My school-issued MacBook was in my backpack when a water bottle leaked while I was walking downstairs. I'm not sure which model it is, but it charges with a magnetic connector and has two USB-C ports. It no longer powers on. I haven't tried turning it back on since the spill. What should I do now to avoid making the damage worse and give it the best chance of working again?
3 Answers
Stop trying to power it on or connect the charger. Take it to your school’s IT department as soon as possible, or ask a teacher where to report it. They can disconnect the battery, inspect it, and determine whether it needs cleaning or replacement. Since it’s school equipment, being upfront about the spill is the safest option.
Keep the MacBook unplugged and leave it open in a dry, well-ventilated place. Don’t use a hair dryer, rice, or other heat-based methods, and don’t wait too long before having IT inspect it—liquid residue can continue causing corrosion even after the laptop appears dry. Let the school handle opening and repairing it.
Don’t claim it simply stopped working if you know liquid got inside. Many laptops have signs of liquid exposure, and hiding the cause could complicate things if the school checks it. Explain what happened, including that someone may have opened the bottle, and ask what their damage or replacement policy is.
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