Spilling liquid on a laptop can cause water damage, but warranties cover accidental damage. Unplug the laptop, remove the battery, dry up any liquid, and let it sit before turning it back on. Disassemble the laptop if necessary and rinse affected parts with deionized or distilled water. Wait for the laptop to air out and avoid liquids to prevent water damage.
Spilling liquids on any electronic device, especially your laptop, can be a very nerve-racking experience, and you may even believe that laptop water damage spells the end of your computer. Many warranties cover accidental damage, but that protection becomes void if you try to fix a laptop yourself. So if you have a guarantee, contact the company immediately. The first thing you need to do when liquid is spilled on your laptop is to unplug it and remove the battery, along with any cables and external hardware. Next, you should try to dry up any liquid and let the machine sit for a period of time before trying to turn it back on.
In the event that liquid comes into contact with your laptop, if it is not already turned off, you must turn it off immediately. If necessary, perform a hard shutdown by pressing the Power button for a few seconds. You must also remove the battery, as well as any cables and cords and any additional external hardware, such as an external hard drive or flash drive. Following these initial steps can lead to water damage to your laptop. Not turning it off could cause a short circuit of some components of the machine, especially the motherboard.
The next step is to remove as much water from the laptop as possible. If only a little liquid has been spilled, you may be able to blot it up with a soft, lint-free cloth. Larger amounts of liquid are more likely to cause water damage to your laptop. To get rid of this water, wipe up all the liquid you can see and tilt the machine to the side to drain as much liquid as possible.
You may also need to disassemble the laptop to remove the water inside the machine. Before you do this, keep in mind that any static electricity can ruin a machine just as easily as laptop water damage, and you should take steps to prevent this from happening. Most professionals recommend using an anti-static wrist strap, but if one isn’t available, you may be able to ground yourself by constantly touching the bare metal frame of the computer. To disassemble your laptop, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which can often be found in your owner’s manual or online.
When it’s inside, it wipes away any visible liquid. If you’ve spilled something like coffee soda on a laptop, you may want to rinse some of the components to prevent them from becoming sticky. Rinse only the affected parts, and many computer repair technicians recommend using only deionized or distilled water when doing this. Once you’ve dried and cleaned as much liquid as possible from the inside, leave the lid on if possible for the next step.
After following the above steps, the only thing to do next is to wait. Place the laptop in a warm, dry place to air it out and let the remaining liquid evaporate. Some experts recommend using a fan or hair dryer on a cool setting, but others advise against it. Let the laptop rest for at least a day or two before turning it back on. Usually, if any damage has been done, it shows up within the first day of using the computer, and if you notice that it works differently, you may have received water damage to your laptop.
To avoid water damage to your laptop, it’s important to keep the machine completely away from any liquids. This includes using the machine near a sink or tub, as well as leaving it outside. Drinks should never be placed near the computer and it’s also a good idea to supervise children when they use the laptop.
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