What to do if you spilled water on MacBook

It's every Mac owner's worst nightmare — spilled water on a MacBook. It's no surprise that liquid and MacBooks just don't mix.

It's one of those dreaded situations, but let's face it: accidents happen to us all. So, If you've found yourself in this unwanted scenario, we've got some tips for you; we'll cover what you can do if your Mac is still working, if it won't turn on, or if you have water damage to the screen.

All hope is not lost; let's jump straight in and get to action quickly.

I spilled water on my MacBook, but it still works

You need to act fast to prevent further damage, so if you're one of the lucky ones whose Mac still seems to be working after a spillage, here's what you to do:

1. Turn your Mac off using the power button.

2. Disconnect your Mac from the main power supply.

3. Remove any connected devices, like additional screens, keyboards, and other peripherals.

4. Place your device upside down and allow gravity to extract the liquid.

Let your Mac dry for 24 hours and book an appointment with your local approved Apple repair center. Check here for nearby options.

We've seen some crazy suggestions on the forums of how to dry out a wet or water-damaged Mac, so here's a reminder of what not to do, no matter how tempting:

• Don't dry it with a hairdryer.

• Don't use rice to absorb liquid.

• Don't shake your Mac to get liquid out.

• Don't put it on a radiator to dry it out quicker.

If it was a small amount of liquid like a splash of water that landed on your Mac's keyboard, in theory, your Mac should be able to handle this; act quickly by following the steps above, and try turning it on once it's completely dry.

When things like this happen, it's a good reminder of just how much care is needed when it comes to our Macs; when you turn your Mac back on, why not run some cleanup and maintenance items and give it some TLC?

How to keep your Mac in good shape

If you use a tool like CleanMyMac, it comes with a great feature called Smart Care, which performs five in-depth optimization tasks, from a Mac deep clean to checking for updates, threats, and storage decluttering. It's a great way to show your Mac some love; here's how it works:

1. Get CleanMyMac trial here.

2. Open the app and click Smart Care > Scan.

3. Once complete, run the suggested tasks by selecting items and clicking Run.

Ok, now we've covered that extra tip, let's get back to MacBook water damage tips.

I spilled water on my MacBook, and it won't turn on

If you spilled water on your MacBook keyboard and it won't turn on, then it's likely it caused damage to your Mac's internal hardware. Our advice here is don't play around and don't waste time; here's what you can do:

1. Remove any connected peripherals.

2. Turn your machine upside down for 24 hours to let it dry out.

3. Book an appointment at your local Apple-approved repair center.

Don't be tempted to put your Mac on a radiator or use any kind of warming device to help it dry quicker; this can, too, cause additional damage.

Water in MacBook screen

Water damage to your MacBook screen is another troubling issue. If something leaks in your laptop bag and enters your Mac's screen, you might be greeted with a partially working or glitchy screen the next time you turn it on. You might even be able to see liquid in the screen itself.

Here are a few steps you can take:

1. Back up your Mac immediately with Time Machine (if you can, and it's safe to do so)

2. Turn off your Mac and unplug from any power source.

3. Let it rest upside down for 24 hours to dry out.

4. Call your local approved Mac repair center.

Any kind of damage to your Mac is stressful, and it's perhaps a wise reminder that at any moment, we can encounter unexpected issues. Make sure you back up your personal data regularly to avoid data loss caused by accidents and damage.

So, we've covered all there is to know about how to get water out of MacBook screen. We hope these tips helped, and we hope you can get your Mac back up and running. Let's finish this article with a couple of FAQs.

FAQs: MacBook water damage repair

If you spill liquid on a MacBook, can it be repaired?

This will depend on the damage caused, the age of your Mac, and what kind of coverage you have, but in many cases, they can be fixed, or in the worst-case scenario, data can be recovered. Don't lose hope.

Does AppleCare cover water damage on a Mac?

Accidental water damage isn't covered by standard Apple Care. But if you've got AppleCare+ with accidental damage coverage, you might be able to get repairs at a reduced cost. It's certainly worth checking out.

Can I use my MacBook if it turns on after getting wet?

Unless it was a small little spatter or splash, even if your Mac turns on after a big spill, using it immediately could be a bit risky. If any of the internal components are still wet, it could cause even more damage, so wait those 24 hours, no matter how tempting it is, as this will significantly reduce the further risk issue.

What will it cost to repair a water-damaged MacBook?

It's sadly not a straightforward answer; this is going to completely depend on the severity of the damage, the model of your Mac, and whether or not you have any AppleCare+ coverage.