Your Ultimate PC Maintenance Checklist

As I was ritualistically cleaning my room the other day, the dust that had accumulated on my PC caught my eye. As I took a second to look at my PC I realized it was… really dirty. Then as anyone would (right?) I spiraled and had to open my PC case and clean everything which led to me thinking I have no idea how to maintain my PC.

I’ve had my PC for almost 3 years now and I am still learning new things about it all the time. When I started digging into everything to keep it in the best condition I was surprised at how much I didn’t know. So per usual I am bringing what I learned to the blog so all of you can do much better than I was and keep your PC’s running smoothly as well as keep all your peripherals in good shape too.

General Tips:

1. Dust is public enemy #1
   • Dust is going to get everywhere and it can cause problems if you don’t take a few seconds to clean it off.
2. Pet hair gets everywhere
   • If you have a pet or pets like I do I promise you their hair gets everywhere. I spent a few minutes using tweezers to get my dog’s hair out of my mouse sensor. I have also seen it accumulate in my keyboard before.
3. Unplug everything when you clean it
   • You do not want your PC to be on when you ate cleaning it. Please unplug it if you are opening it. You can also carefully move it to another place to more comfortably clean it.
4. Gather Tools
   • Have the necessary tools handy, like a microfiber cloth, compressed air, and a small screwdriver set, to make the process smoother.
5. Keep Track of Screws
   • Use a small container or even a ziplock bag to keep screws organized and prevent them from getting lost when you do things like open your PC case.
6. Updates can reset settings
   • When you do Windows updates or other things on your PC it can often reset general settings and in game settings. Make sure after your updates that everything is how you like it.
7. Refer to the Manual
   • Keep your PC’s manual or manufacturer’s website handy for specific instructions related to your model. Everyone’s PC is going to be a little different so being aware of your components and what they need is a really good idea.

To reiterate, everyone’s PC’s are a little bit different so pay attention to what parts you have. You can maybe create a little document with links to the parts you have with the online instructions. Below I have put together a general Ultimate guide to PC Maintenance with tasks based on frequency. Feel free to download it and use it!

Your Ultimate PC Maintenance Checklist

I hope this checklist is helpful to keep your PC’s at their best. If you have any additional tips or ideas feel free to comment them below and happy cleaning <3

Disclaimer: The tips and guidelines provided in this checklist are intended to help maintain your PC’s performance. However, it’s essential to understand your own PC’s specific requirements and configurations. Always refer to your PC’s manual or consult with a professional technician before making any significant changes or performing maintenance tasks.