AIOs come as closed loop units, so you don’t need to maintain its pump and coolant. However, dust can quickly build up in the radiator and the fans. So you need to clean them routinely to prevent anyheat-trapping issues.
you may generally spray the radiator with compressed air or use running water to clear all the dust and debris. But if you are using water, ensure the water does not get inside the pump or your PC.
Since I clean my radiator and fans every month or so, I usually blow them with a compressed air can without dismounting them. But it doesn’t take care of all the dust, so I remove the AIO every six months and clean the radiator using a water spray nozzle.
How to Clean AIO Radiator without Dismounting
If only a small amount of dust has built up inside the radiators, you may likely clean it up without dismounting the AIO.
You won’t usually see any overheating or performance drop issues with less dust build-up. But it’s still a good idea to clean it now rather than wait for the radiator to be caked in dust.
You need to go slow and careful while cleaning the radiator this way, but it saves a lot of time as you don’t have to remove and reinstall the cooler.
How to Clean AIO Radiator after Dismounting
If the radiator is very dusty, cleaning it from within the case is not a good idea. You won’t be able to clean it properly and the dust will get into all other components.
You need to dismount the AIO and clean the radiator using compressed air or water in such cases.
Clean Radiator using Compressed Air or Brush
Using compressed air spray cans is a good way to clean the radiator. It will send highly pressurized air on all the gaps inside the device and remove any clogged dust.
If you don’t have such air spray, you may use a vacuum cleaner as an alternative. If you do, I recommend using one with a long and flexible suction hose. The motor on these cleaners can create static charge and damage electronic components. So it’s best to keep them far from the AIO pump that contains an electronic circuit.
However, keep in mind that the vacuum cleaner won’t provide as much air pressure as the air can. you may also use a brush to dust off the radiator but it will be even less efficient.
I highly recommend having good quality aerosol spray on your home or workplace to clean any computer and electronic components.
