How to Clean RAM Contacts

To clean RAM contacts, rub the gold pins gently with a clean pencil eraser, wipe off the bits with a lint-free cloth, then blow them dry with compressed air. Put the stick back in its slot and the computer is ready to use. The whole job takes about ten minutes and fixes the weak connection that dirty or oxidized pins can cause.

Why Dirty RAM Contacts Cause Problems

RAM sticks have a row of gold pins along the bottom edge. These pins press into the slots on your motherboard and carry data between the memory and the rest of the computer.

Over time, a thin layer of oxidation and dust builds up on these pins. Oxidation is a film that forms on metal and makes it harder for electricity to pass through. When the pins are dirty, the connection gets weak. The computer may freeze, crash with a blue screen error, or fail to start at all.

The pins are gold-plated because gold does not rust or corrode. But the gold layer is very thin — only a few microns. That is why you must be gentle and never scrape the pins with anything rough.

What You'll Need

• Phillips screwdriver: to open the computer case.
• Clean white pencil eraser: use a soft, good-quality white rubber eraser. Avoid hard or cheap erasers and any one already covered in pencil marks, since those can scratch the pins or leave residue.
• Lint-free or microfiber cloth: to wipe off the residue.
• Can of compressed air: to blow the pins and slots clean.
• Anti-static wrist strap: optional, but a good idea to protect the parts.

How to Clean RAM Contacts Step by Step

Step 1: Power Down and Open the Case

Turn off the computer and unplug it. Take out all the cables. Touch the metal frame of the case to drain static from your body, or wear an anti-static wrist strap. Take off the side panel. If the inside is dusty, clean that out first so you do not drop dust onto the RAM later.

Step 2: Take Out the RAM

Find the RAM slots. They are long, thin slots on the motherboard, usually next to the CPU. Push down the clip at each end of the slot, and the stick will pop up a little. Hold the stick by its edges and lift it straight up. Do not touch the gold pins with your fingers.

Step 3: Rub the Contacts With an Eraser

Lay the stick on a clean, dry surface. Rub the gold pins with the eraser using short, gentle strokes until they look brighter. Turn the stick over and clean the pins on the other side the same way.

Step 4: Clear Off the Residue

Wipe the pins with the lint-free cloth to remove the eraser bits. Tap the stick lightly on the table, then blow the pins with compressed air to clear anything left behind.

Step 5: Clean the Slots

Blow compressed air into the empty RAM slots on the motherboard, since dust collects in there too. Shine a flashlight into the slots to check that they are clear.

Step 6: Put the RAM Back

Line up the notch — the gap in the pins only fits the slot one way. Press the stick straight down until the clips snap shut on both ends. Check that both clips are locked and the stick sits level.

Mistakes to Avoid

When to Clean Your RAM

You do not need to clean RAM contacts often. Most people only do it when something goes wrong. Clean your RAM if you notice any of these signs:

• The computer will not start or shows a blank screen.
• Random crashes or blue screen errors.
• Memory errors in the Windows event log.
• Beeping when you turn the computer on, which often points to a RAM problem.
• You just bought used RAM and want to be sure the pins are clean.

If cleaning does not fix the problem, the RAM itself may be bad. Test it with the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic or the free MemTest86 program. If the memory passes but the computer still feels slow, you may just need more memory — our RAM configuration tool shows whether an upgrade would help. To keep the pins clean longer, keep dust out of your computer with intake filters and regular cleaning.