The Official "I spilled liquid in my MacBook, what do I do now?" Thread

[chscag]

If it won't work on its internal battery it's not going to work with a Hyper Juice pack or anything else. Apple is probably right, the spill damaged something on the logic board (motherboard) and now the machine will only work from AC.

Your best bet is to continue using it that way or sell it as is and use the money to buy a new machine.

 

[cwa107]

If it won't work on its internal battery it's not going to work with a Hyper Juice pack or anything else. Apple is probably right, the spill damaged something on the logic board (motherboard) and now the machine will only work from AC.

Your best bet is to continue using it that way or sell it as is and use the money to buy a new machine.

Well, the HyperJuice pack connects through the MagSafe port like a MagSafe adapter. So, if it's supplying the same DC current that the MacBook currently works with, I don't see why it wouldn't work for him.

 

[chscag]

Well, the HyperJuice pack connects through the MagSafe port like a MagSafe adapter.

I forgot about that. For some reason I was thinking it connected thru the battery. Yes, it should work the same as connected to AC from the MagSafe although I'm not sure I would want to spend the $$ for one and then have to lug it around with the MacBook.

 

[Eveline]

Spilled liquid on macbook

I was so stupid to spill a drink on my mac book pro that i bought last july. I cleaned it immediately and took of the power adapter. Than I switched of the computer, dried it a bit more, and finally used the blow-dryer. Than I tried to switch it on again and thank god this worked. However, I do remark that the computer is slower and the trackpad is not working properly.
My questions are;

1. Can I already use my computer or should i let it dry?
2. At home I have gears to open the computer, is this wise to do myself or shall I ask someone else from the apple store?
3. When can I use the power adapter again?

Are there more tips someone can give me?

Thanks in advance! Eveline

 

[cwa107]

I was so stupid to spill a drink on my mac book pro that i bought last july. I cleaned it immediately and took of the power adapter. Than I switched of the computer, dried it a bit more, and finally used the blow-dryer. Than I tried to switch it on again and thank god this worked. However, I do remark that the computer is slower and the trackpad is not working properly.
My questions are;

1. Can I already use my computer or should i let it dry?
2. At home I have gears to open the computer, is this wise to do myself or shall I ask someone else from the apple store?
3. When can I use the power adapter again?

Are there more tips someone can give me?

Thanks in advance! Eveline

I went ahead and merged this with our "Official 'I spilled liquid in my MacBook, what do I do now' Thread". The first post in this thread addresses all of your questions.

 

[Eveline]

thanks for redirecting and helping me w/ my questions

Thanks for connecting my questions to the right thread. I read a lot of the advices before I asked my question on the forum. And I can understand that the general information also concerns me. Its just that I felt I wanted to ask to be more sure even and I really need to work and wasn't sure if it hurts the computer. think I should take "let it dry" literally and not work w/ it.

 

[Eveline]

thanks

That was a very fast re-direction! Thanks. As this is my first time I was a bit lost. ..
Thanks for connecting my questions to the right thread. I read a lot of the advices before I asked my question on the forum. And I can understand that the general information also concerns me. Its just that I felt I wanted to ask to be more sure even and I really need to work and wasn't sure if it hurts the computer. think I should take "let it dry" literally and not work w/ it.

 

[cwa107]

That was a very fast re-direction! Thanks. As this is my first time I was a bit lost. ..
Thanks for connecting my questions to the right thread. I read a lot of the advices before I asked my question on the forum. And I can understand that the general information also concerns me. Its just that I felt I wanted to ask to be more sure even and I really need to work and wasn't sure if it hurts the computer. think I should take "let it dry" literally and not work w/ it.

I understand and appreciate your concern.

Unfortunately, liquid exposure is a complete crap shoot and the advice in the first post applies nearly universally. The best thing you can do is to let the machine dry out, removed from power, for as long as possible. The result is anybody's guess. Best case scenario is that the machine behaves normally once the liquid dries. Worst case is that one of several, very expensive components is shorted out or damaged in some way.

In all cases, the machine is no longer covered under warranty unless it is repaired by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP). Unless the machine is very new, the repair will typically exceed the value of the machine.

This is just one of those things that is better prevented than trying to recover from. It stinks, I get it, but it's a fact of life with computers.

 

[DaiseyMoonshine]

"I spilled liquid in my MacBook, what do I do now?"

I would probably kill myself, lol

 

[Adavies2]

beer on brand mew retina macbook pro

Last night my friend spilt a small amount of beer on my brand newac nook, the spill was mainly on the hinge of the laptop but a bit went on the keyboard. I know this sort of thing is posted all the time but I just want to know how long till I give up hope of it working and take it the Apple store and what do I do in the mean time??
Thanks
Alex

 

[cwa107]

Last night my friend spilt a small amount of beer on my brand newac nook, the spill was mainly on the hinge of the laptop but a bit went on the keyboard. I know this sort of thing is posted all the time but I just want to know how long till I give up hope of it working and take it the Apple store and what do I do in the mean time??
Thanks
Alex

Give it 72 hours powered off (potentially longer in humid conditions). In the meantime, I recommend prayer and lots of it.

 

[Eveline]

As to:

I understand and appreciate your concern..

i let it dry more than 72 hours and switched it on today; the laptop; seems to be working . Some of the letters on the keyboard sound really sticky. Any tip for this? Starting up lasts longer, but further, so far so good. hope this stays this way.

 

[mathpop]

some keys won't work

I spilled a few drops of water on my laptop, so I turned it off and I let it alone for a day or so. The next day I turned on my laptop and I learned that the following keys weren't working:0,9,o,l,.,command, and option. (all on the right hand side)The problem is that I need the "l" key to log on to my computer because my username includes an "l". Its been three days now, what should I do?

 

[Mikeo1938]

My post of 08-04-2012 in this thread was somewhat over-optimistic. I used a magic mouse but left the trackpad in operation for some days. Then, a couple of days ago, I was typing away when all of a sudden, the cursor started jumping around again all by itself. I have now disabled the trackpad again via Universal Access. With regard to the post from "mathpop", I suggest that you try an external keyboard via the USB socket or perhaps a wireless one.

M

 

[mac-pas]

I spilled water (a few ml) through air vents of MacBook Pro (17') when it was on. The screen went off. First I tipped it over to get some water out, I then took off the cover and dried the computer a few hours. When I turned it on, the starting light was on for a few seconds, then briefly off and then kept on, but the screen remains off. Please advise what went wrong..

I wish that I had read some of the comments before I turned on.

Thanks

 

[cwa107]

I spilled water (a few ml) through air vents of MacBook Pro (17') when it was on. The screen went off. First I tipped it over to get some water out, I then took off the cover and dried the computer a few hours. When I turned it on, the starting light was on for a few seconds, then briefly off and then kept on, but the screen remains off. Please advise what went wrong..

Do you mean aside from allowing liquid to go where it doesn't belong?

I wish that I had read some of the comments before I turned on.

Thanks

Don't feel bad - if the machine was powered on while this happened, the damage was likely done the instant the spill occurred. Trying to dry out or otherwise mitigate the accident is a crap shoot at best. There's really not a whole lot you could have done differently.

 

[carpenterken]

Like those before me, I got a small bit of liquid on my keyboard. The instant it happened, I flipped the Macbook pro over, and grabbed a towel. I had it in front of the dehumidifier for quite some time, but It still dose not fire up.
Likely the small amount that got in fried the logic board.
I Can get a new logic board on line for around $400 (macbook pro 2010).
How likely is it that only the logic board is bad?
It turns on now, then shuts off, and repeats that process till hold down the power button to shut her down. I do not get a screen to turn on.
Sincerely, feeling the pain.

 

[chscag]

If you're lucky, replacing the logic board will be all that you need to do. However, with spills it's hard to determine what long term damage may show up later on. If it was only water and you cleaned it up inside, there will be less chance of corrosion setting in.

 

[LucifeL]

Few precautions

Some personally set rules of mine...

1. Always use a silicone Keyboard protector during casual use and try to avoid beverages while on system.

2. the Silicone keyboard cover only comes off during process heavy work, i do this with or without the cooling pad... if you have a verry efficient cooling pad you could probably pass.. but whatever ! its up to you. But during this time, ALL DRINKS are PROHIBITED. I never break this rule

Last week, breaking rule 1 backfired on me... when i accidentally spilled some diet coke penny size on the edge of the trackpad. For half a sec i was horrified if it would seep thought the edge of the trackpad, but on the second half my wits had the better of me so i just instinctively dived and lip locked around it with my mouth and sucked like the dast breath before drowning, i could have given my vacuums cleaner a run for its money. That saved the day ;D .

 

[chscag]

Our advice besides the no drinks or food around computers, is buy a notebook stand. A stand elevates the machine for better cooling and viewing besides giving protection against nasty spills.