Spilling water on your laptop can be one of the most stressful accidents. Whether it’s just a splash or a full cup, the thought of damaging your expensive device can cause panic. But before you give up hope, there are steps you can take to minimize the laptop water damage and potentially save your laptop. Acting quickly and carefully is key.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to do if your laptop gets wet, explaining each step in detail to help increase your chances of recovery.

Step 1: Power Down Immediately

The moment water hits your laptop, resist the temptation to check if everything still works. Instead, turn it off immediately to prevent any short circuits. You want to force a shutdown as quickly as possible by holding down the power button for a few seconds. This cuts off the electrical current that could cause irreparable damage.

Why it matters:
Electricity and water are a dangerous combination. Leaving the laptop on while it’s wet could lead to short-circuiting the motherboard or other crucial internal parts. Even a few extra seconds of power running through wet circuits can result in costly repairs or even a completely unusable laptop.

Step 2: Unplug and Disconnect Everything

Once your laptop is off, disconnect it from any power source. Unplug the charger from the laptop and the wall outlet. Next, remove any attached devices—USB drives, external hard drives, headphones, mice, or anything else connected to the laptop. These peripherals can also be affected by the spill and may carry the water into internal ports.

Step 3: Remove the Battery (If Possible)

If your laptop has a removable battery, this step is critical. Gently pop the battery out to ensure no electricity is flowing through the system.

For laptops with non-removable batteries (like most MacBooks), you can’t do much here except proceed to the next step. Don’t worry though—there are still ways to help your laptop recover even if you can’t remove the battery.

Tip:
If you’re unsure how to remove the battery, check your laptop’s manual or a quick online search. Different laptops have different designs for battery removal.

Step 4: Drain the Water

Now it’s time to let gravity do some of the work. Turn your laptop upside down to allow as much water as possible to drain out. You can hold it in a tent position (like an upside-down “V”) or lay it flat, depending on where the water hit.

Tilt the laptop in different directions to allow the water to flow out of all the nooks and crannies, like the keyboard, vents, and ports. Be gentle and avoid shaking the device aggressively, as that can spread the water deeper into the internals.

Why it’s important:
The faster you get water out of the laptop, the less likely it is to soak into sensitive parts like the motherboard or hard drive. Acting quickly here can significantly increase your chances of saving the laptop.

Step 5: Blot Dry the Surface

After draining as much water as possible, use a lint-free cloth or absorbent paper towels to blot the surfaces dry. Focus on the keyboard, screen, and any visible areas where water may have pooled.

Important:

• Don’t wipe the water aggressively; blot it. This will help soak up excess moisture without pushing water into the crevices.
• Avoid using anything that could shed fibers, like tissues or rough towels. You don’t want tiny particles or fibers getting stuck in your keyboard or ports.

Step 6: Air Dry and Patience

Now comes the hard part: waiting. You need to let your laptop air out completely. Place it in a well-ventilated area, leave it open, and allow it to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours.

If possible, place it near a fan to increase airflow, but do not blow hot air directly into the laptop. Also, avoid using a hairdryer—while it might seem like a good idea, the heat can warp plastic components or damage the internal circuitry.

For better results, you can place silica gel packets around the laptop. These small packets are designed to absorb moisture and can be more effective than the widely recommended rice method.

Step 7: Consider Disassembly (If You’re Confident)

If you have some technical expertise, partially disassembling the laptop could give you better access to the internal components and help with drying. Removing easily accessible parts, such as the RAM or hard drive, can allow more air to circulate inside.

However, if you’re not confident in doing this, it’s better to skip this step. Laptop internals can be delicate, and improper handling can cause more harm than good. If you’re unsure, seek professional help instead of attempting to dismantle the laptop yourself.

Step 8: Test and Power On

After patiently letting your laptop air dry for a day or two, it’s time to test it. Reassemble any components you removed and try to turn the laptop on.

What to expect:

• If it powers on successfully, test all the functions thoroughly, starting with the keyboard and trackpad, since they are often the first parts affected by water damage.
• If the laptop doesn’t turn on, or if it shows strange behavior like flickering or freezing, you may need to bring it to a repair professional for further inspection.

Remember that even if it powers on, there could still be long-term damage. Pay attention to any signs of malfunction over the next few days.

Step 9: Seek Professional Help If Needed

If your laptop doesn’t turn on, or if it works but shows issues (like keys not responding or frequent crashes), professional repair is your best option. Water can cause corrosion that’s not immediately visible, and some parts may need to be replaced entirely.

A repair shop will have tools to assess internal damage more thoroughly and can replace components like the motherboard, keyboard, or battery if necessary.

Step 10: Prevent Future Spills

Once you’ve survived the ordeal of water damage, it’s natural to want to avoid it ever happening again. Here are some practical tips to help protect your laptop from future spills:

• Keep liquids far away: It’s simple but effective. Place drinks on a different surface than your laptop or use spill-proof containers.
• Invest in a keyboard cover: Silicone or plastic keyboard covers are an inexpensive way to protect your laptop from liquid spills. They also keep out dust and dirt.
• Be mindful of your workspace: Avoid placing your laptop near the edge of tables, where accidental knocks could send liquids spilling onto it.
• Consider extended warranty or insurance: Some extended warranties or insurance policies offer coverage for accidental damage, including liquid spills. It can be worth the investment if you’re prone to accidents.

Dealing with water damage can be stressful, but by acting quickly and carefully, you have a good chance of saving your laptop. Start by powering down immediately, drain the water, and give your device plenty of time to dry before attempting to power it back on. While it may not be possible to recover every time, following these steps improves your chances significantly.

If all else fails, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. And next time, keep that drink a little further away from your trusty laptop!