TL;DR
If you’ve spilled water on your MacBook, follow these steps:
- Unplug the charger from your MacBook and the power outlet.
- Shut down your MacBook and disconnect all peripherals.
- Move your MacBook to a dry area and blot away visible moisture with a microfiber cloth.
- If your MacBook has a removable battery, take it out.
- Air dry your Mac for 48-72 hours to let internal components dry completely.
- Back up your data to iCloud when your Mac turns on.
- Check for hardware damage by running Apple Diagnostics.
Accidents happen, but spilling water on your MacBook can be a nerve-wracking experience. However, taking immediate action can save your Mac from severe damage. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to take if you have spilled water on your MacBook, discuss the potential consequences of liquid damage, and provide some Mac maintenance tips. Let’s get started!
What to Do When You’ve Spilled Water on Your MacBook
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If you’ve accidentally spilled water on your MacBook, follow the steps I mentioned below in particular order. Acting quickly can prevent long-term damage to your Mac.
1. Unplug Your MacBook’s Charger
If your MacBook charger was plugged in when the spill occurred, unplug it immediately. Active circuits during a spill can cause significant damage to your device. So, disconnect the charger right away to cut off power to your Mac’s charging circuit.
However, if your device was charging when you spilled water on your MacBook, unplug the charger from the wall first, then from your Mac. Also, if the spill occurs close to the A/C outlet, be cautious when removing the charger from the wall.
To ensure your safety, consider using rubber gloves when unplugging the charger from the A/C outlets.
2. Turn Off Your MacBook and Disconnect All Accessories
After unplugging, the next step is to shut down your Mac and disconnect all accessories. This is crucial because it reduces the risk of electrical damage and short circuits. It also prevents potential data loss or corruption.
Follow these steps to power down your system and unplug all peripherals after you spilled water on your MacBook:
- Hold down the Power button until the MacBook turns off.
- Unplug external devices like the keyboard, mouse, USB drives, or other peripherals.
- Move the MacBook to a dry space, away from the spill, and dry off the peripherals if wet.
3. Move Your Mac Away From the Spill and Dry It Off
Once your Mac is turned off and all peripherals are disconnected, it’s safe to move it away from the spill. Carefully lift your Mac and place it on a dry towel in a moisture-free area.
While you move your Mac to a dry location, keep it upright and avoid shaking or tilting it. Don’t try to drain water from your device, or you’ll do more damage than good.
Next, remove as much liquid as possible. Depending on the spill’s severity, this can make a significant difference. Follow these steps to remove as much liquid as possible:
- Gently blot visible moisture using a paper towel, cotton, or microfiber cloth. Avoid rubbing; just dab lightly to absorb the moisture.
- Wipe the screen, keyboard, and trackpad using a soft cloth, covering all the corners and edges.
- To help drain excess liquid, turn your MacBook upside down and position it in a V shape.
- Prop your MacBook open in a V shape with the keyboard down to let the liquid flow out, reducing internal damage risk.
This method carries the risk that the distributed water from the bottom edge of the laptop may get into the optical (reflective) film inside the screen.
- Gently hold your MacBook in an upright position to prevent liquid from seeping further into the device.
- Insert a dry cotton bud into each port and twist it to absorb moisture. Repeat until the bud comes out dry.
Avoid using hairdryers or heaters, as they can cause further damage to your MacBook’s components.
4. Turn on Your Mac After Water Damage
After you spilled water on your MacBook, let it dry completely before turning it on. I recommend leaving it to dry for 48-72 hours. Because even if it seems fine, there could still be liquid inside that might cause damage when you turn it on.
It’s better to wait until it’s totally dry. When you’re sure it’s dry, turn it on and see if it works normally. If it does, that’s great, but remember, you still need to follow the next step.
5. Backup Your Data on Mac
As soon as your MacBook powers on after a water spill incident, the first and most crucial step is to back up your data. This is important because there might still be hidden damage from the water. Backing up saves all your important files and photos, so you won’t lose them if problems pop up later.
To back up your Mac data on iCloud, follow these steps:
- Make sure your Mac is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Select your Apple ID and click iCloud.
- Choose iCloud Drive.
- Click Apps syncing to iCloud Drive.
- You’ll see a list of apps. Toggle in the switches to the apps you want to enable syncing to iCloud Drive, and click Done.
Your Mac will now automatically back up your selected data to iCloud on a regular basis. You can also manually initiate a backup anytime by clicking Back Up Now in the iCloud Settings window.
6. Run Hardware Diagnostics
Next, after backing up your data, it’s a good idea to run a hardware diagnostic on your MacBook. This step is important to check if the water spill has caused any unseen damage to the internal components. The diagnostic can help identify any issues with your Mac’s hardware, ensuring everything is working as it should.
To ensure all components are functioning correctly after a spill, here’s how to run Apple’s Diagnostics test on Mac:
On Apple Silicon Mac
- Disconnect all peripherals devices except the keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, display, and power cable.
- Power off your Mac.
- Power on your Mac and continue holding the Power button until you see the startup options screen with the Options icon.
- Press the Command ⌘ + D keys.
On Intel-Based Mac
- Disconnect all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, display, and power cable.
- Shut down your Mac from the Apple menu.
- Press the power button and immediately press and hold the D key until you see a list of languages.
- Select a language to start Apple Diagnostics.
- Once the checking process is completed, you’ll see a report listing the detected issues. If you see an error message or reference code, note it and contact Apple Support or an authorized Apple service provider for further assistance.
7. AppleCare+ Claims and Authorized Repair Centers
The next step is to consider AppleCare+ claims and seek help from authorized repair centers, especially if you find any issues. If you have AppleCare+ for Mac, you might be eligible for repairs or replacements.
AppleCare+ is a special support plan for your MacBook that helps with accidents, including liquid damage. But how much it covers for water spills depends on the exact AppleCare+ plan you’ve got.
If your AppleCare+ plan covers liquid damage for your MacBook, you can file a claim to seek assistance. Here’s how:
- Check your AppleCare+ plan to ensure liquid damage is covered under your specific agreement.
- Gather all necessary documentation, including your MacBook’s serial number, date of purchase, and AppleCare+ plan details.
- Visit the Apple Support website or call Apple Support to initiate the claim process.
- Provide the requested information and follow the instructions given by the Apple Support representative.
You may need to pay a service fee for the repair, depending on the terms of your AppleCare+ plan.
If AppleCare+ doesn’t cover your MacBook, you can seek professional help from an authorized repair center. These centers are certified by Apple to repair their products, ensuring your device is in capable hands.
To find an authorized repair center:
- Visit the Apple Support website and verify if your provider has access to Apple genuine parts.
- Enter your provider’s name, your country, and city.
- Confirm your provider’s status and contact them to schedule an appointment or discuss your issue.
What Not to Do When You’ve Spilled Water on Your Mac
When you’ve spilled water on your MacBook, it is crucial to avoid actions that could further damage it or decrease the chances of recovery.
Here’s a list of what not to do when you’ve spilled water on your MacBook:
- ⚠️ Do Not Keep the Mac Turned On: Continuing to use your Mac after a spill can lead to electrical shorts and further damage. Turn it off immediately.
- 🚫 Avoid Pressing Keys or Clicking the Trackpad: Applying pressure on the keys or trackpad could push the liquid further into the device, increasing the risk of damage.
- 🔥 Do Not Attempt to Dry the Mac Using Heat: Using a hairdryer, heater, or any other source of heat can warp or melt internal components, causing more damage.
- 🌊 Avoid Shaking or Tilting the Mac Forcefully: Doing so can cause the liquid to spread to other areas, increasing the risk of damage to other components.
- ⏳ Do Not Turn On the Mac Too Soon: Let the Mac dry out completely before turning it on, as powering it up while still wet can cause more damage. Wait at least 48 hours before turning the Mac back on.
- 🔧 Avoid Disassembling the Mac If You’re Inexperienced: While disassembling the Mac can help with drying, it can also void your warranty or cause additional damage if done improperly.
- 🧪 Do Not Use Abrasive or Harsh Chemicals to Clean the Mac: Stick to using isopropyl alcohol (preferably 99%) and a soft, lint-free cloth for cleaning any affected areas. Harsh chemicals can damage the device further.
Moving Forward From Spilled Water on Your MacBook
Spilling water on your MacBook can be a stressful experience, but taking quick and appropriate action can save your device. Keep the following tips in mind in such a situation:
- Mac maintenance is crucial for keeping your device in top shape and prolonging its life.
- Prevent your Mac from overheating if you have spilled water on your MacBook to avoid further damage and improve its performance.
- Learn more about whether MacBooks are waterproof and how to keep them safe from water damage.
