Have you accidentally spilled water on your laptop? One of your friends says, “Please put it in rice for 24 hours.” The next one says to use a hair dryer to immediately dry the liquid. But wait! Are these tips helpful or harmful? The internet is full of bad advice for laptop water damage fixes.
Any wrong step can permanently turn your device into a complete failure. You need facts, not fiction. This blog helps you avoid myths that cause more laptop water damage. Follow these experts’ recommended water damage repair steps to protect your device. Let’s get started!
Make Your First 5 Minutes the RIGHT Laptop Water Damage Fix Solution!
The first few minutes after a liquid spill are a race against time to save your device. All you have to do is avoid any short circuits. This can cause ga igantic mess and damage, where a fancy repair bill. Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Power Down & Unplug Immediately
Do not try to shut down your laptop with some software. Your fingers must be faster than electricity!
- Immediately take the power cord from the wall and the laptop.
- Remove the Battery: If your laptop has a removable battery, take it out immediately. This will help you to cut the power in mere seconds.
- Hold the Power Button: If the battery is sealed inside, hold down the power button for 5-10 seconds to force an immediate shutdown.
Electricity travels through water in the blink of an eye. Any powered-on circuit board exposed to liquid can rust. And it will lead to short circuits within seconds.
Step 2: Disconnect Everything
Laptop repair experts near me suggest unplugging all your external devices! From mouse to USB drives, monitor through headphones, plug out everything instantly.
Step 3: Triage the Liquid
Whatever you have spilled on your MacBook matters! If it’s just water, take a deep breath. Sugar drinks like coffee or soda, or alcoholic beverages, are ghosts. They are not just sticky and corrosive. But they continue to cause damage even after the liquid dries. So, once your power is off, closely monitor how to dry out your laptop and fix this damage.
Step 4: Dry the Exterior
Grab a soft, fibre-free cloth or any paper towels available. Now gently pat the laptop dryer. Tilt your laptop in different directions to drain all the liquid from your keyboard and ports. Remember, be cautious as you do not want to separate the liquid further inside by tilting it haphazardly.
Can Rice Fix a Water Damaged Laptop?
This is only a myth! And, it’s not the best solution, to be honest. However, uncooked rice can absorb some moisture from the air. But they are not highly efficient enough to dig out all the moisture deep inside your laptop. Plus, if any tiny particle gets inside, it can cause many more problems for you.
A much better method laptop repair technicians near me suggest is to use silica gel packets! These are usually found in new shoes or electronic boxes. Place the laptop in these packets in a large, sealed plastic bag. Now, patiently wait for 24 to 48 hours (about 4 days).
How Long Should I Leave My Laptop to Dry?
The more patience you show, the better it is for you! How long should I leave my laptop to dry? Repair technicians recommend you leave your iMac, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air for at least 48 hours in a dry, well-ventilated area. Do not turn it on to see if it works or not at this time. People usually make this mistake, which could ultimately make a mess to fix their water damage laptop.
According to our tech repair company, 75% of liquid damaged laptops can simply recovered only if people properly dry and clean them with professional experts before powering them on again.
When to Seek Professional Help
Once you have waited professionally for 48 to 72 hours for the laptop to dry. Now, you can turn your laptop on. If it works perfectly, you are one of the luckiest people on earth! But, often, your laptop does not start, so, instead of searching on Google, can a laptop with water damage be repaired? It’s better to look for the best laptop water damage repair technicians near you to fix this problem.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After Spilling Water on Laptop
- Do not use a hair dryer on high heat. Intense heat can melt down your internal laptop components.
- Do not try to put your laptop in an oven or microwave. This is a total disaster!
- Do not shake your laptop vigorously. It can spread the liquid to unaffected areas.
- Do not think of yourself as a professional repair technician trying to open and clean it on your own. You might cause way more harm.
I spilled Water on My Laptop, But It Still Works!
Corrosion from the spill can slowly damage the internal components over weeks or months. Even if it works now. It is a very wise decision to take it to a professional for an internal PC parts check and cleaning. This can prevent a sudden failure later on.
So, how do I fix my laptop after it gets wet? The formula is simple: Power Off → Dry Externally → Dry Internally (Patiently) → Test → Consult a Professional if needed. By following these steps, you give your laptop the best possible chance for a full recovery. Remember, speed and a calm head are your greatest assets to fix spilled water on the laptop keyboard or more.
