Do you own a Macbook or other laptop computer? Have you ever spilled liquid on it by mistake? If so, the first thing to do is don’t panic! While spilling water or any other drink on electrical equipment can be worrying, some steps can be taken to minimize any damage and get your machine back up and running again.
In this blog post, we’ll explore and try to know what to do if you spill water on your MacBook and some essential tips for dealing with water spill damage on Macbooks (and other laptops, too!).
Table of Contents
What should I do if I spill water on my MacBook?
If you accidentally water spilled on your MacBook, don’t panic! The first step is to ensure that the laptop is not plugged in and powered off. Then, grab a towel or an absorbent cloth and blot the spill as much as possible. Next, take out the battery if it’s accessible and let the laptop and battery air-dry for about 24 hours.
Once that’s done, plug in your laptop to a wall outlet – not a computer – and attempt to turn it back on. If it doesn’t power up right away, you should contact Apple or an authorized service provider, and they will advise you of the best course of action.
Switch off MacBook immediately:
The water left on your Macbook should be removed as soon as possible. That’s your next task. Holding the power button on the device for 5 seconds until the power is on, then releasing the control is necessary.
Forget about any lost or stolen information, don’t even try opening an iPhone to shut down as you usually do in a Macbook. The earlier you cut off the power, the better the security of your laptop and the data that’s stored there.
The Macbook Pro has stopped operating after holding on to the Power button. It cannot be sent to the computer’s logic board via the software command to force shutdown.
Dry the inside of the MacBook Pro:
Once you have removed all electrical power supplies, you can easily remove your MacBooks from the liquid. Depending on the incident, the move may involve putting the item in a wet patch on the desk or taking it away from a swimming pool. Put the towel under the pillow in a cool, dry place.
Now it’s time to dry up your MacBook. A mixture of cotton and microfiber wipes absorbs the liquid in logic boards, batteries, trackpads, speakers, CPUs, and heatsinks. Soft drinks may leave an adhesive residue on logic boards. It can also be removed using toothpaste. Please do not knock chips out of logical boards.
It can dry out quickly. This task needs two ways. The first thing would be the placement on the MacBook. The above method will be applicable if you are using a MacBook X with a non-retina screen.
Unplug accessories and disconnect the battery:
Once the Macbook is powered off, unplug all accessories that are connected to it. Then take out the battery and let the laptop and battery air-dry for about 24 hours. Don’t try to open up your device or attempt any repairs yourself – you could cause more damage. Let a trained technician do this if you’re unsure how to do it correctly.
In some models, you may need to unscrew the bottom cover of the laptops to access the battery. If you can, take out the hard drive too, so it doesn’t get damaged by any liquid residue or condensation. Once everything is removed, and the device is dried out, put it back together and try turning it on again.
Absorb as much liquid as possible:
I’d better absorb water to cover liquid damage. It’s easy to remove it with some cloth or paper towel. Apply microfiber paper towels around your laptop to help protect the screen. You could use a cotton swab in almost any place.
Usually in keyboard areas or in ports where water is easily trapped. Keep a close eye out if it happens while using the power-up button. Press again to turn your Mac on. Do not use a vacuum cleaner because this could cause static electricity that could damage the internal components of your device.
Allow the MacBook to fully dry for 48 hours:
Wait until the water evaporates. The recommended way to leave a MacBook plugged into power is within 48 hours. It’s ok to place the dryer in a calm (low-temperature environment unless you’d like accelerated cooling).
The rest of the water is likely going to evaporate after some time. When switching the laptop up, it should work. It may seem like everything is fine. You can go to the Apple Store to inspect your MacBook Pro or other devices if you have long-term needs.
Does it matter what type of liquid spilled on my MacBook?
Yes. Certain liquids can cause more damage when you spill them on your MacBook. Beer can be sticky after drying, while salt water can leave a conductive residue on the surface. The best liquid you can spill onto your MacBooks is pure water or 100% alcohol.
You may have spilled something. This risk is also very high, but if your laptop is not powered, then the system should not suffer any further damage. Make sure your MacBook is fully turned off and your battery snagged, if possible, before trying it.
Spilled water on MacBook can cause severe damage to the device and also the MacBook keyboard and compromise its quality. While all liquids should be avoided from coming into contact with a MacBook upside, some are worse than others.
For instance, liquid sugary drinks such as sodas or beverages containing alcohol like beer or wine should be particularly avoided since these elements have a corrosive effect on the laptop’s internal components when heated. Also, water is still corrosion-inducing, although it gives the odd illusion of being harmless.
But any liquid spilled onto a MacBook carries the risk of catastrophic failure and malfunctioning in addition to the threat posed by corrosion – so owners must take great care to avoid accidents.
What can I do to fix the MacBook with potential water damage?
If your Macbook has experienced water damage, taking the proper steps to repair the device is essential. The first step of any water damage restoration process is to unplug your MacBook and remove the battery if possible.
Once the device has been unplugged and the battery removed, you should use a soft, absorbent cloth to wipe away any standing liquid on your laptop’s exterior. Next is cleaning off any corrosion from affected components, such as SD card readers or charging ports.
Depending on the severity of corrosion, apple brand Isopropyl Alcohol may be necessary for removing residue. It’s important not to pour or spray liquid directly into any openings in your laptop and always keep fluid away from components that could be affected by electric shock.
Once all affected areas have been cleaned and dried, it’s essential to let your MacBook sit for at least 72 hours for further drying before attempting to power the device back up. If these steps are taken correctly, you should be able to use your laptop with minimal issues caused by water damage.
Conclusion:
Water damage is a severe issue that can compromise the quality of your MacBook and potentially cause catastrophic failure. It’s essential to be cautious when handling liquids around your device and to take the necessary steps for repair if water damage does occur.
Ensure to unplug and remove the battery, wipe away standing liquid, clean off any corrosion, and wait at least 72 hours before attempting to power up the device again. With proper care, you should be able to get your MacBook back up and running safely.