How Water Can Get Into a Laptop Screen
There are a few main ways that water can get into a laptop screen:
Spilling liquid directly on the keyboard – If a drink is spilled on the keyboard, the liquid can seep down under the keys and into the internal components, including behind the screen. This is one of the most common ways water ingress happens with laptops.
Condensation from temperature changes – Bringing a cold laptop into a warm room can cause condensation buildup, both inside and outside the machine. Small droplets can form on the screen or internal components as the cold surfaces rapidly warm up.
Internal leaks from other components – Faulty batteries or other compromised internal parts can sometimes leak small amounts of liquid. If this builds up over time near the display, it can eventually seep behind the screen.
Citing https://www.quora.com/What-should-be-done-when-water-goes-inside-a-laptop-screen, spilling liquids directly onto the keyboard is one of the most frequent causes of water getting behind laptop screens. Condensation from temperature changes and internal leaks are other possible sources of water ingress.
Immediate Effects on Screen
When water gets inside a laptop screen, it can immediately cause visible damage and artifacts. One common effect is discoloration or odd visual patterns on the screen. This happens because water interferes with the laptop’s LCD display and backlight system. As one source notes, water can cause the backlight to malfunction, resulting in dim or dark patches on the screen. Additionally, the impact of the water can crack or break the screen, either partially or fully. Cracks will look like shattered glass and make portions of the screen unusable. In severe cases, the entire screen may cease to display an image at all.
Long-Term Physical Damage
Water exposure can cause long-term physical damage to a laptop even if it seems fine initially. The water can cause corrosion and short circuits in components like the motherboard, hard drive, RAM, and keyboard over time.
Corrosion occurs when the minerals in water react with the metal components and traces on the laptop’s circuit boards and components. This leads to oxidation and breakdown of the metal, causing connections to fail. Corrosion can spread across a board and damage multiple components if left unchecked (Source 1).
Short circuits happen when water creates new conductive paths between circuits that aren’t meant to connect. This can lead to current leakage, component failure, and potentially even fire. A short circuit on the motherboard can incapacitate the entire laptop.
In addition to corrosion and short circuits, water can cause direct physical damage to components. For example, water can damage hard drive platters and read/write heads, rendering data unrecoverable. Water exposure can also degrade components like RAM chips and the processor over time, leading to unpredictable crashes and component failure (Source 2).
Fixing Physical Damage
If water has damaged the physical components inside your laptop screen, there are a few steps you can take to try and fix or replace the damaged parts:
First, you’ll want to thoroughly dry out the laptop. Remove the battery and any other removable components, and leave the laptop open in a dry, well-ventilated area for at least 24-48 hours to allow any residual moisture to evaporate. You can place the laptop next to a fan to help speed up the drying process. Just be sure to keep it away from any direct heat sources like radiators or stoves which could further damage the components. According to users on Reddit, placing the laptop in a bag or container with uncooked rice can help absorb excess moisture as well.
If the screen is still not functioning properly after drying, you may need to replace the LCD panel itself. On some laptop models the screen may be replaceable, though it often requires disassembling the display components. Refer to a repair guide for your specific laptop model. Replacing the screen or internal display components can be complex, so you may want to consult a professional repair service if you are uncomfortable doing it yourself.
You may also need to replace other damaged internal components like the motherboard, RAM, SSD/HDD, or keyboard if liquid reached these parts. Again, reference your laptop model’s service manual for steps on safely removing and replacing specific internal parts. Source components from the original manufacturer or reputable third-party suppliers when needed.
While physical repairs are possible, significant water damage often requires professional servicing or may mean the laptop is beyond economical repair. Contact the manufacturer to see if any water damage-related warranties or extended service plans apply.
Data Loss from Water Exposure
One of the main risks of water damage to a laptop is irrecoverable data loss. When water gets inside the laptop and makes contact with internal components like the hard drive, it can cause physical damage as well as data corruption.
Specifically, water can lead to corruption of the operating system files on a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). The OS files contain key data needed for your laptop to start up and function properly. If these system files get corrupted from water, it’s likely your laptop will fail to boot or behave erratically.1
In addition to OS corruption, water can cause complete failure of the hard disk drive or SSD. These drives are not designed to withstand liquid exposure. If water gets inside the enclosed drive, it can short circuit the sensitive electronic components that read and write data. This will lead to permanent data loss as the drive fails.2
Recovering Lost Data
If water exposure has resulted in lost or corrupted data, there are several options for recovering it:
Professional data recovery services specialize in recovering data from damaged drives and devices. They use specialized tools and techniques to extract data from drives, even if they won’t boot normally. This gives you the best chance of recovering your important files and data, but it can be expensive, with costs ranging from $300-$2000+ depending on the service and amount of data recovered. Reputable data recovery companies like Fields and ComputerTech offer free evaluations to assess recovery feasibility before charging for their services.
If you had your important files backed up to a cloud service like Dropbox, Google Drive, or iCloud, you may be able to simply download a fresh copy of your data from the cloud. This is the easiest and fastest way to get your files back. Just be aware of storage limits on free cloud accounts.
As a last resort, you can attempt to reinstall your operating system, reformatting the drive in the process. This will wipe all data, but may allow you to use the computer again if the drive is still functional. Be absolutely certain you have backups before attempting this, as it will destroy all data on the drive.
Preventing Water Damage
There are some simple steps you can take to prevent water damage to your laptop:
First, use a waterproof laptop bag or sleeve when transporting your laptop. These bags provide an extra layer of protection in case you get caught in the rain or spill a drink. Look for bags made of water-resistant materials like neoprene that will keep moisture out.
Second, be very careful around liquids when using your laptop. Avoid placing drinks right next to your laptop. Use a coaster or keep drinks on a side table instead of on the same surface. Make sure the area around your laptop is free of moisture.
When carrying a drink while using your laptop, hold it with your non-dominant hand. Don’t place open containers of liquid directly over your laptop. Take care when opening bottles or cans near your laptop as well.
Finally, handle drinks carefully to avoid major spills. Don’t overfill containers that don’t have lids. Consider using bottles with straws or lids that seal tightly. This can contain spills if you accidentally tip over a drink. Take your time and use both hands when carrying open drinks near your laptop.
Following basic precautions for handling liquids around electronics can go a long way towards preventing a disastrous spill onto your laptop.
Warning Signs of Liquid Ingress
There are several warning signs that liquid may have entered your laptop screen:
Condensation under the screen – Moisture building up between the LCD panel and backlight diffuser can cause foggy or blurry areas. This condensation is a sign water may have seeped in (Source).
Visible moisture – You may notice actual droplets or pooling of water underneath the screen. This is an obvious indicator that liquid has infiltrated the display (Source).
Discoloration – Liquid damage can cause corrosion, leading to discolored patches or spots on the inside or outside of the screen. These stained areas signify water exposure over time (Source).
When to Replace vs Repair
Deciding whether to repair or replace a water-damaged laptop depends on several factors:
Cost analysis – Repairs may seem expensive but could be cheaper than buying a brand new laptop. Consider the repair costs compared to the laptop’s value before deciding.
Availability of parts – Some older laptop models have parts that are discontinued. If key components can’t be sourced, replacement may be the only option.
Extent of damage – If critical components like the motherboard are damaged beyond repair, replacement is likely needed. But minor damage to peripherals may be an inexpensive fix.
In general, liquid damage limited to peripherals like the screen or keyboard can often be repaired cost-effectively. But once internal components are extensively damaged, replacement becomes the better option.
Consult a repair technician to properly diagnose the damage. They can advise if economical repair is feasible or if replacement is the wise choice.
Summary
In summary, water getting into a laptop screen can cause immediate issues like screen glitches and long-term physical damage as moisture corrodes internal components. Preventing water damage is critical, so keep liquids away from your laptop, address warning signs like condensation under the screen promptly, and repair issues before they worsen. If your screen is unresponsive or glitchy after water exposure, don’t panic—your data may still be recoverable by a professional, and the screen itself may be repairable depending on the extent of damage. With vigilance and quick action when needed, you can often avoid the worst outcomes. Consult a repair technician right away if you suspect liquid has infiltrated your screen.