How to bring a water damaged MacBook back to life?

There is a general rule concerning electronic devices: “no food or drinks allowed nearby”. Although this is true in the majority of workplace and school settings. But it isn’t always observed in informal settings such as at home or while on the move.

Water, or any other kind of fluid can cause various damage after they have filtered through laptop keyboards. Within the battery compartment or any other place where active circuitry can be found. The effects of liquids are not limited to shorts, and possibly battery damage. However, rust that is not properly checked can also speed up the process of ageing of the MacBook. Particularly for those components that are expensive to replace, such as the logic board. Fortunately, damage caused by the spill of water. Or even from the immersion of water can prevent by catching it in time.

1. Disconnect the cable and switch off the power to your MacBook

This is a no-brainer: even when your MacBook is not connected to its own power source. Other devices connected through wires could generate the current. Take all gadgets and accessories off all port connections which includes external displays.

Step 2. Dry the outside of your MacBook

Utilizing a towel, soak the maximum amount of liquid you can from your laptop. Focusing on the keyboard, and any other way that directs the liquid into the aluminum body.

Step 3: detach the panel on the bottom.

As terrifying as this may sound however, there is a high possibility that water. Or other liquids are accumulating within the laptop in large enough quantities that they cause damage. Even if the laptop is turned shut down however, the battery remains attached and residing within the laptop. The battery is among the most difficult parts to take apart on an macbook air water damage. It’s therefore essential to do it right and take the lower cover off will allow water to drain more quickly. And allow for better airflow for parts inside to get dry.

Utilizing gravity is the most efficient method of draining as much liquid from the MacBook as is possible. Therefore, the laptop needs to be propped against the wall, on a laptop stand or any other surface that could create an area between the laptop’s keyboard and the surface that the laptop is resting on. While the display is open and the laptop hanging in 90-degrees, let the liquid to flow into the keyboard as well as other crevices.

To speed up the process, the use of an air compressor can be employed, with an extremely low setting. You must make use of your own judgment in blowing air hot over any electronic device because air that is too hot could cause damage to contact points and other circuitry that is that are susceptible to temperature.

4. The waiting

Due to the complex nature of all electronic devices particularly laptop computers, all kinds of water will require some time to completely dry. It is important to be patient in order to not activate the laptop even a day later than is recommended could result in moisture causing damage through shorting contacts. A couple of days ought to suffice, so long that you ensure that the MacBook is kept air-conditioned and dry environment.

Step 5: Press your fingers and turn on your MacBook

After a couple of weeks have gone by, your MacBook is likely to be completely dry and ready to test. Do not immediately connect it into a source of power. It may sound suspicious however, no amount of precaution is too much in the case of electronics and water. The laptop remains disconnected and its cover replaced, turn it on and power it on. If the laptop isn’t responding Connect it to its power source and try it again because the battery may be running low. In this case, the MacBook is required to turn off and restart its normal operation.

There are two ways to drain water from your MacBook and get it working again.

Method 1 

To drain a MacBook Pro or Air that was manufactured before 2013, or 2018, with a nonretina screen, first place it upside down in a V shape or “tent”. Apple MacBooks with non-retina screens usually have a protective glass case or aluminum frame to stop water from getting into the screen.

Non-retina-screen Macbooks are not recommended to use the upside-down V position. This is because their screens are thinner and more fragile due to the loss of the protective glass and sturdy aluminum frames. These screens are not water-resistant, and can encourage the growth of water within your screen. This will affect the quality of images as shown in the image below. Additional repair costs will be required to replace the retina screen. This may not be affordable for most people.

Lift your device’s lid to check that it is at least 90 degrees. Place your MacBook on a flat surface such as a tabletop or benchtop with the screen facing down and the keyboard part hanging. Flat-screen positions will stop water from seeping inside and prevent it from leaking or dripping. To prevent water from leaking or falling off the screen, you can also place a towel or paper underneath the screen.

Method 2:

Apple uses a general design to Macbooks. The battery is placed under the touchpad, and the logic board beneath the keyboard. Gravity will push the water in the keyboard towards the touchpad and remove it from the MacBook case. After removing the bottom cover, it is important that the entire drying process for damaged Macbooks does not take more than 24 hours.

Warning: Professionals recommend that you do not remove the lid from MacBook Air 2018 or Pro 2016 models. The lid can be opened to turn on the device. This is not necessary. If users find themselves in such a position, they should immediately follow the steps above to turn off their MacBook.

No matter what the circumstance, don’t shake your water-damaged MacBook. This will cause the water to stretch further and reach other parts of the MacBook like the backlight film.

Still nothing?

If the MacBook isn’t running, there could be a variety of issues, such as broken or damaged circuitry. In this case, there’s it’s not much else that is possible. Other than letting the experts from Portable One handle it!