At PC Mac Fix, we’ve seen the lot – spilt tea or a can of drink, a sudden downpour, a child with a water bottle — however it happened, watching liquid pool across your keyboard is a head-in-hands moment. Despite our best intentions, spilling liquid on a laptop is something that our engineers see time and again. The good news is that there are some simple and immediate steps to take:
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Step 1: power down immediately — don’t just close the lid
The single biggest cause of permanent laptop damage isn’t the water itself — it’s electricity flowing through wet components and causing a short circuit. If the laptop is on, hold the power button until it shuts off completely. Don’t simply put it to sleep by closing the lid; sleep mode still runs power through the motherboard.
If it’s already off, leave it off and don’t switch it back on.
Step 2: unplug everything!
Disconnect the charger, any USB devices, external monitors, and peripherals right away. If the laptop is still plugged in at the socket, unplug that too. The idea is to remove every possible source of electrical current from the machine.
Step 3: turn the laptop over and let gravity help
Turn the laptop upside down into a tent like an open book resting on its spine so any liquid inside can drain away from the motherboard rather than pooling on top of it.
Case study
Once client recently brought in a Dell Laptop into our Kensington office which had been knocked into a bath of all things! We didn’t ask how or why they had a laptop near their bath, but the client was convinced that they’d killed the machine. Luckily, they had not tried to turn it on after the accident but instead brought it straight to us. We dried the machine out and tested it – unfortunately, the motherboard had indeed shorted out, but we sourced and fitted a new board, tested the machine and returned in it the grateful owner 4 days later.
Step 4: remove the battery, but only if it is clipped in, not sealed.
Many laptop batteries aren’t designed to be removed but if you’re confident that your laptop has a removable clipped-in one, take it out. This eliminates the last internal power source and stops any risk of a short circuit.
Step 5: dry the exterior, but do so gently and carefully
Use a soft cloth without any lint or kitchen roll to blot (don’t rub) any visible liquid on the keyboard, ports, and vents. If the spill was a big one, tilt the laptop at different angles to encourage drainage from the ports and hinge areas.
Step 6: Skip the Rice — Use Silica Gel or a Dry Room Instead
The “bury it in rice” trick is a myth that refuses to die. Rice is a poor desiccant, and rice dust can get into ports and fans, making things worse. Better options:
- Silica gel sachets (the kind found in shoe boxes or vitamin bottles) — surround the laptop with as many as you can find
- A dry, well-ventilated room at room temperature, with a fan gently circulating air across it
- A dehumidifier running nearby if you have one
Whatever you do, avoid hairdryers, ovens, or direct sunlight — heat can warp plastic components and push moisture deeper into the device rather than out.
Step 7: consider what type of liquid was spilt
Acidic liquids such as fruit juices, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, can cause more rapid and severe corrosion and damage to electronic components when they come into contact with devices. Sticky liquids will also have a tendency to only partially dry.
Step 8: Wait and do so for longer than you’d think
Let the laptop sit untouched for at least 48 hours, ideally 72. This can feel excruciating, especially if you need it for work, but internal components can hold moisture in hard-to-reach places (under the keyboard, around the motherboard). Switching it on too early is the number one reason a salvageable laptop dies for good.
Step 8: power on but have a backup plan first
After the waiting period, if possible, back up your files first via an external drive dock (removing the internal drive if you’re comfortable doing so) before powering on the laptop itself. This protects your data even if the motherboard doesn’t survive the first boot.
When you do switch on:
- Watch and listen for anything unusual — burning smells, sparking, or a screen that flickers oddly
- If anything seems off, shut it down immediately
Know when to call a professional
Consider contacting PC Mac Fix if:
- The spill involved anything other than plain water (tea, coffee, fizzy drinks — sugars and acids corrode components)
- The laptop won’t power on after drying
- You notice discolouration, corrosion, or a persistent smell
Our engineers can open the case, inspect the motherboard under magnification, and clean corrosion with isopropyl alcohol — something that’s risky to attempt yourself without experience.
A Quick Word on Prevention
Once you’ve recovered (or replaced) your laptop, consider:
- A spill-resistant keyboard cover — cheap insurance for a couple of quid
- Keeping drinks on the opposite side of your desk from your laptop
- Backing up important files regularly to the cloud or an external drive, so a future spill is an inconvenience rather than a catastrophe
The Bottom Line
Speed and patience are the two things that determine whether your laptop survives a water incident: act fast to cut power, then resist the urge to rush the drying process. Be very careful when it comes to turning the machine back on and if you’re in any doubt, call PC Mac Fix on 0203 518 0814
