How to Fix a Wet Laptop
How were you supposed to know your computer can't swim? Isn't it called a laptop?
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You Will Need
- Paper towels or lint-free cloth
- Cotton swabs
- A towel
- Lots of luck
- Professional help
Steps
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Liquids and electricity don't mix. Please make sure your hardware and all points of electrical contact are completely dry before plugging them in.
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Step 1
Power down
When your laptop gets wet, immediately cut off the power supply and shut the computer down. Remove the battery, as well as the hard drive and any peripherals.
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Step 2
Drain and dry
Pour as much water as you can off the surface of the laptop. Use paper towels or lint-free cloth and cotton swabs to clean and dry the laptop, battery, and any removable parts or peripherals. Don't use a hairdryer or a microwave; it can melt your hardware.
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If you spilled a soft drink, coffee, liquor, or any other substance that isn't water on your laptop, you'll probably need to send it in for a professional repair.
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Step 3
Let it sit
Lay a towel on a flat surface. Open the laptop, turn it upside down, and let it drain onto the towel for a few days.
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Step 4
Reinsert the battery
Reinsert the battery, and turn the machine on. If it powers up, let it run for an hour or so and shut it down again. If it doesn't, try plugging in the power cord.
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Make sure that the power cable and power brick are completely dry. Moisture can cause them to spark or catch fire.
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Step 5
Reinstall the extras
If your laptop worked well on battery power, you're probably out of the woods. Reinstall the removable parts and peripherals, fire the machine back up, and count your lucky stars.
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Step 6
Take it for repairs
If your laptop works when it's plugged in, but not on battery power — or if you're experiencing any other problems — take it in for repairs.
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The nonprofit organization One Laptop Per Child has developed a sturdy, spill-proof, and energy efficient laptop that's intended for use by children in developing nations.
