The motherboard is arguably one of the most important components in a device. It is also one of the most expensive parts to repair. Schools can save a lot of money over the lifespan of a Chromebook by taking steps to keep the motherboard healthy. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons for failure in motherboards, so that you can help extend the life with preventive measures.

1. Make sure the device hardware is clean

Over time, a number of things can find their way under the hood of a Chromebook, hindering the motherboard's functionality. Dust, pet fur, and other particles can clog some of the most important hardware keeping the Chromebook running properly. Important fans that keep the motherboard from overheating can be especially liable to this build up. Setting up a rotating cleaning schedule is a great place to start in preventing long term damage. For tips on cleaning a Chromebook fan, here is an easy step-by-step instruction.

2. Set up a surge protection plan

One of the most deadly causes of motherboard damage is electrical surges. If the Chromebook is not properly charged through a surge protector, things like poor electrical wiring or even a thunderstorm could send an excess of power that the Chromebook isn’t prepared to handle. This fries the motherboard and other components, leaving the device completely useless.

3. Anticipate accidental damage and communicate proper usage to users

The most common forms of accidental damage come from droppage and liquid spills. While our Chromebook skins are a great solution to protect the outer part of a device, the inside is a different story.

The impact of a drop can be detrimental to not only the outside of the device, but also the inside. It can physically break the motherboard, but also has the potential to force pieces of the motherboard to touch, causing electrical damage. What can be done to help reduce drops? Frequent reminders of proper holding techniques can do wonders for lessening the droppage rate.

Liquid damage, on the other hand, can short a motherboard. This causes a similar experience to an electric surge, completely ruining the motherboard. While open glasses are typically not allowed in the classroom, reminding students to use the same policy around devices at home could help reduce liquid damage.

While motherboard damage is unfortunately inevitable, we hope these tips help provide simple solutions you can implement now to lower the amount of motherboard replacements you have to perform.