Water and Liquid Damage
It's a nightmare scenario: you are typing on your laptop when you reach for a glass of water or your morning cup of coffee and (gasp!) it tips over, soaking your screen and keyboard. Don't worry, if liquid spills on your laptop we can still save your device—but only if you act fast.
What You Should Do ASAP!
We'll walk you through what to do to prevent a small spill from turning into a big problem
- Turn off your laptop. If water spilled on your laptop keyboard or screen, it's important to turn off your device immediately. First unplug your laptop, then press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds or longer until it shuts down completely. Don't wait to turn off your laptop, since leaving it on while it's wet could cause a short circuit or other serious damage. Also, be careful—if you or your clothes are wet, don't unplug your laptop directly from the wall, as you could electrocute yourself. Instead, locate the switch or circuit breaker for the outlet you plugged your device into, then turn it off there.
- Remove the battery. Older laptops batteries can be removed quite easily. Newer ones require a disassembly. If you've never done this before, it's time to call for help.
- Dry and drain your laptop. It's important to dry it as quickly and carefully as possible. First, take a microfiber cloth to dab any excess liquid from your device, making sure to dry the keyboard, vents, trackpad, and USB ports. Then turn your laptop upside down, place it on a towel or a microfiber cloth, and let the water drain out for at least 24 hours. Don't use rice as it could easily get stuck inside, and avoid using high heat such as hair dryers.
The Next Steps
If you are lucky, we might be able to save your laptop...
If you act fast, we might be able to save your laptop and avoid expensive repairs. Usually, both the battery and keyboard will need a replacement. If the water got inside the screen, you will also see watermarks on it.
The safest bet is to back up your data - in most cases, it's possible to do that even if the laptop doesn't turn on! Water damaged laptops might work for some time, but they will rarely be reliable going forward.
If you spill other liquids such as sugary coffee, beer or wine, your chances drastically diminish. In this case, we recommend replacing the laptop, as repairs will probably cost more than your device is worth.
We can make an insurance report for you, and you might be able to get a claim on your contents insurance policy.
