[cwa107]

Here at Mac-Forums, we see quite a few questions about what to do after spilling liquid inside of Mac Notebooks. Obviously, liquids and electronics don't mix, so while the answer may seem obvious, there are a few tricks you can try to bring your equipment back to life.

• First and foremost, immediately remove ALL power, this includes the battery. The chances of a short occurring as the liquid continues to travel within your machine are greatly reduced by removing power quickly.
  
  
• Allow the machine to dry out for a significant period of time, preferably in an area of low humidity and with good air circulation. Generally this means a minimum of 72 hours. Longer time periods may be necessary depending on the ambient humidity level. Drying time may be decreased by sealing the notebook in a box with uncooked, dry rice or silica gel packets, which reduce humidity.
  
  
• DO NOT test the machine until after you've allowed a significant drying period. Obviously, you're probably anxious to see if you're facing a hefty repair bill, but your patience will be rewarded. Generally, the longer you wait to plug it back in, the better.
  
  
• Disassembling the machine to clean it will void your warranty - but then, if you spilled liquid in the machine, your warranty is void anyway. So, if you're comfortable with it, it might not be a bad idea to get in there and clean as best you can. Disassembly instructions are available at iFixIt.com Use lightly moistened cotton swabs to gently blot the liquid effected areas. Do not use any kind of solvents on the internals.
  
  
• Spill damage is always very evident. Most electronics manufacturers, Apple included, affix liquid-sensitive stickers on the insides of machines to detect spills. Don't take the machine to an Apple Store, expecting a warranty repair.
  
  
• If you power the machine on and find that it's not fully functional, or that functionality is limited, the damage is likely already done. You should not expect it to improve without replacing the systemboard and/or cabling and other components.

[D3v1L80Y]

I would also add that it makes no difference what liquid it was.

The steps to take above are the same for each sort of liquid.

Water, beer, wine, orange juice, apple juice, coffee with lots of sugar and cream, milk, soda... anything... if it's wet, then it's bad.
Don't think that any of these or your special liquid somehow warrants a new thread to be started.
Liquid spills are just plain bad for computers.

[huffmani]

Before anything else. Do this. Go buy a 1. big plastic bin that will fit your whole computer closed with the lip slightly open. 2 A plastic trash bag, 3. Duck tape Tape 4. silica gel or desiccant crystals. You can by these at a craft store or home depot.

Step 1: Get the bin and lay a thick layer of silica gel or desiccant crystals on the bottom of the bin.

Step 2: Cut a square that is just bigger than the macbook out of an old sheet or plastic trash bag and lay it on top of the layer of desiccant crystals.

Step 3: Set your macbook on the plastic / rag with its screen slightly open.

Step 4: replace the lid and tape shut the bin. Careful to not have the macbook directly touch the crystals / gel.

Step 5: wait 24-48 hours

Test the macbook (on battery if possible).

Repeat up to 3 times.

Basically the crystals will slowly absorb the liquid in the environment. Literally sucking the liquid out of the macbook. The longer you wait the better the results.

(also works on ipods that go through the wash).

[pigoo3]

I would add that the type of liquid that's spilled on a computer can be important (but of course ALL liquids are bad).

For example let's say you spill water on a laptop, disconnect/remove all power, and let it sit for 72 hours or more to let it dry. When it finally dries little or no residue will remain.

But...let's say you spill something like a carbonated beverage (soda/pop, whatever you may call it) or a fruit juice. Because it has "sugars" dissolved in it (from 10-16% sugar)...as it dries it will go from a:

- "normal" looking/flowing liquid
- to a thicker liquid
- to a "sticky" liquid
- then to a "syrupy" liquid
- finally to a sticky syrup-like residue.

As the water in a carbonated-sweetened beverage or fruit juice evaporates, the remaining liquid & sugar solution will take longer to completely dry.

For example, pour 4 ounces of water on a table top, and along side of it pour 4 ounces of a carbonated beverage...then check it each day to see how the evaporation is progressing.

You will find that it takes much much longer for the 4 ounces of carbonated beverage to completely dry than the 4 ounces of water...AND when the 4 ounces of carbonated beverage dries...you will be left with a sticky residue (which may or may not conduct electricity).

The main point being...if you spill water on a laptop, 72 hours may be a good rule of thumb to wait. But if you're drinking other beverages (fruit juice's, carbonated beverages, tomato juice, energy drinks, sports drinks, etc.)...you may have to wait much longer.

- Nick

[jsnyder16]

If, after trying everything previously written on this thread, your MacBook fails to turn on, then I suggest taking it to your local Apple Specialist or computer specialist and having them retrieve the files off of your hard drive. It is a bummer if your MacBook dies, however it is going to suck if you lose your data as well. Believe me, I had 80GB of information erased because of a similar problem and I never got it back. Unless you've already backed up all your files. Then that shouldn't be a problem.

If you do end up getting your MacBook to work or getting a new one all together, but it is susceptible to liquid spills, then I suggest going to BestBuy and getting the Geek Squad's insurance for MacBooks. Although it is only a year warranty and not as great as AppleCare, it does cover "accidents" such as liquid spills. AppleCare obviously does not cover this and if you expect that liquid may strike again, I suggest getting this insurance from Geek Squad.

[marita02]

Just spilled rootbeer on my MacBook -- it's now enclosed (without the battery in it) in a taped closed plastic box with uncooked/dry basmati rice (no silica gel easily accessible). Hope this works!

[techiesteve]

In my work I see a lot of Macbooks and Macbook Pro's with liquid spillage. A lot of users find that after an exterior cleanup their Mac may work, then they breath a sigh of relief. In many cases, sometimes weeks later, the Mac can then fail. An internal examination shows green or white mucky corroded areas around surface mount components on the dead logic board. Cleaning up at this stage makes no difference, it's too late. If after the accident the board had been cleaned up with a stiff brush and isopropyl alcohol while taking anti static precautions, the Mac would most likely be still working. Bear in mind the spillage may also be under the logic board, an area you won't see without considerable dismantling. Some of the worst spills I've seen have been caused by knocking a drink over by the left side of the earlier Macbooks, and the liquid enters via the port openings. Due to the nature of their construction, it is much easier for liquid to enter earlier Macbooks than Macbook Pro's. Either keep drinks away from computers, or make sure you are adequately insured.

[ilifexxx]

Wait, hang on, so you're saying AppleCare doesn't cover liquid spills?

[bobtomay]

No it doesn't. Applecare is a warranty against defective labor and materials, not insurance.

[Jakew903]

Last time I did that to my old Mac Desktop, I fried the hard drive. I wish I would have known about this forum before. R.I.P. G4

[eissaallam]

OK i spilled coffee on my macbook and i did whatever needs to be done to bring it on again. Actually it is up but the charging circuit is having a problem.
IT gave my full battery and after that starts charging and then full battery etc.
i removed the battery and now it is working with the charger on without the battery.
Any suggestions ??

[eissaallam]

Well after searching in the forum more and more , i found a soultion which i think solved the problem , but i'm still testing it.
Reset the PRAM and NVRAM by restarting the macbook while pressing on P+R+Command+Option keys.

Originally Posted by eissaallam

OK i spilled coffee on my macbook and i did whatever needs to be done to bring it on again. Actually it is up but the charging circuit is having a problem.
IT gave my full battery and after that starts charging and then full battery etc.
i removed the battery and now it is working with the charger on without the battery.
Any suggestions ??

[jeanaf]

I'm aware I already posted this on mac rumors but i think this is a better thread to post under and get the most help.

Ok, so, I definitely damaged my keyboard. I, like many other fools, spilled water on my MacBook. I took all measures not to damage the entire computer.. (it turning it upside down, drying out, etc.)
My MacBook, AND the internet, still works. As a matter of fact I am typing to you from a bluetooth keyboard from my macbook as we speak.
My questions are:
1] YES I KNOW water damage voids my warranty and isnt under apple care (silly, i just bought this macbook less than a year ago). But how much do you think it would be to have it replaced? The apple store refuses to give me a ballpark price over the phone. I'm a poor college student =[
2.] Do you think the keyboard is the only damage done? My MacBook seems to be running fine but my keyboard freaks out.. It started with "Q's" repeating.. then now I think it just keeps hitting the command key itself. The trackpad works fine though.

Your insight would be greatly appreciated guys.

[phillegass]

My mother has a Macbook she got for Christmas. She had it in a bag, and spilled water all over it. She got worried, tried to start it multiple times, and basically has fried the computer. Apple care won't cover it, and Am ex (which she bought it with) says they only extend the manufacturer's warranty. Does anyone on here have any additional advice, or any additional options to try to pursue in lieu of purchasing a brand new computer?

[cwa107]

Originally Posted by phillegass

My mother has a Macbook she got for Christmas. She had it in a bag, and spilled water all over it. She got worried, tried to start it multiple times, and basically has fried the computer. Apple care won't cover it, and Am ex (which she bought it with) says they only extend the manufacturer's warranty. Does anyone on here have any additional advice, or any additional options to try to pursue in lieu of purchasing a brand new computer?

You could send it out to a repair service like TechRestore.com or MacService.com, but depending on the extent of the damage, it could easily exceed the value of the machine.

The simply fact is, water and electronics don't mix - and when they do, you can expect damage. So, your only option is to replace the damaged components. If those happen to be the screen, the system board (basically the "guts" of the machine) and the drives - well, the only part unaffected is the casing, which has relatively little value. Repairing the machine basically amounts to buying a new one, since you're literally doing on an ala carte basis.