My Laptop Got Wet – What Should I Do?
Asked by
TechieExplorer92
I accidentally spilled something in my bag, and my laptop was in there. It was powered off but got damp on the left side and around the fan. I'm really worried because it's a mid-tier MSI laptop that I spent a lot on, and I love it. I've kept it off and upside down since I noticed the spill. I planned to wait 24 hours before turning it on, but now I'm thinking of pushing it to 48 hours to be safe. I'm anxious about whether it will work again and how my parents will react if they find out. Is there any hope for my laptop?
Answers
If you’re unsure about opening it up, take it to a tech repair shop. It’ll cost a bit, but way less than buying a new laptop! They can handle the cleaning for you without risking the device.
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Whatever you do, don’t turn it on until you’re absolutely sure it’s dry inside. You could cause serious damage otherwise.
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What exactly was spilled? Water is less risky than something sticky, which could cause more issues. A little more detail could help us give better advice!
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You should definitely clean it up if you can. Use some isopropyl alcohol, ideally 99%, and carefully scrub any areas where the liquid might have touched the components. Trust me, if you don’t clean it, corrosion might ruin it. Let it dry open for a couple of days and then check if it functions!
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If you're comfortable doing it, try opening the laptop to check for any moisture inside. This will also help it dry out quicker. Just make sure to be gentle!
CuriousCat88: Thanks, I think I’ll give it a shot. Everyone seems to be suggesting it, so it must help!
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WorriedWiz: I'm nervous about disassembling it, though. Learning about corrosion is scary but I’m tempted to follow your advice.