A few drops of liquid accidentally got inside my desktop PC while I was gaming. Soon afterward I noticed a burning smell, so I shut it down immediately. It would not start again when I first tried, so I left it untouched for two days. It now powers on, but performance is extremely slow and CPU usage stays around 80–90% even when no programs are open. The PC is only about two months old, and I'm concerned that the motherboard, CPU, memory, or another component may have been damaged. What should I do next, and could this type of damage be covered by the manufacturer's warranty?
3 Answers
The high CPU usage could be caused by damaged memory, motherboard circuitry, or another component—not necessarily the CPU itself. The burning smell makes this more serious, so a proper diagnosis is the safest next step. If you open the case, only inspect it while unplugged and look for residue, corrosion, or visibly burned areas.
Standard manufacturer warranties usually cover manufacturing defects, not accidental liquid damage. Policies vary, so check the exact warranty terms and contact the seller or manufacturer for a diagnostic process. They may charge for inspection and repairs, while accidental-damage coverage or an extended protection plan could work differently.
Stop using it and disconnect the power completely. Liquid can create shorts or corrosion, and powering the system while moisture or residue remains can cause more damage. Have a repair shop inspect and test the motherboard, memory, power supply, and storage rather than continuing to troubleshoot it while powered on.
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