Water and electronics usually don’t mix well, so it’s understandable to be concerned about water causing damage to your laptop screen. Laptop screens can certainly be damaged by water exposure, but the extent of the damage depends on the amount of water, the laptop model, and how quickly it’s addressed.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about water damage and laptop screens:
- Yes, water can damage a laptop screen.
- The most common types of water damage to screens are distorted images/colors, dead pixels, and total failure.
- A small amount of water wiped off quickly may not cause damage, but larger spills or submersion can destroy a screen.
- Turn off and unplug a wet laptop immediately. Dry it thoroughly before turning it back on.
- Replacement screens can cost $100-$400 depending on the model.
How Does Water Damage a Laptop Screen?
Laptop screens contain many sensitive electronic components that can malfunction or short circuit when they come into contact with water. Here are some of the main ways water can damage a laptop screen:
- Corrosion – Metallic components like wires and contact points can oxidize or corrode when exposed to water.
- Short circuits – Water can cause electrical shorts, blowing fuses or damaging circuits.
- Mineral deposits – Minerals in tap water left behind when dry can interfere with electrical connections.
- Physical damage – Bubbling, cracking, or delamination of screen layers.
The screen itself is only one vulnerable component – water that seeps into a laptop can damage many other parts including the motherboard, keyboard, trackpad, and battery.
What Are the Most Common Types of Water Damage to Laptop Screens?
Here are some of the most common visual symptoms that indicate laptop screen water damage:
- Distorted images/colors – Display issues like blurry, flickering, or inverted images often signal water damaged connections.
- Dead pixels – Pixels that are always dark due to shorted or corroded wiring to that pixel.
- Total failure – No image at all due to a damaged control board or extensive internal corrosion.
- Cracked screen – Physical cracks from water freezing and expanding inside the display layers.
- Leakage – Water visibly leaking from the display edges indicates serious internal damage.
Even a few dead pixels or minor image distortion indicates water has infiltrated sensitive electronics and more problems are likely over time. Any visual defects appearing right after water exposure signal screen damage.
Can a Small Amount of Water Damage a Laptop Screen?
It doesn’t take much water to potentially damage a laptop screen. Even a light splash can cause issues if the water seeps under the screen or into other areas like the keyboard.
That said, a very small amount of water like a single drop or light splash that is immediately wiped dry with an absorbent cloth may not immediately cause noticeable damage. The key is quickly absorbing the moisture before it has a chance to damage internal components.
Press down firmly with the cloth to soak up as much water as possible. It’s also a good idea to place the laptop upside down to let any lingering moisture drain out. Dry any damp ports or buttons as well.
As long as no wetness remains, a quick wipe down may prevent long term issues from small splashes. However, it’s still a gamble as you can’t see internal corrosion that may be occurring.
How Much Water Can Damage a Laptop Screen?
Once enough water is spilled to thoroughly soak into the laptop and screen layers, significant damage is very likely. Here are some examples of water exposure likely to severely damage a laptop screen:
- Splash covering 30% or more of the screen
- Small puddle covering the keyboard/touchpad area
- Drips down the screen from the top edge
- Submersion in an inch or two of liquid
Liquid directly on the screen is bad, but liquid anywhere else in the laptop can also migrate internally and damage the display. If you can’t completely absorb the spill with a dry cloth immediately, permanent damage is very possible.
What Should You Do if Your Laptop Screen Gets Wet?
If your laptop screen gets exposed to liquid, quick reaction is key to potentially minimizing damage:
- Immediately unplug all power/cables and turn the laptop off. This will prevent short circuits while wet.
- Dry the screen and entire laptop exterior with an absorbent cloth. Soak up as much liquid as you can.
- If possible, remove the battery to prevent power accidents during drying. Also remove any keys/covers to expose interior parts.
- Place the laptop upside-down on an angle to let moisture drain out of ports and crevices.
- Let the laptop air dry for at least 24-48 hours before attempting to turn on again.
- After drying, check for any warped, cracked or sticky areas that indicate water damage.
This thorough drying process gives you the best chance to avoid permanent water damage. Be patient and do not try turning on the laptop until all interior and exterior parts are 100% dry.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Water Damaged Laptop Screen?
If drying out your laptop does not restore proper screen function, liquid damage may require screen replacement. Repair costs vary depending on laptop model, screen type, and technician labor.
Here are some average costs to replace a water damaged laptop screen:
| Screen Type | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| 1080p LCD | $100 – $150 |
| Mid-range LED | $200 – $300 |
| High-end OLED 4K | $350 – $400 |
Specialty gaming laptops and high-resolution pro models can cost over $500 for screen replacement due to expensive proprietary components. Getting an accurate repair quote requires dissassembly and inspection of internal damage.
Can You Fix a Water Damaged Laptop Screen Yourself?
With the right technical skills, replacement laptop screens can be installed DIY-style to save on technician labor costs. However, some key factors determine whether a DIY screen replacement is practical:
- Screen compatibility – The replacement must match the exact model specifications including size, resolution, dimensions, connector type, etc.
- Accessibility – The laptop case must be able to be opened to access internal components without special tools.
- Component removal – Working with delicate ribbon cables and connectors takes finesse and patience.
- Software calibration – Imaging software may need recalibration to sync with a new screen.
Installing an incompatible or lower quality display may result in functionality or performance issues. For anything more complicated than a basic LCD swap, take your laptop to a professional repair shop rather than risk damage from DIY repairs.
Can You Prevent Water Damage To a Laptop Screen?
It’s impossible to guarantee a laptop screen will never encounter liquids. However, you can take some basic precautions to minimize risk:
- Use a water resistant laptop bag for transport.
- Don’t eat or drink around your laptop.
- Avoid placing laptops near sinks, sprinklers, AC units, etc.
- Inspect rubber seals around the screen for deterioration.
- Never clean an open laptop with liquid cleaners.
- Shut down your laptop if stormy weather is expected.
Be especially mindful in kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor areas where spills are more likely. Also take care when cleaning floors or desks around a laptop. With vigilance, most accidental water damage can be avoided.
Conclusion
Liquid and laptops are never an ideal combination, especially when it comes to the intricate electronics inside the screen. While minor splashes wiped up quickly may not cause external damage, it’s still possible they corrode internal components over time.
To be safe, treat any amount of water on a laptop as a serious hazard. Immediately turn off and dry the machine, inspect for damage after drying, and have a technician evaluate any possible screen issues that arise. With rapid response, you can hopefully avoid the significant expense of a full screen replacement.