Is it safe to use a Vacuum cleaner to clean inside of your PC ?

[dprog1995]

I'm asking since in the internet some people say that it's safe while others say that it will damage your PC.

[Washell]

No, a static charge can break components. Do a ton of people do it anyway without breaking anything? Yes, but that doesn't make it safe.

If you do so, keep the nozzle well away from electronic components and boards.

[just.kamk /idle]

Depends on the vacuum cleaner and how you use it.

Generally i wouldnt use it directly on electronic components, especially not with metal nozzles.

[Talby]

I also don't use a vacuum on the inside, if indoors I just hit it with canned air and use the vacuum to catch all the dust flak - it's like a cool mini-game to play when you have to clean your PC!

[r.linder]

No, because most vacuums generate static electricity which could damage your components.

You're better off using an electric duster designed for electrical components, like a DataVac.

[_I_]

no

use an aircompressor instead

[Carlsberg]

Another vote for no, absolutely not unless designed for the task. Theres a tremendous amount of information available on the web, not all of it is good and we have to judge it with a modicum of good sense.

[dprog1995]

Thanks for your replies !

[upcoast]

I've been using an old filter queen set to blow for more than a decade with no issues.

Is it safe, I'd say more than not for most ppl that have a clue.

[nullable]

There are other affordable and better suited solutions. And there's probably not a scenario where your PC is so dusty you have to clean it right then and the only thing you have is a vacuum. In that specific scenario though I guess beggars can't be choosers. But in any other scenario, canned air, or a cheap air compressor is better solution.

[denisemakar DM|AA]

I would say no due to ESD from the vacuum. My suggestion is a toothbrush on the heat sink when you are grounded to the case or a can of air. If you do get one of those compressed air blowers such as DataVac (similar to a can of air). Always and I mean it, Always, make sure to ground yourself to the case with a ESD strap or just by touching your hands on the metal of the case should be enough to get grounded. If you are using a air blower (can or DataVac), hold the fan blades gently down when cleaning them. You do not want to ruin the tiny motors on them and back away from the internals inside your PC with DataVac. (Use the narrow tube to direct air).
Good Luck!

[invision2212]

i use a vacuum but not directly on the pc components. what i use is a very soft brush thats about as wide as a thumb and as i brush the dust off the vacuum hose sucks up the dust. i will also use a toothbrush on the case fans and CPU cooler. if there is a lot of dust in the cooler fins ill use a toothpick. then i will use the vacuum hose on the front, top, and rear panels where there are fans.

[plat]

Well, if you've never done or seen it done before, it could present risks. You could knock some caps off or otherwise damage the board with one false move. Dust that's stuck to the fan blades generally takes more than a vacuum to get rid of.

I also use compressed air in a can (very sparingly), along with a non-static cloth and toothbrush, particularly on the metal fins of the cpu cooler and blower of the gpu.

[upcoast]

https://www.new-line.com/information/electricity-and-hoses

[Electric Cupcake]

It's discouraged. You might get away with it if you don't let the nozzle touch any components, but it would still be risky. You'd want a specialty Datavac vacuum or blower.

Aside from static risks, you can also damage your components via airflow spinning the fans. As you may know from science class, an electric motor is the same as a generator, so if air is moving the fan instead of the fan moving air, it can generate a charge and send it into the motherboard, so be sure to unplug or hold the fans to keep them from spinning while dusting out a case.

[iceman1980]

Using a vacuum is fine as long as you are not touching anything that is connected to power, I power my machine down pull the fans out give them a vacuum then put them back, there is no risk in doing that, technically I use a paint brush to loosen the dust then have the vacuum nearby to suck the dust up, works well, as long as you are not touching anything that could be damaged by ESD you should be fine.