If you own a laptop, a “chill pad” or “notebook cooler” can help keep it cool. Chill pads are simple products containing one or two fans. They act as a base for your laptop when working at a desk. Depending on your needs, a chill pad with a built-in USB hub can also act as an inexpensive docking station for your USB peripherals. Chill pads are simple pieces of equipment that can extend the life of your laptop, especially if your laptop computer is prone to running hot. Though simple by design, chill pads do need occasional maintenance.
The biggest problem with chill pads is that the fans are either on or off. If you forget to turn off the chill pad, the fans continue to circulate air. It doesn’t take long before dust, debris, and hair begin clogging the fans. If you notice excessive noise or if the fans no longer spin, it’s beyond time for a good cleaning.
Start by unplugging your chill pad. Take it outside and use a can of compressed air to blow out the dust. Once the main gunk has been blown out, come back inside and use a pair of tweezers to pull out any hair that may have wound its way around the fan.
While you’re at it, inspect the fan blades to make sure that none of them are protruding through the protective grill. Broken or bent fan blades can get stuck in the grill, thus making the fan inoperable. If any fan blades are poking through, use your tweezers to gently push the blade back inside. Depending on the extent of the bending, you may need to sacrifice a blade by snapping it off and removing it. While your fan will be slightly less efficient, it should be able to circulate air once the broken piece has been removed which is better than the alternative of being completely stuck and frozen in place.
Use a baby wipe or lint-free cloth to clean the top and bottom surfaces of the chill pad before plugging the chill pad in and testing its performance. If the blades move freely and the sounds have returned to normal, then your job is complete. All that’s left to do is to plug in any USB peripherals (USB hub models) and set your laptop on top of the chill pad.
Prevent future debris build up and clogs by regularly cleaning and inspecting your chill pad.
