Spilled a Drink on Your Laptop? What to Do Next
A cup of coffee next to the keyboard is a common sight, and so is the occasional spill. What you do in the first minute matters most.
Switch it off and unplug it
Turn the laptop off straight away by holding the power button, and unplug the charger and any accessories. Do not wait to save your work: electricity and liquid together cause the most damage.
Drain and dry
Wipe off any liquid you can see, then open the lid wide and stand the laptop upside down in a tent shape so liquid drains away from the internal components. Leave it to dry for at least a full day. Avoid hair dryers, which can push liquid further inside, and do not switch it on to check whether it still works.
Sugary drinks need a cleaning
Water is the least harmful spill. Coffee with sugar or milk, juice and soft drinks leave sticky residue that can corrode contacts later, so even if the laptop seems fine, have it inspected and cleaned by an authorized service center.
Preventing the next spill
To prevent the next one, keep drinks in a lidded cup and on the far side of your desk.
