How to Clean a Projector Inside Lens: 5 Easy Steps

Projectors can be an excellent tool for presentations and entertainment, but they need to be cared for to work their best. 

The inside lens needs to be cleaned regularly because dust and dirt will build up quickly and cause the projector not to function at its optimal level. 

Cleaning the lens will help the projector perform better and last longer. Also, it is very easy to clean. This blog post will teach you how!

What you’ll need

Here’s a list of things you’ll need to clean the projector’s inside lens:

  • Compressed air
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Lens cleaning solution
  • Tissue papers

Step by step guide on how to clean a projector inside lens

Here’s a step by step guide on how to clean the projector lens:

Step 1: Turn off the power source.

Unplug your project from its power cord or turn it off at the breaker box. You should not be able to hear anything coming out of the speakers, if you can, then there is still electricity going through it, and that needs to be turned off as well. 

Do not touch any electrical components inside with this are wet. Even if they are unplugged, you could get seriously hurt. 

Cover or remove everything in front of where the projector will sit, so nothing gets dirty while cleaning.

Gather all needed materials together next to where you’ll be working and set them parallel on a table for easy access.

Step 2: Unscrew the screws.

There is most likely a tiny screw on both sides of where you’ll be cleaning that needs to be removed. Don’t worry; all projectors are designed with these holes so they can easily have their lenses cleaned out. 

Once the screws are off, take away the cover or plate in front of where you will clean and set it aside. You might need an extra hand while doing this because there will probably still be electricity going through your projector (even if it’s unplugged) which means it could shock you.

But don’t worry about getting shocked here, since safety precautions were taken when making this product.

Step 3: Blow air into the projector lens ports using compressed air.

Take the can of compressed air that you bought and hold it upright. Press down on top so a stream of cold, pressurized air will be released from the nozzle. 

Work your way around both sides of where you are cleaning to blow all debris out or away from this area. If there is still dust after doing this, then go onto step four for further instructions. 

This should get rid of most if not all dirt particles in front of the lens area. 

Step 4: Remove all the dust particles.

If you notice any dust particles while looking through your projector, use the microfiber cloth to remove them. The lens is an area where small dust particles can easily be seen, so make sure to take care of these. 

Put some drops of cleaning solution on tissue paper and gently wipe off excess dirt from around inside lens ports. 

Afterward, clean out all moisture using another dry piece of tissue paper. Make sure there aren’t any more visible dusty spots by doing this repeatedly if needed.

Pro-tip: Don't spray any liquid onto parts with electricity still running through them, and don't place anything on top of your electrical equipment either because this could cause dangerous sparks and fires to occur.

Step 5: Clean both sides & Screwback screws.

Once you have completed these steps, clean both sides in one go. Remove any leftover liquid from the cloth and screw back on the side covers to where you removed them from. 

Plug your projector’s power cord back into its outlet and turn it on again. If there are still noticeable dust particles, repeat step four until they become invisible to the naked eye.

If you have completed all of these steps correctly, congratulations because now your projector lens should be nice & clean.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I clean a projector lens with alcohol?

Yes, you can clean a projector lens with alcohol by dampening the cloth and wiping it down. It would be best to do this to where you are cleaning, twice or more, because there might be some still visible dust particles after doing so.

How often should I clean my projector’s lenses?

It is recommended to clean your projector’s lenses every three months or so. But if it becomes dirty and dusty more often than that, then make sure to do this as soon as possible.

What other ways can I clean my projector?

You might be able to clean your projectors by using a compressed air ducting kit, cotton swabs (with water), microfiber cloths, lens pens, etc. There are many materials out there that could help keep the inside areas of where you’ll be cleaning very clear.

Conclusion

These five steps should have helped you successfully clean your projector’s lens without having to go out and buy a new one.

If there are still dust particles visible after completing all of these steps, repeat whichever step until they finally disappear.