It's a nightmare scenario: You're 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 you can still save your device—but only if you act fast. We'll walk you through what to do to prevent a small spill from turning into a big problem.
Here's our guide on what to do if you splash or spill water—or any type of liquid—on your laptop.
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.
Spilled water on your device?
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After you've turned off your laptop, try to remove the battery. Here's how:
Turn over your laptop so the bottom is facing up and find the battery latch.
Slide the latch switch to the opposite side and hold it open until the battery releases.
If the battery is wet, it's likely damaged and no longer safe to use. You should replace it immediately.
Some laptop models require you to unscrew the backplate to access the battery. If this is the case with yours, call an expert for help.
Remove all plugged-in devices
Next, unplug any USB drives, dongles, or accessories such as a mouse or charger from your laptop.
Dry and drain your laptop
If you spilled liquid on 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 follow these simple steps to drain your laptop:
Turn your laptop upside down, place it on a towel or a microfiber cloth, and let the water drain out.
Allow at least 24 hours for your computer to fully air dry for best results.
Do not place your device in rice. You'll create more problems if the rice gets stuck in and around the components of your laptop.
Do not use a hairdryer or leave it out in the sun. Too much heat could damage your machine.
Let a pro clean and check your laptop
Before you turn your laptop back on, it's a good idea to have a professional clean it and check for water damage—an Asurion Expert at your nearest can do that for you.
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Remove your laptop's battery, to avoid any electrical problems. You should also remove flash drives, cables, SD cards, the mouse, or other devices. Soak up any moisture with an absorbent towel, but don't dry your laptop with a hair dryer. It can damage the hard drive and internal components.
By shutting it down as soon as possible, you may be able to save it from further damage. In addition, do not turn the laptop back on until you've taken the necessary steps to dry it out. Continuing to use a wet laptop can cause permanent damage, which is why this is so important.
Turn off your laptop and disconnect it from power. Wipe any liquid from the laptop, then open it as wide as possible and set it facedown on a towel. If you can, remove the battery and internal hardware and dry them with a microfiber cloth. Let your laptop air dry for at least 24 hours before reassembly.
It only takes a single droplet in the right place to completely destroy an electronic device, and liquid damage can take many forms: a loose water bottle in your bag comes open.
In fact, the use of a hair dryer will spread the distribution of water in the parts, which will increase the number of damaged parts. Therefore, after water enters the laptop, remember to never use a hair dryer to dry it!
Another telltale sign of moisture issues is discoloration outside or inside your computer. Complete a visual inspection to check for corrosion around connectors and your motherboard. Any white or green residue is typically a good indicator that you've had liquid inside your computer.
If water is trapped under the screen, letting it dry naturally is crucial. Place the device in a warm, dry area with good ventilation and allow the moisture to evaporate over time. Avoid using the device until it's completely dry to prevent further damage.
Water and electronics don't mix, and if you spill water (or some other liquid) on your laptop, you should take immediate action. One accidental spill isn't necessarily a death sentence for your computer, but the potential for permanent damage is real.
Leave your laptop to dry for at least 24 hours. The best solution is to leave it for two days. Store your computer in the warm dry place. You can use dehumidifier or warm fan to help it dry quicker.
Most laptops (gaming or otherwise) aren't waterproof, but small spills aren't the end of the world. You can usually salvage your set-up after an accident.
Fact # 1 | You Cannot Destroy A Hard Drive With Water
In fact, leaving it in water for a long time may even stop it from functioning. However, it won't help you get rid of the personal data that is in it. Another reason why this won't work is that hard disks store on the interior platters magnetically.
While it's possible to attempt a DIY repair of a water-damaged laptop, if the laptop was exposed to a large amount of water or if it's been a considerable time since the spill occurred, professional help may be needed.
If you purchase a plan that includes Accidental Damage from Handling, accidental spills would be covered. Complete submersion in water would not be completed. For example, spilling a small amount of soda onto the tablet would be covered, but dropping it into the bathtub would not be.
When water spills on a laptop, it is likely that major damage will have been done. However, if immediate attention is given, the laptop can be saved from the water damage. Possibly, laptop liquid damage repair is not that easy as it sounds and this tricky work requires some experience with electronics disassembling.
If water is trapped under the screen, letting it dry naturally is crucial. Place the device in a warm, dry area with good ventilation and allow the moisture to evaporate over time. Avoid using the device until it's completely dry to prevent further damage.
Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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