Software & Apps Windows 112 112 people found this article helpful Important Computer Repair Safety Tips How to stay safe while working on your computer by Tim Fisher General Manager, VP, Lifewire.com Tim Fisher has 30+ years' professional technology support experience. He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire. our editorial process Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tim Fisher Updated on June 15, 2020 Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide In addition to being an afternoon of great fun (seriously!), computer repair can save you loads of time and money. No amount of fun, money, or time is enough, though, to compromise your safety. Flip the Switch Turn the power off before servicing anything. This should always be your first step, any time you work with electronics. Don't even open the computer case unless the power is turned off. If you see any lights glowing or flashing in the case, verify that you've turned it off—not just placed your computer in a hibernation state. Many power supply units incorporate a mechanical switch on the back, killing power to the device and ultimately the rest of your PC. If your PSU has one, turn it to the off position. If you're working on a laptop, netbook, or tablet, remove the battery in addition to disconnecting the AC power, before removing or disassembling anything. Kirsty Lee / EyeEm / Getty Images Unplug for Extra Safety As a second precaution, it's wise to unplug the computer from the wall or power strip. If there was any doubt as to whether the computer was off before, it's settled now. Avoid Smoke and Smells See smoke coming from the power supply or inside the case or smell a burning or solder scent? If so: Stop what you're doing. Unplug the computer from the wall. Don't wait for the computer to shut down. Allow the PC to cool or discharge unplugged for at least 5 minutes. Finally, if you know which device generated the smoke or smell, remove and replace it before you continue to use your computer. Don't try to repair a device that's been damaged to this extent, especially if it's a power supply. Remove Hand Jewelry An easy way to get electrocuted is to work around a high-voltage device like a power supply while wearing metal rings, watches, or bracelets. Remove anything conductive from your hands before working inside your computer, especially if you're doing something like testing your power supply. Avoid Capacitors Capacitors are miniature electronic components contained in many of the parts inside a PC. Capacitors store electric charge for a short while after the power is turned off, so it's wise to wait a few minutes after pulling the plug before working on your PC. Never Service the Non-Serviceable When you come across labels that say "No serviceable components inside" don't take it as a challenge or even a suggestion. This is a serious statement. Some parts of a computer are just not meant to be repaired, even by most professional computer repair persons. You'll usually see this warning on power supply units but you may also see them on monitors, hard drives, optical drives, and other dangerous or highly sensitive components. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up. Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit