out my m1530 today and it's running much cooler. Regarding your comments on lighter fluid or naphtha, these are generally safe to use for this purpose long as you're not cleaning plastics or rubbers. In my experience lighter fluid evaporates more quickly and more cleanly than high purity rubbing alcohol as well as being a more powerful solvent but has the potential to damage or melt certain plastics and rubbers. Thanks again for sharing, keep em coming!

[@walterdurham5645]

I like your video my friend. I've been in the computer field for over 20 years and now I troubleshoot and repair computer systems for a Global Company. My daughters Dell XPS-1530 laptop has a few issues and thanks to yours and other videos I've seen I will do the repair myself and save hundreds of buck in labor costs. Thanks for your insight.

[@supermarkbriggs]

Thanks a ton bro! Your video helps me a lot here in the Philippines. My Dell studioxps is now operating well because of your kind help.

[@VortexMotiveVision]

Very helpful - My XPS17 has been suffering from overheating crashes - So, I'll get right on this. Thanks for the video!

[@ParadiseTech]

Thanks so much! The Swiss Army knives are great! Go Macgyver! Thanks for commenting!

[@YichuanCao]

I have a pretty nice Swiss army knife. Guess that will work when doing most of the prying and unscrewing. Anyways, nice videos and what a great channel. My past few hours well spent.

[@P5YcHoKiLLa]

Wow this is amazingly oversimplified, other Dell laptops are nowhere near as tinker friendly, like the L501X, you need to take that whole thing apart to get to the CPU fan. Viewing angle on that screen is horrible too, I thought the display was broken when you restarted it.

[@MikeAtCirrius]

Very helpful video! Laptop is running 40 degrees cooler now! Thanks again!!

[@Dicofol1]

Great video, thanks. Is there a thermal paste that will last longer than others ?

[@hylandern01]

Great video, My wife's laptop has this overheating problem and really effects the laptops performance. So I bought the thermal compound and it has done it's job so far. However the HDD & and WLAN chip gets very hot. How can I fix this if at all possible ?

[@coolsean602]

That is way to much thermal compound for a laptop chip. Its not going to effect performance but its better to save the amount of thermal compound you have.

[@lorenzvader7918]

My temps dropped 20°C nice video!

[@urdandman313]

Nice video. Have you every had a complaint about overheating because you didn't replace the thermal pads? I have a Dell XPS M1730 and I removed the Ageia physx video card, but the thermal pads remain intact. Should I replace or reuse?

[@BrianWernham]

Very good video - thanks from me in London, UK. What are those useful tools called - I heard you say 'spudgers' (but my hearing can be dodgy!) Brian

[@ParadiseTech]

Yeah, Spudgers! Also known as "Black Sticks" Very useful tool. You can get them on Amazon or eBay.

[@Smart-Skippy]

Pronounced "Spud-Jer"... Odd name and not absolutely essential. They are like plastic fast food knives but in non brittle plastic ! Polypropylene ? Polyethylene ? Often supplied free with screwdrivers when purchasing replacements screens for cell phones. You can safely use nearly any stiff plastic with a perpendicular face. Ideally a very flat leading edge is great for face cleaning. Automotive plastic filler appliers are an easily available substitute. Just test with the cleaning solution you plan to use. Isoproply Alcohol (Ethyl Alcohol). You could also use an EDT "Eau De Toilette" (Fragrance with high ethyl alcohol content !)

[@garethjames8553]

Nice and easy to follow instructions. One of the best I've seen. Full marks, thanks

[@dstein111]

Great video.. I admire how organized u are!

[@guyb6665]

Also thanks, I'm replacing my broken screen for mine today but will definitely do this also. Getting way too hot

[@lemmy1736]

hello. Nice video. Can You please give me some tip for my Dell XPS L502X, ? I have it for 2 years now. I have never opened it before to clean it. I guess it needs some cleaning. Especially now. I live in Austria and surprisingly here there is a lot of dust, by the way.

[@charliep74]

I've had my laptop for a year, should I do this now, if not how long should I wait to to this? I just clean out my fans, but never gave thought to remove the old thermal paste.

[@williamusher]

If my fan is being temperamental - working some days and not others, 'revving' loads at certain times - do you think that would be solved by replacing it? Or could it be something else such as a sensor (not sure exactly). Hope you can help! Cheers

[@chiragpatel2351]

Great video. Did exactly what you did, had alot of dust and dirt on the fan so got that cleaned thoroughly but my laptop still heats up. does not get baking hot like before but enough to cause stress. Any ideas?

[@ParadiseTech]

Did you replace the thermal paste? Also look into a free program called SpeedFan. It can help you determine what your temps are and if you need to replace the fan.

[@chiragpatel2351]

Hi. Thanks for reply. Appreciate it. I changed the thermal paste. It has got a lot cooler but seems to heat up the touch pad area. Any ideas? 

[@ParadiseTech]

Is your hard disk right near the touch pad? I can't remember...

[@chiragpatel2351]

It is on the right hand side of the touch pad.

[@chiragpatel2351]

Sorry. My mistake. It's on the left hand side.

[@oranneecadena]

Hey Brian if I can't hear my fan should I replace it yes or no?

[@mukwah1111]

Thanks so much for this great video. It has helped immensely. I just need to get some thermal paste then I will be cleaning my fan and setting back up. Cant thank you enough. All the best.

[@joseoramasm.26]

good video, hope this solve my problem with the dell l401x overheating problems.

[@StaffRecordPlayer]

proper instructions. guess it is a bit late to ask but could you do that for the Dell XPS L702X too please ;)?

[@zedazlt]

ive got L702X too, there is another video for replacing the fan, way too many screes and pieces to do that

[@FransCuppen]

Dust will always clutter on the inside of the heatsink, at least in all laptops I serviced so far. So after disassembling the heatsink + fan you will always have to open the fan housing and take the fan out first.

[@SohrabKhan]

Do you have the videos that show how to repair the horizontal split screen in XPS1530?

[@guyb6665]

Would spreading the thermal paste evenly before putting the fan back on make any difference? I've got NFI about this kind of stuff but you surprised me when you just out the fan back on

[@ParadiseTech]

The paste spreads out in its own. You can spread it like butter if you want, no harm in that.

[@technicolorskies5432]

I wish the xps 17 had that convenient little hatch. I have to strip this thing down to it's motherboard. Take off the screen and everything.

[@Falkkonstag]

The Reaper I've never once taken the screen off. Top bezel, bottom bezel, fan, sink, paste and back together. If you're worried about scratching, you could always put a static bag between the frame and the screen.

[@gensyl61]

Brian, I have a Dell N5010 with a power button issue. It does NOT power ON. It gets an orange light and then "powers" down. What do I do?

[@unipotts]

Thanks Paradise Tech, that was excellent video

[@Tw1zzl3rs]

Can you make a video for a dell laptop XPS M1710 please? Mine keeps over heating like crazy. I've tried to open it but it doesn't open at all and I am sure the problem is on the inside.

[@rennmaxbeta]

Where was Dell's forward thinking when the made the XPS L702X? Whole laptop has to be taken apart to get to the heatsinks and fan compared to the model in this video.

[@OvernightCrew]

Where in So FL? I live in Boynton Beach

[@ParadiseTech]

I am over on the other coast, in Naples.

[@onemanturk]

Very helpful video much appreciated mate!

[@JoshuaHemminger]

Hi where can I find the thermal paste?

[@silvanigra]

I've done the same thing and the CPU and GPU temperatures went down a little, but the motherboard temp is still high (around 65 C / 150 F) in simple tasks like browsing or Word and the fan is always running, what could be the problem?

[@anax445]

i am so glade that u do this it help so much kept up the good work thank u

[@FinalDriveGame]

Here's my issue; while gaming sometimes my xps will completely freeze, so I have to smother it with the on/off button. When I start it back up the fan blows like crazy but it doesn't start up. Is heat my issue?

[@daddikentz]

can i use silicon paste? because i dont have thermal paste

[@urdandman313]

How often should one replace thermal paste?

[@mvcvideo111]

great video thank you

[@fullmetaljon]

thanks im excited to do this to my overheating asus from 2009. She is hot! but thats not always a good thing

[@MHallGH145]

I kinda wish my particular XPS (the L502x) had the same access panel, but instead I have to basically take apart my computer to fix the fan ._. (from what I have read in the manual)

[@speedbumphu]

Great video, thanks for publishing. Vodka is an alcohol though:) OK, maybe not for cleaning a CPU :) Would be a waste of the good stuff...

[@philmister]

Good instruction thanks.

[@moviecreateurjanvandermeer9310]

Incredible it works!!

[@chittlay]

Hi! I live in UK, and got Dell 1558 which has overheating issue. may I have your email for further communication?

[@andrewdupuis1151]

my son give me dell studio xps p8600 he said he found it outside by a dump. fan was very nosy i took it apart clean and replace thermal paste mx-4 thermal compound now its very quiet

[@catalindeluxus8545]

6:05 Are you sure touching and pressing directly on the surface of the chip witht an alcohol swab is healthy?? I'm ind of afraid to do so

[@coolsean602]

yea its fine

[@KurfewOfficial]

Thanks!

[@MEETU92]

I got very curioused when I saw you applying quite a lot of thermal paste with the grain rice method. Was it really necessary to apply so much on the cpu??? I hope you will answer to me because I have tried a lot of methods, but this one is new to me, how effective this method is compare to line method?

[@michaelgabiga4080]

Before you do anything you should probably just buy a new lithium ion battery, also; check if your putting the battery recharging plug 'in' correctly(fully). 'There is no overheating problem according to me'.-Defined as being a 'Contestable' 'view' because Anything can quote overheat a computer. even pressing ones hand too much on the panels.

[@michaelgabiga4080]

Also, I would question (in that particular machine) if the battery bay ports aren't wearing out since they're made of some 'sort' of copper alloy. I also, found that old windows versions may just have simply been compromised.. Go windows with the eternally flawed systems and what if its' been a msdos (eternal). (You know) just so they can keep on pandering new devices to us?

[@michaelgabiga4080]

Also, remember that when you open it it voids your warranty. 'MAY COST BIGGER DOLLARS'

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

OMG if only the m1210 were that simple. I have to strip the entire thing and go in through the keyboard.

[@scottwilkins]

One big mistake in this tutorial. DO NOT let the fans spin up. These are very light plastic parts that if they spin too fast will cause them to fail sooner, if not right away. Hold the fan, or stick one of your spudgers in it while blowing air through it. I've replaced so many fans where people have blown air through them and spun them way too high, higher than the engineer designed them to spin.

[@TheMunib999]

nycely done

[@bowler8]

my computer has an extended warranty and has been overheating...contacted Dell and they said they don't have any fans to replace it with...CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT??? So they're wanting to replace my comp with another one....I am so annoyed...this is one part that they should always have.

[@FransCuppen]

Half job done ... Your work will not have the desired result without cleaning the inside of the fan. Nice instructions how to get to- and disassemble the heatsink, but you forgot to open the fan (four little screws). Inside you will find a lot of dust cluttered against the grating of the heatsink. This can only be removed from the inside i.e. with a vacuum cleaner. Blades of fan to be cleaned (gently!) with a brush while holding the fan in place. My old Dell XPS M1330 is still going strong with a new Patona battery and Samsung 256 GB Pro SSD upgrade (much faster than the original!).

[@ParadiseTech]

Probably but I just don't know the answer as to which one! I would say you get what you pay for, so don't buy the cheap stuff, but if you have no choice, buy cheap, better then nothing!

[@blackthunder3551]

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE THERMAL PASTE U TOLD AND WHAT BRAND SHOULD I BUY

[@lemmy1736]

thanks in advance. :)))

[@MrCaffebene]

what is specific model name of the laptop from this video?

[@domjohnson2579]

Thats the biggest grain of rice i've ever seen.

[@norkis2696]

How ironic is that they are called Swiss army knifes as there is no army in Swiss.

[@Blueish87]

You forgot to put 1 screw back in the video.. hope you noticed that after the filming was done :P

[@Cedimedi]

there is ;)

[@mcericx]

way too much paste. this amount is being used on a full size desktop cpu die.

[@darkknight9100]

Icing Diamond

[@skepticalmechanic]

I guess your out of business! Lol.... no new videos in 6 years...

[@williamusher]

mmmmmm kay

[@Dattinator2501]

Ha! Funny.

[@SalafiyahManhaj]

you could have edit the part out where you got phone called easy job mister

[@michaelgabiga4080]

O.k. we're going to play kind of like a 'game' here. I am always going to take the Republican side which is the supreme technician. And ya'll are going to work on it together. Like collectivists.(they call it Democracy sometimes but I assure you Republicans can work together as well).

[@michaelgabiga4080]

Lets see if you can beat me , will be pointing out stuff on other stuff. Thank you.

[@moviecreateurjanvandermeer9310]

Incredible it works!!