Buzz
Immediate Response Matters
Emergency Steps
- Immediately remove detachable components such as the mouse, USB drive, external devices, and all types of cables.
- Wipe the exterior of the laptop thoroughly. Fully open the laptop, hold it with the screen and keyboard facing downwards, then wipe all wet surfaces with a towel or other water-absorbing fabric without small fibers. Distilled water causes the least harm, while sugary drinks and alcohol can be the most damaging. In general, minimize liquid damage by drying it out as soon as possible.
After drying the machine, you have two options to address the issue. The first option: Take the machine to repair shops. If your machine is still under warranty and the store where you purchased it supports warranty even in cases of water damage, you can take the laptop for warranty service. The second option: Disassemble the machine and repair it yourself. Note that disassembling the laptop may void your warranty. You also need to be extremely careful when disassembling the laptop, but quick self-repair can increase the survival chances for your laptop.
Dismantling the Machine
This is the most challenging step in the repair process. You need to disassemble the laptop to assess the extent of damage. You should remove the battery immediately when the laptop gets wet. Next, you need to detach the keyboard, screen frame, hard drive, optical drive, RAM, and finally the motherboard. If you have disassembly instructions, refer to them. If not, follow these steps:
- Find a screwdriver and a thin-bladed knife or another small, flat, and thick tool. Use the screwdriver to remove screws and the knife to pry and remove the casing.
- Many machines will allow you to remove the keyboard cover attached to the body of the machine. If your machine is designed this way, remove the screws. Proceed carefully and meticulously to avoid damaging or cutting cables at hard-to-spot locations.
- Once you've loosened the keyboard, remove the cover and use a knife to pry carefully. Absolutely do not use excessive force. If you can't remove the cover, check for any screws that haven't been removed. If the cover has a cable plugged into the body, detach this cable.
- Remove the keyboard carefully, avoiding breaking or damaging the cable. Typically, the keyboard cable connecting to the body of the machine will have a release lever for detachment.
- After removing the keyboard, observe whether the motherboard is wet or not. If the motherboard is not wet, you don't need to disassemble the machine.
If it is, you will need to remove the motherboard. First, wear gloves and an anti-static wristband to avoid causing electrostatic discharges that can damage components. Then, detach the cables connecting the parts on the motherboard. Remove the screws and detach the cables connecting the motherboard to the power supply motherboard.
Drying the Components
Inspect the components you've just removed to see if any parts are wet or corroded.
Dealing with Liquid Spills on Your Laptop
If the liquid spilled on your laptop is not distilled water, you should use cotton swabs dipped in 99% isopropyl alcohol to clean any stains. Isopropyl alcohol 99% is also safe for components and evaporates quickly without leaving marks on the surface. If you notice any part corroded by the spilled liquid, dip a toothbrush in alcohol, then gently scrub away the corrosion stains. On the screen, mix alcohol and distilled water in a 50:50 ratio, noting that tap water may contain minerals that can cause future short circuits, and then use the softest water-absorbent cloth you have to wipe it off.
Assembling the Machine
Once you have dried all the components, you need to reassemble the machine to see if you can successfully 'rescue' it. If not, your only choice is to take the machine to laptop repair centers. Even if the laptop works normally, it's highly likely that your keyboard is damaged and needs replacing. You can search for keyboard components for your machine type, priced from 1 to 2 million dong, and replace it at the store or by yourself.
If you want to attempt to 'rescue' the keyboard, you can wash the keyboard with warm water and soap. Then, air dry the keyboard for at least 1 week before reassembly.
If your laptop is non-removable
Dealing with Non-Removable Laptops
Nonetheless, before taking the machine for repair, the first thing you still need to do is flip it over and dry the surface with water-absorbent cloths. Then, place the machine on a completely dry surface. Your best bet is to place the machine in a box of rice because rice absorbs moisture well enough to absorb all the water that has penetrated inside the machine. Use a large bag of rice and place both the machine and rice in a spacious, dry room. Be careful not to let the rice enter the slots and machine boards. You can use a fan to speed up drying while waiting to take the machine to the store.
Waterproofing for Laptops from the Start
There are many products available to help protect your laptop from liquids, with the most common being silicone keyboard covers. You can also purchase skins for both the top and bottom of the machine, as well as screen protectors. Buy waterproof laptop bags. Note that you should avoid covering all ventilation holes: use scissors to cut holes to open the ventilation slots for the machine.
Above is the emergency guide in case your laptop gets wet, accidentally spilling water. To avoid spending money buying a new one or replacing components, apply the instructions above. Wish you success!
