Spilling water or any other liquid on your Mac can be a scary situation. Water can damage the internal components and lead to electrical shorts, so it’s important to act fast if you experience a spill. The good news is that quick action can help minimize the damage and potentially save your Mac. Here are some tips on what to do if you accidentally spill water on your Mac.
Immediately unplug it and turn it off
The first thing you should do if you spill any liquid on your Mac is unplug it from power right away. Disconnecting it from the power source will help prevent short circuits and electrical damage. You’ll also want to turn your Mac completely off right after unplugging it. Press and hold the power button for 5-10 seconds until the screen goes completely black and the Mac shuts down.
Dry the exterior and vent holes
Use a clean towel or cloth to gently blot up as much excess moisture as you can on the exterior of the Mac. Be sure to check areas like the keyboard, trackpad, ports, and ventilation holes and carefully dry any visible liquid. Don’t rub too hard as this could push the liquid further into the small openings.
Invert and angle your Mac
After drying the outside, flip your Mac upside down at an angle to help drain out any water from inside. Tilt the Mac back and forth gently while inverted to help the remaining liquid trickle out of any cracks or vents.
Absorb moisture internally
If possible, remove the bottom case of your MacBook/MacBook Pro or open up desktop iMacs to access the internal components. Use paper towels or clean cloths to soak up any moisture buildup from inside the computer. Be very gentle as not to damage any parts or knock anything loose.
Dry out components with isopropyl alcohol
Use a cotton swab dipped in 70%+ isopropyl alcohol to wipe down any interior parts that look wet. The alcohol helps displace moisture and accelerates drying time. Be very careful not to get any liquids on electronic boards or connectors.
Do NOT try turning it on until fully dry
After cleaning up any visible moisture, do NOT attempt to turn on your Mac or plug it in. The inside needs time to fully dry out, which can take 24 hours or longer. Leaving it powered off in a dry environment allows any trapped moisture to evaporate.
Use a fan to speed up internal drying
Position your Mac in front of fan blowing room-temperature air to help expedite the drying process. Just be cautious not to blow debris into any cracks or vents which could potentially cause issues.
Remove any wet internal parts
If you feel comfortable doing so, you can remove wet internal components like RAM sticks or storage drives and set them aside to dry separately. Just be very gentle when removing parts from the logic board.
Check for lingering moisture before powering on
After at least 24 hours of drying time, inspect all ports and vents for any remaining droplets or condensation. Double check connectors with a flashlight for hidden moisture before attempting to turn it on again.
Attempt to turn it on and assess the damage
Once completely dry, connect your power cable and press the power button to turn it on. If it powers up normally, that’s a great sign! But if not, don’t panic yet. Allow it a full 72 hours drying time and try again. Any flickering, distortion, or strange behavior upon powering up likely indicates water damage that will require professional repair.
Be prepared to take it to a repair shop
If your Mac won’t start up properly after drying, you’ll likely need to take it to an Apple store or authorized repair center. They can accurately diagnose any liquid damage and make necessary fixes like replacing rusted components.
Act fast for the best chance at saving your Mac
The faster you can power off and start drying out your Mac after a spill, the better chance you have at avoiding serious damage. A quick response can help get ahead of corrosion issues before they have time to set in.
Some tips to prevent water damage in the future
To avoid liquid damage down the road, follow these best practices:
- Don’t eat or drink near your computer
- Close any open containers before moving them near your Mac
- Keep your work area free of potential spills and drips
- Consider using a waterproof case or cover when traveling
- Position your Mac away from household hazards like sinks or sprinklers
- Use a surge protector in case a spill also knocks out power to your outlet
Liquid spills don’t necessarily mean the end for your Mac
While any kind of moisture inside your machine is never a good thing, not all hope is lost if you act quickly. Drying it out completely and taking it for repairs right away gives you the best shot at saving your Mac from permanent water damage.
The most important things are removing power/battery immediately, soaking up all visible moisture, letting it dry out completely for at least 24-72 hours, checking for lingering dampness, and getting professional help if it won’t power back on. With quick action following an accidental spill, you can hopefully get your Mac back up and running.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I let my Mac dry out after water damage before turning it on again?
You should allow your Mac to air dry for at least 24-72 hours after water damage before attempting to turn it on again. This gives time for any trapped moisture to fully evaporate.
What are signs my Mac has water damage even after drying?
Symptoms like electrical shorts, flickering displays, connection issues, corrosion, and general erratic behavior can indicate water damaged components even if no moisture is visible.
Can I use a hair dryer or heat to dry out my wet Mac?
No, you should NEVER use any direct heat like hairdryers, ovens, or heat guns to try and dry out your Mac after water damage. This can melt components and make damage worse.
How much does it cost to repair a water damaged Mac?
Costs vary depending on the extent of damage, but liquid damage repairs can range from $200-$1000+ in most cases. Replacing corroded logic boards is often the costliest fix.
Should I remove the battery from a wet MacBook?
Yes, you should remove the battery if possible as moisture can damage it and pose a fire hazard. Just be extremely careful not to puncture or bend the battery if attempting removal.
| Liquid spilled | Immediate action needed |
|---|---|
| Water | Power off, dry exterior, tilt to drain, dry internals with alcohol |
| Coffee, tea, juice | Power off, dry exterior, tilt to drain, clean with alcohol |
| Soda, energy drinks | Power off, dry exterior, tilt to drain, clean corrosion immediately |
| Alcohol, cleaning solutions | Power off, dry exterior, tilt to drain, monitor closely for damage |
As shown in the table above, the type of liquid spilled can impact the urgency and process for drying and cleaning your Mac. Water is least likely to cause permanent damage if dried properly, while sticky sugary drinks or corrosive chemicals require quick action to prevent component damage.
Seeking Professional Repair Assistance
If your Mac won’t power back on after drying or is exhibiting signs of electrical issues, it’s best to seek out professional repair services. Here are some options to consider:
Apple Support
Take your Mac to an Apple store or contact Apple support online to explore your repair options directly through the manufacturer. Apple technicians can accurately diagnose issues.
Authorized Service Providers
Apple authorized service providers are third-party repair shops that are certified to work on Apple products. They use genuine Apple parts to fix issues.
Third Party Repair Shops
Consider independent or third-party repair shops that may offer lower prices, but be wary of any shops using knock-off parts instead of genuine Apple components.
Mail-In Repair Services
Some companies like iResQ specialize in mail-in MacBook repairs if you can’t visit a shop in person. They provide free estimates and door-to-door service.
Local Repair Technicians
Check communities like Craigslist or Facebook for local independent technicians offering Mac repair services out of their homes or small shops.
Be sure to get multiple estimates before proceeding with any repair service. And ask about warranties on work performed in case issues reoccur.
Preparing Your Mac for Repair Service
Once you choose a repair provider, follow these tips before handing over your Mac:
- Back up any important data externally
- Disable Find My Mac
- Sign out of iCloud
- Remove any passwords/PINs
- Delete sensitive information
- Provide any accessories like chargers
- Keep track of the repair ticket/paperwork
This ensures your personal information stays protected throughout the repair process. And provides the technician with full access to diagnose and fix issues.
Potential Long-Term Issues After Water Damage
Even after a successful repair, water damage can sometimes lead to problems down the road like:
- Corroded connections causing intermittent failures
- Shortened life span for affected components
- Damaged ports/inputs failing prematurely
- Cosmetic corrosion if not thoroughly cleaned
- Recurring software glitches from damaged coding
Be diligent about backing up data frequently and watch for odd behaviors after water damage just in case. Additional repairs may eventually be needed.
When to Declare Your Mac a Total Loss
If the cost of component-level repairs exceeds the value of the Mac itself, it may be time to cut your losses. Consider a Mac totaled if:
- The logic board is too corroded to salvage
- Multiple key components are affected
- Apple declares it “vintage” and ends servicing/parts
- Quoted repair costs exceed 50-75% of replacement cost
- You’ve already poured money into previous repairs
- It’s very outdated and due for replacement anyway
If your Mac is borderline, get estimates before making the total loss call. But if the damage is extensive, it may be time to move on and invest in a newer model.
Emergency Water Damage Resources
For quick assistance if you experience a Mac liquid spill, utilize these handy resources:
Apple Support
Call 1-800-APL-CARE or use Apple Chat online for guidance from Apple’s technical support team.
Mac Support Communities
Join MacRumors forums, Reddit threads like r/AppleHelp, and Apple Discussions to crowdsource clean-up advice from other Mac users.
iResQ Water Damage FAQ
Reference iResQ’s guide to “How to Handle Water Damage on a Mac” for expert tips tailored to different models.
Apple Authorized Service Providers
Search Apple’s repair directory to find a local shop that can assist if your Mac won’t power back on after drying.
Mac Repair YouTube Tutorials
Watch videos from channels like iFixit and MacRepairPrep that walk through the water damage cleanup process for DIYers.
In Summary
Spilling water or liquid onto your Mac can be scary, but not catastrophic if you work quickly to remove power, dry it out, and get professional help with repairs. With the right response, you can recover from a wet laptop or desktop mishap and get your Apple product working again.