Nothing is worse than realizing you’ve potentially wrecked your laptop. Water damage is particularly frustrating because it can happen so easily.
It’s natural to put our drinks next to our computers without thinking about it. All you need is a tiny push for a potentially awful disaster.
But don’t worry, there is still hope! Instead of freaking out and screaming, “I spilled water on my laptop!”, follow these computer saving steps!
I Spilled Water on My Laptop, Now What?
The first thing you want to do is take a breath and try not to panic. Remove any detachable components, such as flash drives or charging cables.
Then, turn your computer off. Hold the power button down for 3-5 seconds or however long it takes to initiate a shutdown.
You don’t have time to turn off the computer properly. If you’re worried about losing files, you can always check out data recovery services afterward.
The faster you move, the higher the chance of saving it. If liquid gets inside the computer circuits while it’s still on, it can cause permanent damage.
The Clean-Up
Once the computer is off, you’re ready for the clean-up. Take a dry cloth and wipe any excess liquid you see on the laptop. Be thorough and pay particular attention to areas around the keyboard.
Try turning the laptop upside down to let the liquid drain. You can put a towel underneath the computer to keep it from spilling on the floor.
If you’re knowledgeable about computers and you’re able to open it up safely, you can do that to drain the internal parts.
The following step is probably the hardest because it requires a lot of patience. You need to let the computer dry for ideally 24 hours. If that’s not possible, you should give it at least 4 hours before you do anything else.
Even if it seems dry, there are droplets of liquids in and around the laptop that can be difficult to see. Letting it appropriately dry is the best and most important thing you can do.
✋ Warning
Refurbishing your Apple laptop has never been easier! 🚀 Discover 6 pro tips that will make your device shine like new! ✨
Assess the Damage
After letting the computer dry, try turning it back on. If it turns on with no issues, you may be in the clear. However, it’s still a good idea to take it to a repair shop where a professional can assess the damage.
It’s not uncommon for water damaged technology to initially work, but cause issues down the road. Though most laptop warranties don’t cover water damage, try seeing if you’re eligible.
If your laptop isn’t turning on, take it to a repair shop. The computer technician can tell you what’s causing the problem and where the damage is concentrated.
If you’re lucky, you may only have to replace specific parts of your computer and not the whole thing.
Now You Know How to Damage Control Your Wet Laptop
Water damage is never a good thing, but it doesn’t mean you’re doomed. These steps can help save your computer from irreplicable damage, saving you an expensive replacement.
The most important thing is to stay calm and to keep yourself from panicking.
That way, next time you have the horrible realization that “I spilled water on my laptop,” you’ll know exactly what to do!
If spilling water on your laptop isn’t your only concern, make sure to check out some of our other awesome articles on technology!
