Spilling water on your laptop is one of the worst things that can happen to it. Water can damage the internal components of your laptop, causing it to malfunction or even stop working altogether.
If you’re unlucky enough to spill water on your laptop, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage.
What to Do When You’ve Spilled Water on Your Laptop?
Let’s check out the steps that you can take if you spill water on your laptop accidentally.
Step 1: Shut down the laptop immediately
The first thing you should do if you spill water on your laptop is to shut it down immediately. This will prevent the water from causing any further damage. Now, to shut down your laptop, press and hold the power button for 5-10 seconds.
Step 2: Unplug all accessories
Once your laptop is turned off, unplug all accessories, including the power cable, external monitor, mouse, and keyboard. This precaution will help to prevent any electrical shock.
Step 3: Dry off visible moisture
You can use a clean, absorbent towel to dry off any visible moisture from the outside of your laptop. Also, be careful not to drop or shake your laptop, as this could cause the water to spread further inside.
Step 4: Remove components (if possible)
If your laptop has a removable battery, remove it. You may also be able to remove other components, such as the hard drive and memory modules. Basically, removing components will help to dry out the inside of your laptop more quickly.
Step 5: Seek professional servicing
If you’ve spilled a significant amount of water on your laptop, or if you’re not comfortable removing components, it’s best to take your laptop to a professional repair shop. Moreover, they will be able to disassemble your laptop and dry out the internal components properly.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks for drying out your laptop:
- Place your laptop upside down on a dry, absorbent surface, such as a towel or blanket. This tweak will help to drain any water that has spilled inside.
- If your laptop has a fan, you can use a hair dryer on low heat to blow air into the fan vent. This hack will help to evaporate any water that is inside the laptop.
- Avoid using rice to dry out your laptop. Remember rice can get stuck in the internal components of your laptop and cause damage.
Handling Different Types of Spills
The way you handle a spill will vary depending on the type of liquid that was spilled.
Large spills
If you spill a large amount of water on your laptop, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage. Next, turn off your laptop immediately, unplug all accessories, and remove the battery. Then, place your laptop upside down on a dry, absorbent surface and let it dry for at least 24 hours.
Small spills
If you spill a small amount of water on your laptop, you may be able to dry it out yourself. Turn off your laptop, unplug all accessories, and remove the battery. Then, use a clean, absorbent towel to dry off the outside of your laptop. Finally, you can also use a hair dryer on low heat to blow air into the fan vent.
Sticky spills
If you spill a sticky liquid, such as soda or juice, on your laptop, you’ll need to clean it up immediately. Use a damp cloth to wipe away the sticky liquid. Then, use a dry cloth to dry off the area.
In Conclusion
If you spill water on your laptop, the most important thing is to act quickly to minimize the damage. Now, turn off your laptop immediately, unplug all accessories, and dry off the outside of your laptop. If you’re not comfortable removing components, or if you’ve spilled a significant amount of water, take your laptop to a professional repair shop.