How to Troubleshoot a MacBook after a Liquid Spill

Absorb as much moisture as possible from your MacBook if it suffers from liquid damage.

An accidental liquid spill to your MacBook can render it useless if the liquid reaches the logic board, and is not covered by the AppleCare plan nor your one-year warranty as it is considered liquid damage. While your chances of recovering information from the laptop are slim if it was powered on, you can troubleshoot the issue before taking it in to an Apple specialist who can determine what part of the laptop is damaged and give you an estimate of the replacement cost.

Instructions

1. Press and hold the Power button if the MacBook is on to immediately shut off the laptop. Although the laptop may be wet, the logic board can be permanently damaged if it is connected to a power source and on during the liquid spill.

2. Leave the cover of your Macbook open, and turn it upside down to drain any excess water from the laptop. A sticky substance such as sugary sodas or coffee with cream can cause more damage to your MacBook than a clear liquid, such as water.

3. Allow the laptop to dry for at least 72 hours. The more time that has elapsed since the initial spill, the better chances you have of the MacBook thoroughly drying. A completely dry MacBook decreases the likelihood of an electrical short caused by powering up the device. Once the MacBook has dried, press the "Power" button to turn on the laptop.

References

• Apple: Support - MacBook FAQ - Service
• "How to Do Everything Mac"; Dwight Spivey; 2008

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish