How to Save Your Laptop After a Liquid Spill

Spilling liquid on laptops or MacBooks isn’t something we encounter too frequently, but we still receive 7-10 devices with liquid damage each month. Whether it’s water, coffee, or any other liquid, it can be harmful to your electronics. Modern laptops and MacBooks are equipped with lithium batteries, which are particularly sensitive to liquids and can pose a fire risk if not addressed immediately. In this article, we’ll go over some steps you can take if liquid spills on your device. Keep in mind, these are temporary measures you can try before visiting a local repair shop, but they may not fully resolve the damage. For proper repair, be sure to take your laptop or MacBook to a nearby service center.

Acting quickly when liquid spills on a MacBook is crucial to prevent severe damage and data loss. Many MacBooks store data directly on the motherboard, with storage chips soldered onto it. If the motherboard is damaged by liquid, the data can be permanently lost. A short circuit can cause immediate failure, making data recovery difficult or impossible. By powering off the device and drying it promptly, you can reduce the risk of motherboard damage and increase the chances of saving both your device and data

Turn Off the Device Immediately

Why it’s critical: Turning off the device right away is essential to minimize the risk of short circuits and prevent further internal damage. Liquid can cause a short circuit, which may damage the motherboard permanently. If water reaches the battery, it could even lead to a fire risk. Additionally, if the liquid affects the storage drive, there’s a high chance of data loss, especially if the hard drive or storage chip is soldered onto the motherboard.

How to power down: To power off the device, first disconnect the charger and any external peripherals (like a mouse, keyboard, or USB devices). Then, press and hold the power button until the device turns off completely. This stops electrical flow and reduces the risk of further damage.

Dry the Exterior

Wipe off excess liquid: Start by using tissue paper or a towel to gently blot and remove as much liquid as possible from the laptop’s exterior. Avoid shaking the laptop, as this could spread the liquid to other internal components. Instead, leave the laptop open and position the keyboard face down on a clean, absorbent surface to help drain any liquid.

Avoid excessive pressure: Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this could damage the display or cause the keys on the keyboard to get stuck. If your laptop has a removable battery, take it out immediately. This will help stop power from reaching the motherboard, reducing the risk of further electrical damage. For laptops with a 180-degree hinge (like some Lenovo laptop models), place the display facing down on a cloth to help with the drainage process.

Even after following all these steps, it’s essential to contact a professional laptop repair service. They can open your device and perform a thorough cleaning, as even a single drop of liquid can cause significant damage to the motherboard or logic board. There are areas, such as underneath the keyboard or around charging ports, where liquid can linger and lead to corrosion, which may not be visible at first but can cause long-term damage.