Spill water, coffee, or another liquid on your laptop and have no idea what to do? Well, first things first—don’t panic! That being said, time is of the essence if your laptop has water damage, no matter what kind it is (Macbook, Lenovo, or desktop).

In this blog, we’ll discuss quick, step by step, at-home solutions to take when your computer has water damage. But don’t forget that Love 2 Fix offers the best and most affordable water damage repair if you feel uncertain about tackling the repair on your own!

1. Turn the Power Off

The first step is turning your computer off immediately and removing any cables. Again, time is of the essence, so the quicker you turn off your computer, the higher chance you have of recovering it from water damage.

2. Remove the Battery (If Possible)

Not all laptops have removable batteries, but if yours does, take the battery out as soon as possible and dry it off. In doing so, you might be able to break the circuit that could lead to damage in your laptop.

3. Open Up Your Laptop (If Possible)

Some laptops are extremely difficult to get into (especially Apple computers like the Macbook Pro and Macbook Air as well as Microsoft laptops), so this step might not be possible for you. If, however, you are able to open up the chassis of your laptop, you will be able to see the extent of the water damage firsthand. Once you’ve determined which components are water-damaged, you can gently remove them and dry them with a cloth or towel.

4. Let It Dry

To dry your laptop and any of its components, use a clean cloth or towel. To soak up as much moisture as possible, make sure you dab the cloth instead of wiping it across the components. Wiping can leave behind quite a bit of moisture.

Once you have dried your laptop and its components, place everything aside for 48 hours minimum to continue to dry. Do not attempt to speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer or heater, as this could further damage your computer. After the 48 hours is up, you can attempt to restart your computer.

5. Take It to a Repair Shop

If you don’t feel comfortable opening up your computer on your own (or if your attempt is unsuccessful), find a local repair shop (like us!) as quickly as you can. Repair shop experts will be familiar with water damage, and they will have the specific tools necessary to get the job done (tools you probably don’t have at home).

Worst case scenario? Your laptop is too damaged to fix, and you have to purchase a new one. If that is the case, here’s a fantastic guide to some of the top laptops for 2021 by PC Mag.

If you have any questions about water damage repair or need to bring your computer in for water damage repair, don’t hesitate to contact us today!