Water Got Into My Laptop Display—What Should I Do Now?
Asked by
MellowCedar47
I was walking home from class during heavy rain, and some water apparently got into my bag. When I got home, I noticed a sizable amount of water inside the laptop screen. I shut it down and turned it upside down to dry, but the lower-right part of the display is still flickering even while the laptop is powered off. What should I do next?
Answers
The display will probably need to be replaced. Even if the water never reached the main electronics, moisture inside the panel can leave discoloration, gray marks, dead pixels, or ongoing flickering. Keep the laptop powered off, disconnect the battery if you can do so safely, and let everything dry completely before testing it again.
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MellowCedar47: I opened it up and disconnected the battery. The display cable and the side of the screen near the flickering were wet, but the other components looked dry. I’ll leave it disconnected for a day or two, although it seems like the display assembly or cable may be the only damaged part.