How to Protect and Fix a Water Damaged MacBook – Do’s and Don’ts 

November 4, 2022

In the realm of technology, few events cause MacBook owners’ hearts to skip a beat quite like seeing water splash onto their beloved machines. Not only is water damage a normal occurrence, but it’s also a major problem that, if not taken care of right away and properly, might make your MacBook worthless. Whether it’s a knocked-over coffee cup, an unexpected rain shower, or an unintentional plunge into water, the effects may be severe and expensive.

This thorough tutorial is to provide you the information and doable actions required to safeguard and fix your MacBook that has been harmed by water. Following these professional advice and strategies may help you be more ready to manage this nerve-wracking event and maybe spare your equipment from permanent damage.

Right Actions Now

Every second matters when calamity strikes and water comes into touch with your laptop. Disconnecting the power source right away comes first and most importantly. Should your MacBook be plugged in, turn it off from the power outlet. Should it run on batteries, swiftly turn it off by pressing down the power button until the screen darkens.

You have to respond quickly but stay cool. Panic might result in bad decisions that could damage more people than benefit. Recall that in these first moments, your fast thinking and calm behavior can greatly influence the result of the problem.

Don’ts and Do’s

Knowing what to do and what to avoid can help you to raise your chances of saving your water-damaged MacBook. Here is a list of basic “do’s”:

• To empty extra water from the MacBook, gently tilt it such that water flows out organically. This stops water from seeping farther into interior parts.
• Employ absorbent materials: To absorb evident moisture, gently dab the outside of your MacBook with a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towels.
• Clear accessories: To stop any short circuits, disconnect any peripheral including dongles, USB devices, or external hard drives.
• If silica gel packets are available, arrange them around your MacBook to assist absorb air’s moisture.
• To help your MacBook naturally dry, set it in a well-ventilated, low humidity environment.

Just as crucial is learning what not to do in this regard. Here are some vital “don’ts” to keep under consideration:

• Don’t use a hairdryer; the heat can damage delicate parts and possibly drive moisture more into the gadget.
• Don’t activate the MacBook early on. Fight the want to find out whether it is working. Turning on wet equipment might lead to irreparable damage and short circuits.
• Don’t tilt or shake the MacBook aggressively: While draining water is crucial, forceful motions might distribute liquid to unaffected locations.
• Choose not to use rice. Unlike what most people think, rice is not a good drying agent and can possibly get starch and dust into your gadget.
• Refrain from charging the battery: There may be electrical harm if you connect a wet MacBook to a power source.

Determining the Damage of Your MacBook

It’s time to evaluate the degree of the water damage after you acted right away and followed the do’s and do not’s. Search for obvious signals like:

• Moisture or water droplets beneath the screen
• Discoloration or stains on the trackpad or keyboard
• Corrosion of connectors or ports
• odd noises when tilting the tool

Remember that not all water damage shows right away. Certain problems could not show up until a few days or even several weeks. Pay close attention to any performance changes including:

• Unanticipated pauses or restarts
• Battery draining more quickly than normal
• Either a keyboard or a trackpad breaks.
• Show discolouration or flickering.

If you see any of these indicators, you should act quickly to stop more damage.

Do-It-Yourself Repair Procedures

Although professional repair is usually the best course of action for water-damaged MacBooks, there are some do-it-yourself projects you might try to maybe minimize the damage:

• If you’re comfortable and have the appropriate tools, gently open your MacBook to provide improved air flow. This stage should only be tried if you know the internal parts and feel confident about your capacity to rebuild the gadget.
• Blow any last moisture from ports, vents, and other openings gently using compressed air. Exercise caution not to blow water farther into the apparatus.
• If you find corrosion on apparent components, gently clean them with a soft brush and isopropyl alcohol. Use great care; never touch any delicate area.
• employ a desiccant: Put your opened MacBook in a closed container with silica gel packets or another moisture-absorbing agent to create a homemade drying chamber. Allow it at least 48 hours.
• After completely dry your MacBook, gently reassemble it and try running it on. You should visit a specialist if it does not work or you observe any problems.

In conclusion

Water damage to your MacBook could be a trying and maybe expensive event. Still, you greatly raise your chances of salvaging your device by responding fast, using the correct procedures, and avoiding frequent errors. Recall these important points:

• Act quickly: Disconnect power and switch off your MacBook right away upon water contact.
• Follow the do’s and don’ts: Use absorbent objects, tilt to drain water, steer clear of heat sources and early power-ups.
• Analyze the harm. Search for obvious symptoms and track performance variations.
• Think about do-it-yourself actions: If you’re comfy, open the gadget; utilize compressed air; set up a drying space.
• When necessary, get expert advice. See professionals like Mr Fix for dependable repairs if in doubt or dealing with recurring problems.

Keeping this manual handy and ready for possible water mishaps will help you to manage such situations and safeguard your priceless MacBook. Recall that, in terms of water damage, prompt and suitable action can make all the difference between a little setback and a significant loss.