Spilling water on your laptop can be a scary ordeal as it can be a ticket to a replacement or the laptop’s death. But it doesn’t have to be so if you know what to do and act quickly. Generally, liquids can destroy electronics quickly if it does not have an IP67 rating. So, how do you get the water out when it spills over your laptop?
First of all, don’t panic! In such a case, immediately turn off the laptop, then take its parts apart. Expose the parts to an airy environment and allow them to dry properly before coupling them back. However, if your laptop doesn’t function as it should or doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional technician.
Every second is vital in a situation when water or any liquid spills on your laptop. Some people recommend putting your laptop in a bag of rice. While rice is a hygroscopic material that may help, it does not efficiently absorb moisture. It also does not help with other liquids like alcohol, soda, etc.
This article discusses how to get water out of your laptop.
Steps To Get Water Out of a Laptop
When you spill water or any liquid on your laptop, disconnect it from the power source if you are charging it, switch it off, and then bring out its components. However, removing a laptop’s components is difficult, especially with modern-day laptops.
If you use an earlier laptop, things will be much easier. Hence, taking anything apart in a modern-day laptop is not advisable. Here are some steps to take when you spill liquid on your laptop.
Step #1: Turn It Off
To avoid further damage to your laptop, immediately turn it off when you spill water or any liquid. This is because the electronic component on the laptop can cause a short circuit. You should also remove the battery if it is removable, as you want to ensure there is no current circulating in the laptop to prevent further damage.
Step #2: Detach Components From the Laptop
Remove all other easily detachable components from the laptop. For example, if you are using input items like a mouse, flash drive, keyboard, DVDs, and so on, it is advisable to remove them. The connection point can be a short circuit, resulting in CPU damage.
Step #3: Dry the Outside
With the laptop off, it is time to get as much water as possible out of the laptop. To do this, tilt the laptop to its side or upside down so any accumulated liquid in it will drain. Also, get an absorbent towel or a lint-free absorbent fabric and use it to wipe the surface.
Step #4: Dismantle the Laptop
After you’ve dried the external components of your laptop, it also helps to dry the internal components. However, you must take the laptop apart to access the inner parts.
Note that opening your laptop will void your warranty. Hence, if you still have a warranty that is still valid on your laptop, then you should take advantage of it by returning it to where you bought it. If not, you can disassemble it to dry it quickly.
Before you remove any of the internal parts of your laptop, ensure you are well grounded to the earth. If you are unfamiliar with the internal component of your laptop, it is advisable to reach out to a professional computer repairer.
Step #5: Clean Water From Internal Components
Use a microfiber cloth or lint-free rag to clean the laptop’s internal components so you don’t leave any fiber logged in. If you have compressed air, use it to blow any dust or wet area the lint-free cloth can’t reach.
Step #6: Let Dry
With the internal part of the laptop apart, leave it for about 48 hours to dry thoroughly. During this time, ensure you keep the laptop in a clean area that is not moist and not dusty.
It also helps to keep the laptop’s components in an airy environment. Any water that may have gotten deep into the laptop’s internal parts will slowly evaporate with time.
Step #7: Reassemble and Test
Lastly, reassemble the laptop. Ensure you use the right screw for the right location and couple every internal component the same way you removed them. Switch on the laptop after reassembling it.
While it is tempting to place your laptop near a hot surface or use a heat gun or hair dryer to make the water in it evaporate, please don’t. Most of the electronic components in the laptop are heat sensitive, and if you don’t know what you are doing, you may further damage the laptop by placing it near a hot surface.
If you notice the computer does not boot up as it should, or you notice distortion in the display or sound, don’t hesitate to take your laptop to a professional technician.
Conclusion
The next step you take when water spills on your laptop is crucial and will determine whether it will work again or not. Quickly turning off your laptop when you spill water on it drastically reduces the possibility of it damaging your device. You can also consider absorbing as much of the water with a towel. Although it may not help much, it is better than nothing.
