How remove safely cooler from AM4 socket ?

[Winterlight]

I think upgrade my old 240 AIO too some new 360 or even 420 but not sure how safelty remove old cooler from AM4. I heard and read a lot story that AM4 socket lock is terible designed and CPU is very offten just rip off from socked with old cooler than you try remove it. Any idea how safely remove cooler without damage CPU or even motherboard ? 

[Eigenvektor]

Let the computer run for some time, to warm up the thermal paste, making it more pliable. Shut it down, unplug it etc. After unscrewing the cooler, instead of simply pulling on it, also turn/rotate it slightly from side to side, to get it unstuck. Avoid using excessive force.

[Poinkachu]

15 minutes ago, Winterlight said:

I think upgrade my old 240 AIO too some new 360 or even 420 but not sure how safelty remove old cooler from AM4. I heard and read a lot story that AM4 socket lock is terible designed and CPU is very offten just rip off from socked with old cooler than you try remove it. Any idea how safely remove cooler without damage CPU or even motherboard ? 

As @Eigenvektor said above.

To provide a bit more detail : The thing making the cooler sticks to the CPU's IHS is surface tension. So the aim is to disrupt(break) it. As soon as it gets disruption, the tension (the sticking force) will reduce greatly.

Sometimes I pull the cooler sideways, either halfway off then lift, or all the way off the IHS.

[Eigenvektor]

On 8/28/2022 at 10:38 AM, 8tg said:

…or shove a flathead screwdriver into the gap between the cpu cooler and the IHS and twist.

I'd be worried about scratching the surface So be gentle and maybe use some plastic component that can perform the same function.