The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
A good method is to remove the bottom panel (aka catcher) by unscrewing the 10 screws. Then blow the air in the vent where air normally comes out. Many people will say to hold the fan in place so it doesn't spin and magically destroy the fan, but that's optional (it's BS in my opinion).
If you let the dust build up a lot (like not cleaning for 4 or more months), you should also take off the plastic vent piece while you clean for a little more blowing power.
If you're concerned about temperatures, you can remove the 'dust filters' that are like stickers on the bottom panel (aka catcher). It's really only necessary to remove the square-ish one that corresponds with the fan. Doing that will likely lower your load temperatures by 2 to 5 degrees C.
Yes, I took it off. If you're concerned that Dell will ever need to service the laptop and not appreciate the dust filter removal, you can save the filter thing and stick it back on someday, and it will be as good as new.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
