Over time, the lens of your projector can accumulate dust. This creates a murky cloud across your image, reducing both the brightness and the sharpness. Knowing how to clean a projector inside lens safely can make sure you’re always getting the best image quality. It will also prevent the need for more expensive repairs in the future.
The good news is, that cleaning a projector lens isn’t difficult. While you do have to be careful not to damage or scratch the lens, it’s a relatively quick and easy maintenance task that can extend the life of both your lamp and your projector.
Note: you’ll need: Compressed air, microfiber cloth, lens cleaning solution, tissue
- Turn off the projector and unplug it from the wall.
If you’ve been using your projector recently, give it a few hours to cool. The lens gets very hot after use and this makes it more brittle. A cool lens will be less likely to break while cleaning it.
- Open the projector.
Every model is different, so look at your manual to find out how to get inside. Usually, there’s a latch or button on the projector housing.
- Clean the inside of the projector with compressed air.
Use short bursts, holding the can roughly 3-4 inches from your projector. Move the nozzle around to target dust you see. Continue this around the fan and throughout the housing to eliminate all the dust from inside your projector.
- Remove all the dust.
You want to make sure you’re not just blowing the dust back into your projector. Wipe away any visible dirt or dust with a microfiber cloth before you introduce any moisture into the cleaning process.
- Clean the housing exterior.
A moistened cloth can remove any last traces of dust and dirt from the projector’s case. Do this after you’ve cleaned the inside—dust sticks easily to moisture, and your projector can end up just as dirty as it started. Pay special attention to the fan vent and surrounding area.
- Clean the lens.
Now that everything’s clean, you can put the finishing touches on your lens. Remove the lens cap. Put a drop or two of the lens cleaner on a tissue and gently wipe the lens in a circular motion. The cleaner dries quickly, so there’s no need to dry it. Once you’re finished, replace the lens cap.
Can a dusty lens be prevented?
Even the best-maintained projector needs to be cleaned periodically, but there are a few easy steps you can take to reduce the amount of dust that gets into your projector.
- Keep the fan clean. The fan is a necessary part of your projector’s system, helping to alleviate the heat produced by the lamp. It’s also the main reason dust ends up inside your projector, sucking in everything that’s floating in your air. Check the vent every time you turn on your projector. If you see accumulated dust, wipe it away with a damp cloth.
- Use an air purifier. The more particulates are in your air, the more dust will end up in your projector. Positioning an air purifier close to the projector can serve as an extra line of defense, cleaning the air before it reaches the fan. (Some great options of air purifiers can be found on Amazon)
- Cover the lens when you’re not using it. Both the outside and the inside of your lens can get dusty, but the outside is easier to protect. Replacing the lens cap when you’re not using the projector also protects it from damage.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING:
- If you’re looking for a gaming projector click here.
- Our top of the best 4K projectors can be found here.
