What to do when you spill water in your laptop keyboard
Any amount of liquid, from a drop to a cup, is dangerous to a computer. Sugary drinks such as soda and juice and liquids with alcohol are especially harmful. These are conductive and leave a sticky residue that can kill a laptop long after they’ve dried.
There is no guarantee that your laptop will be unharmed after contact with liquid. By acting swiftly with proper cleanup and securing methods, you might be able to minimize the damage. Here are some tips on what to do – and not to do – for your laptop in case of an accidental spill.
What to Do
Turn it off. Shut down your system and avoid rebooting for any reason.Dry the surface. Blot the computer with a soft, dry cloth. Some tech experts recommend warming the cloth (e.g., in the dryer) to help pull as much moisture as possible.
Remove the external battery and attachments. If your laptop has an external battery, carefully detach it. Unplug all other external components, including adapters, removable drives and devices, etc. If they remain plugged in, they can prevent the system from booting. Wipe them clean with a cloth, and let them dry.
Wait. Give your laptop time to dry. It’s hard to tell how much liquid may have drained inside so it may take hours, even days. Turning on a computer before it’s completely dry can short circuit the system.
Get protection. Liquid spills can cause hardware damage that may be unknown and not covered under standard warranty. We recommend purchasing Accidental Damage Protection. This coverage adds protection above your warranty, including damages from spilled liquids, but it must be purchased within the first 90 days after you purchase your PC
Always back up your data. In case of an accident, it is a good idea to back up data on an external hard drive or a cloud storage service such as Lenovo REACHit. You will be able to access and manage files on a different device.
What Not to Do
It is tempting to try almost anything to clean a spill on a computer. But these wrong methods can make a bad situation worse, and result in costly repairs.Use heat. The heat from hair dryers and fans is hard to control, and can melt keyboards and internal parts. It is best to let the laptop air dry.
Shake or turn on its side. There is debate on whether you should turn an open laptop down on its long end and drain liquid out. We do not recommend doing this because it can distribute the liquid and affect other parts. If you need to clean underneath the laptop, gently lift the laptop without shaking it.
Watch this video to see how a ThinkPad T440s is able to still work even after a glass of wine, mug of coffee and entire pitcher of water are spilled on the keyboard! Notice the spill-resistant keyboard and how the laptop is kept in a steady, horizontal position.
Try to fix it yourself. Even advanced users can do irreparable damage by attempting to open and fix their laptops. Because even a small spill can wreak havoc and the damage can take time to appear, it’s best to seek professional help. Contact Lenovo Support for technical assistance with your PC. Have the model number, serial number, and warranty information ready for faster service.
The best methods to protect your computer from accidental spills are by avoiding exposure to liquids, only handling liquids in sealed containers and having Accidental Damage Protection.
Source: Lenovo
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