An accidental spill of water on your laptop can be one of the most demoralizing experiences; the value of a week of work can be decimated in seconds. Fortunately, following these series of steps can help minimize the chances of losing valuable data or computer functions to water damage. Disclaimer:
These steps aim to save laptops from damage caused by WATER, not COFFEE, MILK or JUICE. Sugary liquids often leave behind a solid layer, which complicates the situation. If this is the case, you should still follow these steps to DRY the laptop. Anyway, you should too request professional assistance.
Steps
Step 1. Turn off the laptop immediately by pressing the power button.
Step 2. If your computer is connected to an AC adapter, make sure the surrounding area is dry
Subsequently, disconnect the power cord from the outlet.
Step 3. Pull out the battery
Step 4. Tilt the laptop at an angle to prevent liquid from reaching the innermost parts of the computer
(For many water spills this could mean reverse the laptop upside down, but use your own judgment).
Step 5. Dry the computer with paper towels in all reachable wet areas
Step 6. Two methods can be used to dry the internal parts of the computer
- One method is immerse the computer in dry, uncooked rice in a sealed container or plastic bag.
- Another method is to put the computer in a dry place. Moisture should leave the computer naturally.
Step 7. Wait at least 48 hours
This time frame may seem excessive, but by waiting for this time you can make sure that all the water inside the computer is dry.
Step 8. Carefully reconnect the power cord to the laptop without the battery
Step 9. Test to see if the computer turns on and is operational
Step 10. If your computer is operational, back up all important files immediately
In some cases, the computer will only run for a few hours before permanently failing.
