8 Gaming PC Fixes for 2026
Last year I wrote a blog about the top gaming PC fix for 2025. This year I’ve decided to write the top gaming PC fixes for 2026. Here’s a wonderful comprehensive list of all the top repairs to perform in 2026.
Gaming PC Fix #1: Thermal Compound Replacement
After gaming for 8 hours a day, you need to show your gaming computer some love by replacing the thermal compound every 6-12 months. Yes, every 6-12 months, sometimes sooner on certain gaming laptops. If you game more than 8 hours a day, then I would highly recommend thermal replacement every 3-6 months. Thermal compound is a paste that goes between your heatsink and CPU to keep your CPU from overheating. Unfortunately, ignoring this maintenance can cause your computer to implode and you’ll find yourself buying a new one. However, I don’t recommend that you perform this service yourself. There are too many things that could go wrong if you try to replace the thermal compound yourself. In fact, you should really try to find a local computer repair shop for assistance with this particular issue.
Gaming PC Fix #2: GPU Fan Cleaning
It should go without saying that GPUs do a lot of the heavy lifting in gaming computers. As a matter of fact, most of the hardware load during games comes from the GPU and the CPU. The GPU often comes under heavy load during graphic intensive games, like Call of Duty. In most cases, this causes the GPU to get tons of dirt and dust inside of the fans, causing clogging. Unfortunately, there is no computer repair shop that cleans these fans. In fact, you’ll need to carefully use a can of compressed air and clean them out yourself every few months. However, you should be careful, because you can cause the GPU fans to seize and completely stop working if you don’t clean them properly. Seek the advice of a local computer repair shop if you’re not sure about cleaning your GPU.
Gaming PC Fix #3: Heatsink and Fan Cleaning
Most CPUs have a heatsink to keep it cool and a fan that is either attached or nearby. In most cases, the fan is attached to the heatsink, unless we’re talking about a laptop. In a laptop, the CPU fan is typically near the heatsink, but not directly on top of it. Although it is very easy to clean a heatsink on a desktop, it isn’t without challenges. In fact, removing the heatsink can sometimes break the CPU, which is why you want to be ultra careful with it. If you aren’t sure how to perform this service, then you should take it to a local computer repair shop for assistance. There is no shame in asking for help.
Gaming PC Fix #4: Uninstall Old Programs and PUPs
There is a wonderful program called Revouninstaller. It helps you uninstall any program on your computer with ease. In fact, it uninstalls difficult programs and programs that could potentially be malware or PUPs. PUPs are “potentially unwanted programs” and can cause damage to your operating system. I would highly recommend using a program like Revouninstaller to remove these difficult programs. As a matter of fact, I would only use Revouninstaller to remove these programs, since Windows Uninstaller can leave behind leftover files. Revouninstaller does not leave left over files, it completely removes EVERYTHING.
Gaming PC Fix #5: Clean your Gaming Laptop Screen
It should go without saying that you should clean your laptop computer every now and again. However, most people keep their laptop very icky and yucky most of the time. In most cases, I find that people simply don’t have time to stop for 5 minutes and clean their computer. However, there are some very good reasons to keep your laptop screen squeaky clean. First, you can avoid “ghost touches” on your screen. This is where your screen is so dirty, that the laptop screen thinks it’s being touched and randomly performs actions on your computer. Second, who doesn’t like to look at a really nice, clean screen? Finally, some debris that falls on screens can actually stick to it permanently, making it difficult to see portions of the screen. Clean your screen my friend.
Gaming PC Fix #6: Glue Down your DC Jack
Is your computer turning off intermittently? Is your battery sometimes charging and sometimes not charging? It’s possible that your DC jack aka “power port” is loose from the motherboard. If you are feeling brave, then you can open your laptop and apply some hot glue. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that your computer is completely powered off when you do this. It’s actually very simple. You apply super glue around the DC jack and allow it to dry to the motherboard. Your power issues should be immediately fixed, and this gaming PC fix will have saved you from having to buy a new computer.
Gaming PC Fix #7: Clean your Cookies and Internet Temporary Files
Malware and viruses like to hide in your cookies and internet temporary files. It’s a really good idea to try and clear these out every so often. Obviously, none of use have the time to do this on a daily basis but every few months should still provide some benefit. I’ve seen computers that have internet temporary files dating back almost a decade. This is a terrible idea. In fact, if you can figure it out, you can have your browser clear your cookies and browsing data EVERY time that you exit your browser. Look it up, it’s completely true.
Gaming PC Fix #8: Virus and Malware Scans
In this day and age, you never really need to do virus or malware scans. Everything is pretty much automatic. I like to use Windows Security for Windows 11 and it is constantly active and protects my computer from viruses and some malware. I like that it runs gently in the background and doesn’t interfere with my other programs or with the projects I’m working on. As far as antimalware, I would try Malwarebytes, it’s a good program. Unfortunately, only the paid program runs regular scans, but unless you’re super careless on the internet, you don’t need regular scans. Windows Security can find some malware, it’s almost not even necessary to have Malwarebytes unless you find yourself infected very frequently.
Gaming PC Fix 2026
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Author Information for Computer Repair Colorado Springs CO
De Landres
DML Computer Repair Technician | Data Recovery Expert | Software Expert | PC Articles Author
Author Quote: “Google is your friend, not food”. ~De
