What to do when there's a Liquid Damage to Your Laptop?

What to do when there's a Liquid Damage to Your Laptop?

QuickGenie (Exceptional Handyman & Tech Services Delivered to Your Doorstep in California, U.S.)

It's crucial to act quickly if you spill liquid on your laptop. Unplug your computer as soon as possible and turn it off immediately. If your computer has a removable battery, remove it immediately. Turn off your computer by pressing the Power button. Every second is vital in this situation.

Things you'll need:

  • Absorbent towels
  • Appropriate screwdriver for case screws
  • Fan (not blow-dryer)

If you think the process is complicated and risky, please let us help you out. QuickGenie is one of the best Desktop PC/Mac Laptop Repair service providers at an affordable price. Our highly trained technicians will fix your damaged laptop carefully, and effectively. Meanwhile, You can just sit back and relax!

Disclaimer: Please note that QuickGenie cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to your PC as a result of taking it apart. This article only intends to share knowledge. We are not asking our readers to repair their laptops by themselves just after reading this article.  

Steps to follow in case of a wet laptop emergency

Here are some immediate steps you can take to help avoid tragedy.

Step 1: Remove all easily detachable parts. Unplug your mouse and any cables, and remove flash drives and DVDs. Leave your laptop bare.

Step 2: Dry the outside of your machine. Let any accumulated liquid drain out of your laptop by holding it upside down, and then wipe any wet surfaces with an absorbent towel or a lint-free absorbent fabric until they are dry. You should not use forced hot air from a hair dryer or heat gun to dry your computer.

Step 3: If you are still covered by a warranty at this point, or if your machine needs to be repaired, we recommend you contact a repair shop. If your brand has a repair store (like Apple), you can call them directly or bring your device there. If not, look for local repair shops that specialize in your brand of laptop.

Step 4: The type of liquid that was spilled matters. In contrast, alcoholic and sugary liquids are more conductive and corrosive than water. The damage they cause to your internal components can be serious. However, by immediately drying the computer, you can mitigate their effects as much as possible. There are more steps you can do to try and dry out your machine if you don't want a professional to look at it for you. 

Open up the Laptop

Unlike earlier laptops, where it was relatively easy to open up and remove components, modern laptops are a bit complicated. Unless you have an older laptop model that is mostly glued together, we don't recommend taking anything apart. If your laptop allows it, you can try the following steps.

Step 1: If possible, remove the battery. Battery removal is typically accomplished by pressing a switch or button on the underside of your computer.

Step 2: The second step is to remove the memory and storage drive if you are worried about liquid leaking through to those components. Some laptops have panels that can be removed from the underside. Most often, however, you have to remove them with a Phillips or Torx screwdriver. Eject the memory sticks by pressing the side clips. You may have to remove more screws to remove the solid-state drive or hard drive from the frame. Carefully disconnect the power and data connection ports or cables.

Step 3: Check each component you’ve removed to check for any signs of wetness or corrosion. Dry off any wet parts, but if the liquid is anything other than water, wipe it off with a clean toothbrush dipped in 99% isopropyl alcohol - this will dissolve gunk without causing any liquid damage and evaporate without leaving any sticky residue.

Step 4: After everything has been cleaned and examined, and you are sure you have brushed off any signs of corrosion, let everything air-dry for two to three days in a warm, dry environment. Using a fan will speed up the drying process. Avoid using a hair dryer as this may result in static electricity. In order to reassemble your laptop, follow the instructions in reverse after you've taken it apart and let it dry.

Hopefully, the procedure went well. If not, take it to a repair center immediately.

There are times when you can't get to a repair shop; emergencies never occur when it's convenient. If that's the case, you should let your water-damaged laptop air dry and ventilate for at least 24 to 48 hours before attempting to turn it back on. If you try to power on your PC before it’s ready, you’ll be in trouble. That can cause a massive shortage in the system and absolutely wreck your laptop.

Disclaimer: Please note that QuickGenie cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to your PC as a result of taking it apart. This article only intends to share knowledge. We are not asking our readers to repair their laptops by themselves just after reading this article.  

If you think the process is complicated and risky, please let us help you out. QuickGenie is one of the best Desktop PC/Mac Laptop Repair service providers at an affordable price. Our highly trained technicians will fix your damaged laptop carefully, and effectively. Meanwhile, You can just sit back and relax!

We also provide Exceptional Handyman & Tech Services delivered to Your Doorstep in San Jose, California. For more details, please click on this link: https://quickgenie.store or call us at +1-408 839 9298

Back to blog