Quick Answers
Water damage on a Mac screen needs to be dealt with quickly to prevent permanent damage. Here are some quick tips:
– Turn off and unplug the Mac immediately. Don’t try to turn it on if it got wet.
– Dry the Mac with a soft, lint-free cloth. Don’t shake it or turn it upside down.
– If the screen is still functional, use the Mac’s built-in brightness settings to heat the screen and evaporate moisture. Don’t apply heat directly to the screen.
– If the screen is no longer working, you may need to open up the Mac and disconnect the screen to dry internally. Take the Mac to an Apple store or repair shop.
– Do not try to force the Mac to turn on if it got very wet. This can short circuit the device. Let it dry thoroughly first.
Assessing the Damage
If your Mac’s screen has gotten wet, the first step is to quickly assess the amount of damage:
– Is the screen still somewhat functional and lighting up? Or is it completely dark/unresponsive?
– Does the computer turn on and operate without the screen? Or does it fail to turn on at all?
– Did a small amount of liquid hit the screen or was the entire device immersed in water?
– What type of liquid caused the water damage? Is it possible corrosive chemicals were involved?
– Does the Mac make any unusual sounds when trying to turn it on, like buzzing or popping?
The answers to these questions will determine your next steps. A Mac that turns on normally but just has a damaged screen will be simpler to fix than a Mac that fails to turn on at all after liquid exposure. Assessing the severity of the water damage right away allows you to take appropriate action.
Step 1: Turn Off and Dry the Mac
If your Mac screen is experiencing water or liquid damage, the very first thing you should do is turn the Mac off and unplug it from power. This prevents electrical shorts as the liquid drips through the device.
Do not attempt to turn on a wet Mac or diagnose the issue. The liquid could cause electrical arcing and short circuit the logic board or other components.
With the Mac safely powered down, use a soft, lint-free cloth to dry the machine. Gently dab or wipe down all exterior surfaces. Carefully dry the Mac screen as well, using a light touch on the glass or plastic parts.
Avoid shaking the Mac or turning it upside down to drain liquid, as this may displace internal parts. Be gentle yet thorough in drying the exterior.
Use Screen Brightness to Dry Internally
If the Mac screen is still somewhat functional after getting wet, you can utilize the screen’s backlight to help dry out any moisture internally:
– Connect the Mac to AC power if possible, but do not turn it on yet.
– Press the power button briefly. If the screen lights up, quickly go to System Preferences > Displays > Brightness and turn the brightness all the way up.
– The bright backlight behind the screen will heat the panel and help evaporate any water trapped inside the display assembly.
– Let the screen run at max brightness for several hours, monitoring for changes or flickering.
– When you are ready to power down, turn the brightness back down first before shutting off.
This technique utilizes the heat naturally produced by the backlight LEDs/CCFLs in a LCD panel. Just don’t leave the Mac fully on, as other components may get damaged.
Disconnect and Dry a Non-Working Screen
If the Mac screen no longer lights up at all after water damage, more extensive disassembly is required:
– You will need to open up the Mac laptop or iMac and disconnect the screen from the internal boards. Consult an official take-apart guide for your model.
– With the screen removed, look for any visible water buildup and use compressed air to blow it out. Let the screen air dry for at least 24-48 hours.
– If water got on the backlight bulbs and electronic boards, carefully scrub with 91%+ isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush.
– When fully dry, reassemble the Mac and test if the screen works normally again. If issues persist, replacement may be required.
This process requires in-depth technical knowledge of Mac repair and electronics. Liquid can cause corrosion over time if not cleaned properly. Consider visiting an Apple store or authorized service center instead.
Do Not Force a Wet Mac to Turn On
It’s important to emphasize: do NOT attempt to turn on a rain-soaked or water-damaged Mac before letting it dry.
Forcing power through waterlogged circuits can short out components and make the damage much worse. Even after some drying, try the Mac carefully and watch for issues:
– If you see odd visual artifacts, flickering, smoking, or hear buzzing/popping sounds, shut down immediately.
– Let the Mac sit powered off in a dry environment for at least 48-72 hours before testing again.
– If it fails to boot up normally after thorough drying, it likely requires professional repairs or a motherboard replacement.
Water damage takes patience and extra precaution. Rushing the drying or troubleshooting process often backfires, costing hundreds more in permanent electrical failure. Let your affected Mac completely air out before pushing your luck.
Use Absorbent Packets to Pull Out Moisture
Specialized moisture-absorbing packets can aid the Mac drying process:
– Purchase silica gel packets or other hydroscopic beads that absorb water. Or use uncooked rice.
– Place these packets beneath, between, and on top of detached Mac components like the screen and logic board.
– The packets will gradually pull residual moisture out of small spaces that are hard to dry with air.
– Check the packets daily and microwave briefly to evaporate absorbed water, allowing them to keep absorbing from the Mac.
– Keep using the packets over several days until they stop collecting water and the Mac parts are fully dried out internally.
This method is slower but helps ensure no lingering liquid or humidity gets left inside your Mac after a spill. The packets grab water molecules safely with no power applied to the system.
Clean Out Muddy/Silty Residue
If the water that damaged your Mac screen had dirt or debris in it, there may be dust, silt, clay, or mud left over after drying:
– Examine the screen closely under bright light for any particles or residue stuck to the glass/plastic panel.
– To remove, use a microfiber cloth dampened lightly with distilled water or a 50/50 vinegar and water mix.
– Wipe gently in small circles to dissolve and clear away the stuck-on gunk. Avoid applying pressure directly to the screen.
– Finish by drying thoroughly with a clean microfiber cloth. Vinegar will also evaporate any remaining moisture.
– Alternatively, specialized screen cleaning putty can be used to lift off some types of stuck-on residue without liquids.
– Avoid abrasive wipes, chemical cleaners, or scrubbing the screen forcefully, which could scuff or scratch it.
Proper cleaning is important to restore clarity and image quality after flood damage or other exposure to dirty water sources.
Isopropyl Alcohol for Sanitizing
If the water that came in contact with your Mac held biological contaminants or the machine was fully submerged, disinfecting it is a good idea:
– Wear gloves and safety glasses when working with isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
– Use a solution of at least 91% isopropyl alcohol diluted with distilled water at a 70/30 ratio.
– Dampen a microfiber cloth with the sanitizing solution and gently wipe down the Mac’s exterior. Avoid over-saturating.
– Pay special attention to disinfecting the screen, keys, trackpad, ports, and ventilation grilles. These areas tend to harbor germs.
– Let all cleaned areas air dry fully before reassembling or powering on the Mac.
– Avoid bleach solutions, ammonia cleaners, or hydrogen peroxide, as these can further damage electronics.
Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly without leaving residue, making it an ideal sanitizer for delicate electronics after water exposure.
Check for Liquid/Corrosion Inside the Mac
If the spill was severe enough that liquid might have reached the Mac’s internals, it’s wise to open it up and check for any internal moisture or damage:
– Search online to find a teardown guide for your specific Mac model for safe opening instructions.
– Carefully examine the logic board, connectors, power supply, fans, and any other electronics for water stains, mineral deposits, green corrosion, or burnt marks.
– If severe corrosion is present, replacement of affected parts may ultimately be needed for functionality. Attempt cleaning mild corrosion first.
– Use 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and a soft bristle toothbrush to gently scrub away light corrosion on metal components if safe to do so. Avoid excess force.
– Let all internals dry fully reassembled for at least 24 hours before attempting to power on again after internal cleaning.
– If in doubt, take your Mac to a repair shop where technicians can assess and properly clean/dry the inner hardware. Internal liquid damage is extremely tricky to safely DIY in many cases.
Avoid Getting Moisture In Accessory Ports
When initially drying your Mac after water exposure, be very careful around moisture getting into these accessory connectivity ports:
– Lightning/USB-C ports
– Headphone jack
– SD card reader
– Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort
– HDMI output
– MagSafe power connector
– Any open SATA or RAM slots
Liquids collecting in these ports can travel deeper internally and cause further issues. Use compressed air to blow out droplets from ports before drying the rest of the Mac.
Troubleshoot Display Issues After Drying
Once your Mac screen is fully dried after water damage, turn it back on and check for any display problems:
– Blank/dark screen: Indicates the backlight failed or screen connectors came loose. Requires disassembly to reseat cables or replace backlight.
– Visible corrosion on glass/LCD: Permanent damage to polarizing filters or liquid crystal layer. Screen needs replacement.
– Flickering, distortion, lines: Likely caused by water reaching display cables and damaging traces. Attempt cleaning cables first.
– Backlight but no image: Points to logic board failure. Replace logic board or attempt professional repair.
– Normal display but no signal: Motherboard issue preventing video output. Logic board needs professional repair/replacement.
Be prepared that water may have damaged display components beyond DIY fixing capabilities once dried out. Seek professional assistance for anything beyond basic troubleshooting.
Conclusion
Water damage to your Mac screen can be scary but prompt action is key. Immediately power down, dry off any liquid, and allow time for thorough air drying before attempting to use the display again. Utilize brightness and moisture-absorbing packs to aid internal drying. Check for and clean any stuck-on residue or corrosion afterward. Don’t force a wet Mac to turn on prematurely. With luck and proper technique, you can potentially revive a water-damaged screen, but replacement may ultimately be needed in severe cases. Take your time and be gentle when attempting DIY Mac liquid damage repair.
Related Questions
What are some safety precautions when cleaning water damage on a Mac?
Some important safety tips when dealing with liquid-damaged Macs:
– Unplug all power sources and turn off the machine before drying or disassembly.
– Wear rubber gloves and eye protection if using cleaning chemicals.
– Never apply direct heat like a hairdryer to the screen or other components.
– Avoid getting moisture in any openings like ports or drives.
– Don’t try to power on the Mac until completely dry, minimum 48 hours.
– Carefully follow official teardown guides for your model when disassembling.
– Handle components gently and use proper ESD (electrostatic discharge) safety measures.
– Keep cleaning solutions like alcohols, detergents, and deionized water away from children and pets.
How do you dry water under a Mac keyboard or trackpad?
For a Mac laptop, use these steps:
– Turn off the MacBook and disconnect power.
– Gently lift the bottom edges of the keyboard upward with plastic tools to unstick it slightly from the frame.
– Blow compressed air under the keyboard to push out moisture.
– Place the MacBook upside down on absorbent towels and leave overnight. Gravity will pull water out.
– Check under the keys for any remaining droplets or residue before reinstalling the keyboard gently.
– Take care not to separate or tear the keyboard ribbon cables. Seek repair help if needed.
Can you fix a Mac with water damage yourself?
Minor water exposure can potentially be fixed at home if you:
– Immediately power down and dry out the machine before turning it on again.
– Use isopropyl alcohol and moisture absorbers to remove any remaining dampness.
– Disassemble to clean/dry the screen and internal parts, if skilled and comfortable doing so.
– Check carefully for any signs of short circuit or corrosion on logic boards.
– Thoroughly test display, speakers, ports, battery, and all features after drying.
However, significant liquid exposure often requires professional repair for permanent component damage or risks involved in dismantling. Seek Apple or authorized technician assistance if:
– The Mac won’t power on or turn on reliably after drying.
– You notice any strange artifacts, noises or smells when powered up.
– Important ports, buttons, or parts no longer function properly.
– The display has visual lines, distortions or dead pixels after getting wet.
– Internal electronic boards show signs of burnt marks or mineral buildup from liquid.
What liquids cause the worst water damage on Macs?
Saltwater, soda, juice, and coffee can cause extra problems when spilled on a Mac:
– Saltwater is very conductive and corrosive, speeding trace corrosion on logic boards.
– Sugary drinks like soda or juice leave sticky residue that can interfere with moving parts.
– Acids in coffee or fruit juice can damage component coatings.
– Dark sodas or coffee may stain plastic casings or keycaps.
– Soap, shampoo, perfume, and other chemicals can also damage rubber, adhesives, and electronics if spilled on a Mac.
Freshwater causes less permanent damage than other liquids. But all moisture poses a risk for short-circuiting if power is applied while components are still wet.
| Type of Liquid | Level of Damage Risk |
| Saltwater | High |
| Soda | High |
| Coffee | Moderate |
| Freshwater | Low-Moderate |
| Alcohols | Moderate |
| Window Cleaners | Moderate |
| Oils | Low |