Finding out if your MacBook Pro has water damage is important to do as soon as possible after a spill or leak. Water damage can seriously impact the functionality of your laptop if left unchecked. Read on to learn the signs of water damage in a MacBook Pro and steps you can take to diagnose potential issues.
Signs of Water Damage in a MacBook Pro
There are several signs that can indicate your MacBook Pro has sustained water damage. Being aware of these signs can help you diagnose the issue quickly and take action.
The laptop won’t turn on
One of the most obvious signs of water damage is if your MacBook Pro won’t power on at all when you press the power button. Water can short circuit the laptop’s logic board and other internal components, preventing the device from turning on.
Display issues
Display problems are another sign of water damage. You may see distorted, flickering, dim, or flashing colors and graphics on the screen. The laptop’s backlighting system can malfunction if moisture seeps in.
Battery not charging
If your MacBook Pro’s battery will no longer charge, even when plugged into a power source, this indicates possible water damage. Liquid can corrode pin connectors between the battery and logic board.
USB or headphone jacks not working
Faulty USB or headphone ports are a warning sign too. Connectors for these jacks can become damaged by moisture, preventing them from recognizing external devices or headphones when plugged in.
Keyboard keys stuck or unresponsive
Liquid spills can short out the keyboard’s internal components, resulting in keys that stick, repeat, or stop working altogether. Pay attention to any keys not functioning normally.
Trackpad not responding
Similar to the keyboard, water damage can also disrupt the laptop’s trackpad. If the cursor is jumping around erratically or the trackpad becomes unresponsive, this indicates a possible problem.
Fan constantly spinning
If your MacBook Pro’s internal cooling fan starts spinning for no reason and won’t stop, moisture may be causing a short circuit that activates the fan. Persistent fan activity can signal water got inside.
Corrosion around ports or vents
Look closely for any visible corrosion around openings like the USB-C or headphone ports, or the heat vent on the back. White, crusty buildup around these areas may mean water got inside and is causing corrosion.
Popping or buzzing sounds
Unusual popping or buzzing noises emanating from your MacBook Pro could also occur due to water exposure. This may indicate short circuits or other physical damage to internal components.
Cracked casing
Finally, inspect your laptop’s aluminum housing for any cracks, particularly around the bottom cover. Damage could signify swelling batteries that got wet and expanded against the casing.
Diagnosing Water Damage on a MacBook Pro
If you suspect your MacBook Pro has water damage based on the above signs, there are steps you can take to diagnose where liquid may have gotten in and how severely it affected your laptop.
Inspect for visible water marks
Look over the entire surface of your MacBook Pro carefully for any obvious water stains, discoloration, or other visible water marks indicating where liquid entered. Focus particularly around the air vents, ports, keyboard, trackpad, and bottom case.
Check for musty odor
Give your laptop a sniff to detect any musty or mildewy odors emanating from the device. Lingering moisture inside can cause foul smells that signal water damage.
Assess internal humidity
Use a humidity detector card or moisture meter to assess if there is any abnormal internal humidity or moisture inside your MacBook Pro’s casing. Tools like these can identify trapped liquid you can’t see.
Examine for corrosion
Closely inspect the internal components like the logic board and connectors for any corrosion buildup. This includes white, crusty oxidation on metal parts or green corrosion on copper circuitry caused by water.
Test components individually
Systematically test keyboard keys, USB/Thunderbolt ports, speakers, camera, Wi-Fi, etc. to isolate which individual parts are malfunctioning due to possible water intrusion.
Try external display
Connect your MacBook Pro to an external monitor or TV. If the laptop’s display still doesn’t work properly, this indicates a deeper problem beyond just a damaged screen.
Back up data ASAP
Before proceeding further, be sure to back up all important laptop data to an external drive. Water damage can render a MacBook Pro unrecoverable if attempts to repair it fail.
Run Apple Diagnostics
Apple Diagnostics is a built-in tool on MacBooks that can detect component failures. Restart your laptop and hold the D key – this will launch Diagnostics and test for issues.
Drying Out Your MacBook Pro
If a spill just occurred, you may be able to dry out your MacBook Pro and save it from permanent water damage. BUT extreme caution is required, as improper drying can make damage worse.
Do NOT try to turn it on
Never try to power on a wet MacBook Pro! Doing so can short circuit the device and potentially cause electrical damage.
Disconnect power
The first step is to disconnect your MacBook Pro from any power source, including unplugging the AC adapter.
Remove exterior moisture
Use a microfiber cloth to blot away any surface moisture on your laptop but don’t rub it around. Absorb excess liquid gently.
Tilt to drain liquid
With the MacBook closed, carefully tilt it at an angle to let any internal liquid drain out through openings like the keyboard, air vents, or ports.
Absorb remaining moisture
Lightly place paper towels or a microfiber cloth on the keyboard to draw moisture out from under the keys. Replace towels as needed.
Do NOT submerge in rice
A common myth is to submerge your MacBook in rice to dry it out. This will likely do more harm than good. Rice particles can get stuck inside and cause damage.
Let dry for at least 3-5 days
Be patient – leave your MacBook powered off and closed somewhere with good airflow for at least 3-5 days to give it time to thoroughly dry out before attempting to use it again.
Check for lingering moisture
After letting it dry, inspect for any remaining moisture or condensation before attempting to power it on. Extra drying time may still be required.
When to Seek Professional Repair
If the above steps don’t restore your MacBook Pro to working order, it likely requires professional repair or maintenance to address the water damage.
Liquid contact indicator triggered
MacBooks have liquid contact indicators inside that change color if they get wet. If this is triggered, Apple recommends seeking repair.
Corroded or damaged components
If internal parts like the logic board show corrosion that didn’t resolve during drying, a repair shop will need to clean and replace damaged components.
Laptop won’t power on
If your MacBook Pro still won’t start up normally after thorough drying, this points to a bigger issue needing service from a repair technician.
Display not functioning
Similarly, if display problems like flickering screens persist, this indicates a problem requiring hardware repair or replacement that exceeds DIY fixes.
Liquid spilled on powered-on laptop
Liquid spilled directly onto a turned-on MacBook has a high risk of immediately short circuiting and damaging components. Don’t hesitate to get this looked at professionally.
Repair Options for Liquid Damaged MacBooks
You have a few options to get your liquid damaged MacBook Pro repaired by the experts.
Apple repair
You can always take your laptop to Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. They have the genuine parts and training to properly inspect and fix MacBook water damage.
Mail-in repair services
Reputable mail-in repair companies like iFixit also specialize in Apple repairs. They can provide prepaid shipping boxes to send your laptop to their technicians.
Local repair shops
Trusted local repair shops and technicians in your area are another option if you don’t want to mail your MacBook away. Find one experienced in Apple repairs.
Do-it-yourself
With the right technical skill, you can follow iFixit guides to disassemble your MacBook and attempt replacing damaged parts yourself. This is less ideal for major water damage.
Cost to Repair Liquid Damaged MacBooks
Costs to repair a liquid damaged MacBook Pro can vary quite a bit based on the severity and which components need fixing or replacing. Here are some ballpark estimates:
| Repair type | Estimated cost |
| Logic board cleaning/repair | $300 – $700+ |
| New logic board | $500 – $1000+ |
| Display replacement | $400 – $700 |
| Trackpad replacement | $100 – $250 |
| Keyboard replacement | $150 – $350 |
| Battery replacement | $130 – $200 |
| Other components | $50 – $300+ |
Liquid damage often affects multiple components, increasing overall repair costs. The good news is that repairing a damaged MacBook is often less expensive than replacing the laptop entirely.
Preventing Future Water Damage
After getting your MacBook Pro repaired, be cautious to prevent liquid spills from happening again in the future.
Use a protective case
Carry your MacBook Pro in a water resistant/waterproof case when on the go to shield it from rain, spills, etc.
Don’t eat or drink nearby
Avoid having food or beverages on the same desk or table as your laptop to curb spills.
Watch cord placement
Be mindful of where you route power cords and cables to avoid tripping over them and knocking over liquids.
Keep away from sinks
Don’t place your MacBook beside sinks in kitchens or bathrooms where it could get splashed.
Shut down before moving
Always shut your laptop when moving it from room to room where you might trip or drop it.
Store in dry locations
Only keep your MacBook in dry areas like a desk or shelf, not damp rooms or garages.
Conclusion
Dealing with a liquid damaged MacBook Pro can be stressful, but identifying water damage quickly and taking the right steps is key to saving your laptop and avoiding costly replacement. Watch for telltale signs of moisture like glitchy screens or keyboards, test components thoroughly, dry your MacBook carefully if needed, and seek professional repairs for any lingering issues you find. With quick action, you can hopefully get your MacBook Pro back up and running again after a spill.