MacBook· 4 min read
Liquid spilled on your MacBook: first aid for water damage
Spilled coffee over the keyboard? Here's how to react correctly so that a small mishap doesn't turn into a total write-off.
A knocked-over glass next to your MacBook – it happens faster than you’d think. The good news: if you react correctly, there’s a good chance of saving the device. The bad news: liquid damage gets worse with every hour.
1. Switch it off immediately and disconnect the power
Press and hold the power button until the MacBook switches off, and unplug the power adapter. Electricity and liquid are the most dangerous combination – short circuits can instantly destroy components on the logic board.
2. Let the liquid drain out
Open the MacBook as far as it will go and stand it on a towel like an upside-down “V”, with the keyboard facing down. That way, liquid can run out of the keyboard instead of seeping deeper inside. Carefully dab away any visible liquid.
3. Don’t open it yourself – and don’t use a hairdryer
- No hairdryer, no radiator, no direct sunlight. Heat spreads moisture and can damage the battery and screen.
- Don’t switch it back on to “try it out”. Even if the MacBook appears to start normally, residues and corrosion can spread over the following days.
- Don’t unscrew it yourself. Without the right tools and experience, it’s easy to cause additional damage.
4. Not all liquids are the same
Pure water is comparatively harmless. Coffee, sweetened tea, juice, beer or soft drinks, on the other hand, leave sticky, conductive residues that attack the contacts. In these cases, professional cleaning is especially important.
5. Have it checked by a professional
Bring your MacBook to us switched off. During the water damage diagnosis, we open the device, clean the affected areas and check which components have been damaged. You’ll then receive a transparent repair price – often a thorough clean or the replacement of individual components such as the keyboard or trackpad is enough.
Important for your data: The best protection against data loss is a regular backup, for example with Time Machine. That way, your files are safe even if something does go wrong.
