I accidentally spilled rubbing alcohol on my laptop trackpad while dealing with a toddler-related mishap involving some glue. The trackpad still works, but it has a mind of its own and goes haywire. I really can't afford to get it fixed right now since I depend on my laptop for work. Do I need to replace the trackpad, or is there anything I can do to fix this? By the way, I have a Gateway Windows laptop.
4 Answers
Honestly, you’re probably in a good spot with rubbing alcohol; it tends to dry without leaving residue. Just keep the laptop off and let it dry overnight. In the meantime, using a USB mouse is a solid workaround. I often prefer it over the built-in trackpad anyway!
First things first, shut down your laptop right away and let it dry. Rubbing alcohol evaporates pretty quickly, which is a good thing. Just make sure you do this before turning it back on to avoid any damage from liquid and electricity mixing. Fingers crossed it will be fine!
In many cases, rubbing alcohol is safe for electronics, even if you spilled a good amount. The main thing is to give it time to dry. You might want to put the laptop in different positions while it's drying to let the moisture escape. From what I read, you should be okay as long as you let it sit and evaporate completely.
Definitely let it dry well before using it. If it’s still acting up later, consider getting it checked out.
You can help with drying by fanning it or placing it in front of a fan. Before that, power off your laptop, unplug it, and if you can, remove the battery. This way, you're minimizing any risks while it dries.
Yep! I do the same. External mice make it easier to work, especially on laptops.