What to do immediately after spilling water on a MacBook
If you accidentally spill water or another liquid on your MacBook, immediate action is crucial to potentially save your computer. Here are the steps you should take right away:
- Unplug the MacBook and turn it off. Unplugging the computer will prevent further damage from occurring. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to turn it off.
- Disconnect any connected peripherals like external hard drives, USB devices, or cables.
- Do not try turning the computer back on. Attempting to turn on a water-damaged computer can cause electrical shorts and further damage.
- Dry the computer off. Gently wipe off any excess moisture from the keyboard, trackpad, and exterior with a clean towel or cloth.
- Position the MacBook to allow water to drain out. Turn it upside down at an angle to let any collected water leak from openings.
- Do not shake the computer. Shaking it can spread water to other components.
- Resist the urge to use a hairdryer or heater to dry it off. Applying direct heat can damage the internal parts.
The goal in these initial steps is to power off the device, remove any connected accessories, gently dry the exterior, and position the MacBook to drain out as much liquid as possible. Avoid attempting to turn on the computer or using heat to dry it at this stage.
Assessing the water damage
Once you’ve taken the immediate steps after a spill, next assess the scope of the water damage:
- Was the computer turned on or off when water was spilled?
- What type of liquid was spilled? Water, coffee, soda, juice, etc?
- How much liquid was spilled? A few drops, a splash, or was the entire drink dumped onto it?
- Which areas of the computer got wet? Just the keyboard or trackpad, or did liquid seep deeper inside?
- Did you hear any sizzling or popping sounds indicating shorts?
- Does the keyboard or trackpad feel different when pressed?
Evaluating these factors will give you an idea of how severely your MacBook was damaged. A fully powered on laptop receiving a large spill has a higher chance of malfunction compared to a small spill on a turned off machine.
Letting the MacBook dry out before turning it on
After an initial cleanup and inspection, it’s vital to let your MacBook dry thoroughly before attempting to turn it back on. Water and electronics do not mix well.
Here are some tips for allowing proper dry time:
- Let it sit powered off for at least 24-48 hours to air dry.
- Remove any parts that can be taken out, like the battery and hard drive.
- Point a fan directly at the closed MacBook to circulate air through the vents.
- Place the laptop upside down on an elevated, absorbent surface.
- Use silica gel packs to absorb lingering moisture.
- Avoid applying heat from hairdryers or other devices to hurry the process.
Give your MacBook ample time to completely dry before reconnecting the battery and pressing the power button. If it powers on successfully, that’s a good sign it survived the spill intact. If not, additional repairs may be necessary.
Cleaning and drying individual components
To thoroughly dry out an exposed MacBook interior after water damage, it helps to remove and individually dry major components most vulnerable to liquid.
Here are some tips for cleaning and drying internal MacBook parts:
Logic board
- Gently clean the logic board with 91% or higher isopropyl alcohol and a soft bristle brush.
- Carefully lift any stickers or covers to clean hidden areas, then reapply.
- Let the board air dry for at least 24 hours before reinstalling.
Hard drive
- Remove the hard drive carefully without scratching or bending it.
- Use a soft lint-free cloth to lightly wipe down the drive and remove any residue.
- Do not get any moisture inside the drive housing or connection ports.
- Allow the drive to fully dry for 48-72 hours before reinstalling in the MacBook.
Battery
- Take out the battery immediately if it got wet. Do not attempt charging or using a wet battery.
- Clean the battery housing and connection points with a microfiber cloth.
- If the battery has removable cells, remove and clean each cell.
- Allow cells and housing to dry for at least 48 hours before reuse.
Methodically cleaning each component removes leftover moisture and helps them dry quickly so you can reassemble your MacBook. Always let parts dry thoroughly before attempting to turn the laptop back on.
Signs of liquid damage to MacBook components
Unfortunately, spilling water or another liquid onto a laptop can permanently damage integral components like the logic board, keyboard, trackpad, and battery.
Here are some signs that moisture has damaged internal parts in your MacBook:
- Corrosion on the logic board, battery connectors, or ports
- Short circuits or flickering lights when powered on
- Distorted or flickering display with visual artifacts
- Keyboard keys or trackpad buttons not responsive or sticking
- Battery not holding a charge or charging inconsistently
- Fan continually running at high speed
- Permanent dark stains or moisture trapped under keyboard
- Burning electrical smell from inside laptop
Any of these symptoms indicate component damage from liquid. You may need to replace parts like the keyboard, trackpad, logic board, or battery if they were directly exposed to significant moisture and exhibit damage symptoms.
Drying out a wet MacBook keyboard
The keyboard is especially vulnerable when liquid gets spilled onto a MacBook since the keys and underlying mechanisms are directly exposed.
If your MacBook’s keyboard got wet, here are some tips for drying it out:
- Shake excess water from the keyboard and gently wipe with an absorbent cloth.
- Use canned air to blow out trapped water under keys, repeating blasts at different angles.
- Let it dry upright for at least 24-48 hours to fully air out.
- Check key movements and listen for sticky or defective keys.
- Replace the entire keyboard if multiple keys seem damaged or unresponsive.
Avoid using the MacBook keyboard until it fully dries to prevent shorting or deforming keys. Prolonged moisture exposure can permanently ruin the keyboard’s internal mechanisms. An Apple Authorized Service Provider may be able to clean and repair a wet keyboard if the damage isn’t severe, but full replacement is often needed.
Fixing a wet MacBook trackpad
The trackpad can also malfunction if it gets wet, detecting false inputs or failing to respond to clicks and gestures. Take these steps to fix a MacBook trackpad wet from a spill:
- Carefully dab up any water sitting on the trackpad surface or surrounding area.
- Let the trackpad completely air dry for at least 24 hours.
- Check Force Touch trackpads for any loose rattling that indicates water got inside.
- Test clicks and cursor movement to see if the trackpad responds accurately.
- Replace the trackpad if moisture seems to have penetrated the housing or circuitry.
Give a wet trackpad ample time to fully dry out before using your MacBook again. Using the trackpad prematurely can spread moisture deeper into the internal trackpad components and worsen damage. Replacement may be necessary if the trackpad seems internally affected.
Drying the inside of a wet MacBook
For significant spills that drench a powered-on MacBook, residual moisture can get trapped internally after you drain and dry the exterior. Take additional steps to evaporate that hidden internal moisture:
- Remove wet internal components like battery, hard drive, and RAM to dry separately.
- Use canned air to forcefully blow lingering moisture out of small crevices.
- Place the bare-bones MacBook in front of a circulating fan for 24 hours.
- Stick bags of silica gel packets inside to actively absorb moisture.
- Take out the logic board and keyboard to clean and dry each component.
- Check for evidence of corrosion or shorts on the logic board.
These intensive steps help ensure no lasting liquid remains inside your MacBook’s casing or components. Any trapped moisture left lingering out of sight can lead to future corrosion or electrical shorts down the road.
When to get professional MacBook liquid damage repair
While a quick spill of water or coffee on a turned off MacBook may evaporate on its own with proper drying time, more serious spills require professional repair:
- Liquid got inside a running MacBook and components seem affected.
- You spilled something sugary like soda that can leave residue.
- Keys or trackpad are unresponsive, sticky, or show other damage.
- You notice corrosion, unusual odors, or strange noises.
- Screen displays odd visual artifacts or flickers inconsistently.
- Laptop won’t power on or battery fails to hold a charge.
Take your MacBook to an Apple Authorized Service Provider anytime major components seem compromised by liquid. Trained technicians have the tools and expertise to fully dry out, clean, repair, or replace damaged parts. Don’t take any chances reviving a severely spill-damaged MacBook on your own.
Cost to repair liquid damage on a MacBook
The repair cost for a liquid-damaged MacBook depends on the components affected and type of damage:
- Minor spills requiring just keyboard or trackpad replacement: $200 to $700
- Logic board cleaning/repair for minor corrosion: Up to $500
- Major component replacements like new logic board or battery: $500 to $1000
- Full unit replacement if repair exceeds 60% of MacBook value: $1200 to $2500+
Apple does not cover accidental water damage under its limited warranty. Liquid damage repair costs can really add up if key components like the logic board got wet. Many people choose to cut their losses and put that money toward a brand new MacBook. Investing in an extended warranty or third-party coverage plan can offset repair costs if you tend to be rough on electronics.
Emergency water damage services for MacBooks
For the best chance of saving your MacBook from a spill, take immediate action and get professional repair assistance ASAP. Many service centers offer emergency walk-in evaluations and fast turnaround:
- UBreakiFix has over 700 locations across the U.S. and Canada for Apple repairs.
- Micro Center offers same-day MacBook water damage repair services.
- Apple Authorized Service Providers like MacMedics and Rossmann Repair Group offer expedited assessments.
- Mail-in options like iResQ can provide 24-48 hour turnaround plus free estimates.
Don’t wait with a soaked MacBook hoping it dries on its own. The sooner you can get it professionally cleaned, dried, and repaired, the better your chances of restoring normal function or recovering damaged data. Always power the computer completely off and don’t pack it away wet in a bag. Seek professional assistance ASAP for water damaged electronics.
Best practices to prevent MacBook liquid spills and damage
Your best protection against expensive water damage is taking simple precautions to avoid spills in the first place:
- Don’t eat or drink near your laptop.
- Make sure to fully tighten bottle caps and lids before storing in a laptop bag.
- Keep drinks on a separate table or surface than your MacBook.
- Get a laptop spill cover or moisture-detecting pad to absorb minor spills or leaks.
- Designate water bottles and cups away from electronics.
- Keep your MacBook away from sources of splashing like sinks or pools.
- Never place drinks directly on top of your closed MacBook.
- Avoid working in chaotic environments with heightened spill risks.
Making your laptop area a designated no-drink zone eliminates many common risks for spills. But accidents still happen, so respond quickly if liquid does get on your MacBook before permanent damage can occur internally.
Conclusion
Spilling water or another liquid onto your MacBook can be disastrous, but immediate action combined with professional repair assistance gives you the best odds of saving it. Don’t panic – just promptly power off your laptop, gently absorb excess moisture, drain the machine, and let it thoroughly air dry before seeking help. With the right precautions and rapid response, even serious spills don’t have to become permanent MacBook-killers.