We’ve all been there. You lose concentration and spill your drink all over your desk, or your cat jumps up wanting some attention and knocks down your mug. Either way, you’ve probably experienced the panic of spilling liquid on your laptop. So, can it be saved? That all depends on the severity of the spill and how quickly you act.
How to save your laptop
There are a few steps you can follow to optimise your chances of saving your device. Simply follow the instructions below.
1. Turn off your laptop
The very first thing you should do is power off your laptop. This is important since it will make sure none of the internal components can short circuit if the water reaches them.
2. Remove external parts
To minimise the damage, make sure to remove any part of your laptop that can be detached. This includes your mouse, keyboard, USB drives and any cables.
3. Wipe away any water
Turn your laptop upside down as quickly as possible to avoid the water penetrating any further into the internal components. Then use a towel to dry off as much of the water as you can. Never shake the laptop as this can send the water deeper into crevices and cause further damage.
4. Remove hardware
Extract your battery to avoid any damage to it. Then, try to remove as much hardware as you can from the laptop. If you can remove any of the drives or motherboard parts, do so and make sure to dry them as thoroughly as possible. If your laptop cannot be disassembled or you’re not sure how to do so safely, it might be a better idea to take it to a repair shop.
5. Let it dry
Leave your laptop open and upside down on top of a towel. Ideally, you need to leave it for at least 24 hours to give it a chance to dry out. You could also try using a fan or dehumidifier if you have one to draw the water out more quickly. Otherwise, place the laptop in the warmest place you can find.
What if this doesn't work?
If following the steps above doesn’t help, the problem may be more serious. In this case, you will need to take the device to a repair shop where someone with more experience will be able to take apart the laptop and have a better chance of fixing the damage.
If you find yourself in this situation, head to Affordable Geeks. We can repair not only computers but also phones, tablets and iPads. Get in touch through our number or contact form today, and we’ll do our best to get your laptop back to you as good as new.
