I've got a bit of an issue with my new computer that I'm hoping someone can help with. Not long ago, a guy came over to fix a problem with some LEDs that Windows wasn't detecting. After he left, we activated my Windows license and upgraded to Windows 11. I also installed Steam and some work-related software. Last night, I turned off my computer for the evening, but it didn't shut down as expected—the fans kept running for about five minutes. Then, out of nowhere, I got a whiff of burning plastic, though the smell faded quickly. But I can still smell it coming from the fans. Should I be worried about this? I've had a bad experience before with a similar smell from my tablet when a capacitor burned out. I'm anxious this might happen with my new machine, too.
3 Answers
Sounds like you might have some dust or hair buildup on your fans. When was the last time you cleaned it? If it's a new machine, you probably haven’t needed to yet, but getting a can of compressed air to clean it out can help. It should also let you inspect for any potential damage while you’re at it.
You might want to download NZXT Cam. It’s a handy tool that lets you monitor your computer’s performance and check for any overheating issues. Just a heads-up, though—it won’t alert you if something is actually burnt out.
If you're smelling burning electronics, that’s definitely not a good sign. Since you had issues with the LED detection, there might be a chance something was connected incorrectly (like ARGB vs RGB). If it’s a pre-built system, you should definitely contact the seller and explain what’s been going on.
I’ll need to reach out to the person who built my computer since it wasn’t pre-assembled. It might take a while because I’m leaving town soon. Should I be worried about leaving it unplugged from the power supply?
I haven’t cleaned it out yet since it’s brand new, just a few days old. Where can I buy compressed air? My old computer was fine with dust; I just used a vacuum cleaner occasionally.