A method for targeted repair of a hardware component in a computing device that is part of a cloud computing system includes monitoring a plurality of hardware components in the computing device. At some point, a defective sub-component within the hardware component of the computing device is identified. In addition to the defective sub-component, the hardware component also includes at least one sub-component that is functioning properly and a spare component that can be used in place of the defective sub-component. The method also includes initiating a targeted repair action while the computing device is connected to the cloud computing system. The targeted repair action prevents the defective sub-component from being used by the computing device without preventing sub-components that are functioning properly from being used by the computing device. The targeted repair action causes the spare component to be used in place of the defective sub-component.