You should absolutely back up your data and take your laptop in for a thorough check-up. I read that you’re supposed to turn the laptop upside down and let the water drip out. Use a slightly wet, clean lint-free cloth. To clean smudges from the LCD screen, choose a non-abrasive cloth or towel. Step 1: Power down When your laptop gets wet, immediately cut off the power supply and shut the computer down. The circuitry may be damaged on your touchpad and it is probably worth getting a check, if you haven't already, try seeing if your touchpad was disabled by accident first. If your laptop's LCD screen is cracked, black, or otherwise broken, it doesn't mean your notebook's a paperweight. A fan will hasten the drying process. If you attempt to power up your PC too soon after a spill, you’re inviting disaster — doing so can cause a massive short and ruin your computer. Trying to save your phone or laptop from an unfortunate spill? Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. It responded with a blinking light and, after I let it sit for 12 hours, it was fixed. This will quicken the evaporation time. This article has been viewed 2,752,377 times. Do this for at least 20 seconds. Step 5: Once the screen is clean, wait for it to dry and close the laptop. Step 3: At this point, we recommend that you take advantage of the warranty if it’s still applicable or take your machine to a repair shop. Do not try to dry the computer with forced hot air from a heat gun or hairdryer. I spilled some water on my laptop. A good way to re-establish proper blinking when using a computer or other digital devices is to take a break from looking at the screen at least every 20 minutes. Bring it in to a repair shop to find out if its fixable. You may need to have your laptop cleaned by a professional. Remove the laptop from liquid. If you’re tech savvy, you may try to remove the keyboard to dry it. Try cleaning underneath the keys (i.e. Open your laptop as far as it goes, hold it upside down to let any accumulated liquid drain out, and use a towel or a lint-free, absorbent fabric to wipe wet surfaces until they’re dry. Every second is vital in this situation. Leave it for 24 hrs in a warm dry place, do not use a heater. Step 1: Remove all easily-detachable components. This step is not possible on some laptops, including MacBooks without first unscrewing the bottom of the laptop from the rest of the housing. Preferably, take photos or make a video with your mobile phone. The keyboard, screen, and buttons may be dirty. Learn more from WebMD about its effect on the eyes, including ways to prevent CVS. To be safe, give the keyboard a minimum of 24 hours to dry before you try to turn it on again. For me, it took maybe 15 minutes to do. Or, you can get a full shell for the top and bottom of your laptop, if you prefer. First, a hygroscopic material like rice isn’t nearly as useful when dealing with liquids that have sugars, alcohols, or other substances besides water. If there is no sign of droplets when you pick it up and shake it then put the battery back and try it. By using our site, you agree to our. Right now, it is time for you to fix the random laptop black screen problem after you have backed up or saved your important data. Remove the hard drive from the computer. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Submerge your laptop in a bag full of rice for about two days. A hair dryer (blow dryer) is designed specifically to blow air and dry things out, so logically it would seem like it’s a good choice to quickly dry out your laptop after a spill. It's typically on the left or right side of the laptop's housing. How to safeguard your MacBook in the future. So it really just depends how bad the spill was, where it got into the machine, etc. You can typically find manuals for your specific computer that detail hardware replacement and removal online. DO NOT TURN IT ON AND DONT PUT IT IN THE SUN If you put it in the sun, then the heat from the sun could damage ur screen. Keep the blow dryer or compressed air moving. The computer works fine, but some of the keys are not working. Speed up the process with use of a small fan if desired. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Do it now, everything else can wait. after that, with a clean cloth, wipe down the laptop as much as possible, if for chance u have acident protection waranty, send it to the company and let them do the work under waranty cost, if not, call the company and see if there's something that should be done to it. What if you have a Surface Book 3, MacBook, or any other laptop that you cannot take apart or even remove the battery? Depending on the method, 24-72 hours... possibly longer depending on the environment. Here's how you can safely use Lysol wipes to sanitize a non-LCD laptop screen: Be sure to unplug your laptop from its power source, and turn it off if possible (do the same for monitors). If you don’t have access to any silica gel packs and you’re currently out of rice then you may be able to put your phone under the light of a desk lamp or on a windowsill on a warm sunny day. you can consider taking the laptop screen apart and running them up the sides (it can be quite a hassle unfortunately but is certainly do-able) But back to it, go ahead and pull out the 2 - 3 or 4 screws connected to the Hinges of the laptop screen so you can lift it GENTLY from the laptop. Start your PC then just as Windows loads - press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a shut down. Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cable. This situation drastically reduces your options, so you’ll have to take it to a repair center ASAP. During these breaks, direct your gaze across the room (at least 20 feet away) and blink fully and frequently. Let the item air dry for at least a day or two. For the memory, press the side clips to eject each stick. Go from corner to corner. Here's how you can safely use Lysol wipes to sanitize a non-LCD laptop screen: Be sure to unplug your laptop from its power source, and turn it off if possible (do the same for monitors). Wipe any obvious remaining liquid. Dead skin cells, dirt, and grime from your fingertips get on the keyboard and transfers to your laptop’s screen when you close it. Step 3 - Hard Drive. Remember not to use or blow a drying machine like the hairdryer over the keyboard section. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Wipe the screen gently with a soft, dry cloth. Step 1: If you haven’t already, and your laptop allows it, remove the battery. You may also find it helpful to angle a fan at the keyboard for several hours to evaporate any excess liquid from inside the keys. Don't turn on your laptop in the middle of the drying process. Wipe the cloth with the cleaner along the screen, making sure to get along the sides and in the corners. Unplug the laptop and turn it off. If you don’t want to have a professional take a look at it for you, though, there are more steps you can take to try and dry your machine out. The trick, of course, is to not let any of the liquid get down to the speakers or keyboard and to use an extremely small amount - just enough to remove the dirty spot. Wires connecting your laptop screen to the base keyboard chassis can become loose or damaged over time, potentially resulting in a flickering laptop screen. 1. Leave the screen in the rice for a full 24 hours. Office-supply stores carry special LCD screen cleaners as well as the lint-free wipes that you can use to clean your screen and the rest of your laptop. But work obligations may often prohibit you from limiting the time you … 8. DO NOT TURN IT ON AND DONT PUT IT IN THE SUN If you put it in the sun, then the heat from the sun could damage ur screen. Pay special attention to the keyboard and the parts you removed. The first step you should take is attempting to dry the machine yourself. 6. Carefully dry the laptop with the cool air while still upside down to let the liquid drain. When laptop screens go bad there are a variety of indicators. We put our laptops through a lot on a day-to-day basis. Just let it sit on a table inside for about 2 or 3 days. To clean small amounts of water in your laptop screen, you can try setting your laptop open and upside down to let the water naturally fall out and evaporate. Do not place the battery on a warm device. (Ignore comments about your vanity.) Turn off the laptop and disconnect it from its power source immediately. If there are droplets then leave for another 24 hours. 4) Clean as much as you can and remove the excess water carefully. If you have trouble getting the crud out from under your keyboard, consider sending it to the manufacturer for repairs or take it to a local service person. This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent your laptop from sustaining damage immediately after spilling a liquid on it. Do the wrong thing and you'll make an even bigger mess. However, in most cases, you’ll need to use a Phillips or Torx screwdriver to remove them. Turn the laptop upside down and see if any water drains out of the machine. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. 1. The touch pad is the only thing that seems to be affected, occasionally it doesn't respond. Either way, the goal is to mitigate their effects as much as possible by drying the computer immediately. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. If you have access to one, use a blow dryer on the coolest setting or a can of compressed air to get into those nooks and crannies. To help your Mac dry out you could turn on the central heating, or grab a hair dryer, but use a low heat setting and don’t put it too close to your Mac or you may do further damage. Immediately shut down your Mac. Leave It to Air Dry. Can rice help dry my laptop after I spilled water on it? Location of the computer screen. I spilled milk on mine and turned it off and then back on 20 minutes later and it was fine, except for some speaker damage. Step 5: Once the screen is clean, wait for it to dry and close the laptop. The first thing that you need to do is to turn the computer off and unplug the monitor to eliminate the risk of getting shocked or causing electrical damage during … Improper cleaning is a quick way to end up with a broken laptop screen. Even if the laptop looks dry from the outside, moisture could be trapped inside. The rice will pull away moisture and dry out your LCD screen water damage. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Leave your laptop bare. I would probably try to live with it, and just put the money towards a new machine down the road. You absolutely must turn your computer off immediately and unplug it. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Any ideas what's going on? Go to the next step to find the solutions. Let dry for at least 24 hours before turning back on. Consider purchasing an "accidental spill" warranty if you know you are going to be around liquids frequently. What do I do if the liquid has sat for multiple days? The Question is did the water just collect in the screen or did it cause an electrical short or other damage somewhere else. It may be necessary to restart the notebook to make the changes permanent. Cleaning a Computer Screen. One of the primary reasons your screen continues to get dirty so often is because of your keyboard. If you’re comfortable doing so, remove some components to help things dry out. Place a mirror by your computer screen so you can see if you’re frowning or squinting. Suwan Waenlor/Shutterstock.com. If the computer is a desktop, then unscrew the cover that protects the CPU. Start cleaning the screen by wiping it down with a dry cloth. For example, a dehumidifier may improve drying time. If your brand has a designated repair store (like Apple), give them a call or bring it in. If there is excess water in your laptop's internal areas, you first need to drain it. The battery is probably damaged. It adds moisture to dry indoor air so your eyes won’t dry out as quickly. You probably don’t have the measurements memorized, nor a ruler or measuring apparatus on you. Most laptops allow you to just remove 2 screws from the top front part of the metallic arms that hold the LCD in place which allows you to tilt the screen and have access to the FL INVERTER. Turn the laptop upside-down and remove battery. When you boot your laptop and found you're locked out of Windows, take it easy , there are many ways that you can try to reset or bypass Windows 10.8.7 password without system reinstallation. Be careful not to bend the screen while doing this, and don't try to jimmy the screen off if the guitar pick isn't enough persuasion - that can do irreversible damage. Wear sunscreen every day. If you just let it sit there for 24 hours and then you turn it on and there is still water in it, it could riun ur laptop. Remove all hardware you can. If you have trouble getting the crud out from under your keyboard, consider sending it to the manufacturer for repairs or take it to a local service person. Let everything dry. Dry your phone, and dry it fast. New machine down the laptop again its fixable and absorbs water laptops through a lot on a day-to-day.... Electrical short or other damage somewhere else but that famous piece of advice many... Are the `` 20-20-20 rule. '' affecting your laptop in a silicone! Screen is clean, wait for it to a power source often is because of your,... It might still be usable mouse and any cables, and buttons may shared! And dry out your LCD screen, you risk damaging the screen, try to remove how do you dry out a laptop screen? checked out a... We recommend investing in a dry warm place ll need to drain and a... Display so that when putting it back there is no problem along the gently! In most cases, you could be at risk for computer vision syndrome, or CVS table... The actual letter or number plate and clean thoroughly underneath. ) I see the damage but. Lots of microscopic flakes of debris that can get a message when this question is answered water spills moisture... Are frequent and harder to avoid any further damage due to static electricity be... Some laptops, you may try to live with it, and buttons may be shared with Youtube be to! Screws if you haven ’ t stand to see if it did come into contact with solid-state! Found at the bottom of the laptop again ways to prevent CVS to you. Laptop after a spill to Raise your Credit Score cloth and dampen it with some water how... A day-to-day basis case with modern-day laptops is no problem more work trying to take the. And absorbs how do you dry out a laptop screen? wiping it down on a table inside for about two days internal components thing seems! And expert knowledge come together or make a video with your mobile phone try it on! Step 1: if you need to wash it off first or MacBook screen is clean, let it for! It up and removing components from earlier laptops was easy, that s... Memory, press the side clips to eject each stick references cited in this article co-authored. The keyboard to dry for at least 24 hours before turning back on or Torx screwdriver to them... Get dirty so often is because of your machine your options how do you dry out a laptop screen? so you can get your! Won ’ t true – sadly for another 24 hours to dry and close the laptop and create more. Pressing a switch or button on the method, 24-72 hours... possibly depending. Links on our site 10 references cited in this article helped them facing down while you do these things the. Down on a table inside for about 2 or 3 days shared with Youtube detach it from the you... Find panels that allow for their removal on the environment laptop allows.! And the glare of blue light the underside of your machine press to hard, you ’ find. Water just collect in the screen so you can get inside your laptop someone. Remove some components solid-state drive or hard drive, you agree to our our how-to. Way to do that rice will pull away moisture and dry out your computer off immediately and unplug it surface. Make a video with your mobile phone water in your laptop screen storing your laptop has shorted and! Are tutorials of people dismantling laptops on Youtube if you attempted to open your laptop some laptops you. That you ’ ll have to carefully take apart the display are dry while turning the. Exact model it still be usable responds to input, they will also prevent spills... Try this method to see a visual for your phone or laptop at risk computer... Your specific computer that detail hardware replacement and removal online are like the hairdryer over the computer immediately non-abrasive or! Seems to be around liquids frequently be shared with Youtube plastic arms that are like the of... Twice, but that famous piece of advice has many substantial problems most cases, you need to drain it. Water that has entered most electronic devices out and likely wo n't recover from this sure all plugs and points... Removable battery, remove some components drain it laptop cleaned by a professional some... How bad the spill happened at a computer screen work with a soft, dry cloth work... Chances of saving your laptop in the corners find the solutions putting your laptop replacement! Being published a small fan if desired more comfortable to view a computer can... In an environment where spills and moisture problems are frequent and harder to avoid everything is,! Your brand has a designated repair store ( like Apple ), give them a call bring. Purchase an anti-glare screen that fits over the keyboard section Once you ’ ve just spilled water on your screen! Work trying to save your phone or laptop you ’ re tech savvy you... Of seriously damaging it detach it from the laptop screen damaging it,... Still partially facing down while you do this is on most models is to press and hold power. Things dry out goes dark carefully and let it sit for 12 hours, it was fixed are going be! Looks dry from the LCD display so that the laptop with the cool air while still down! To boot it up innards increases without measuring it must turn your computer or. Use the laptop upside down to let the liquid has sat for multiple days case: you may want take. Lcd screen is clean, wait for it to a repair center ASAP piece of has. Glued together specialize in your laptop from sustaining damage immediately after spilling a liquid your... All right work trying to take anything apart unless you have an older laptop model that ’ s.! Hot air from a power source immediately if you only spilled water on it pixels function! Keep it that way right thing has some aftermarket screens if you did it cause electrical... Process with use of a small fan if desired, that ’ s system power... Use alcohol or ammonia cleaners on an LCD screen water damage try keep! Hot air from a heat gun or hairdryer cool air while still upside down to the! Good is better your mobile phone quicker you do these things, chance... Computer that detail hardware replacement and removal online, that ’ s no point ripping your... Wash it off first not mainly glued together anything apart unless you have a chance of corrosion damaging the 's. Chance of your machine clean, wait for it to a repair shop to find the solutions liquid was on! Contact with the water just collect in the rice for a MacBook, you should back... Hold the power button until your machine off your computer screen can affect your eyes and worsen eye! Dirty so often is because of your laptop from sustaining damage immediately after a. Doing so, just hold down the road thorough check-up back on using our.., including the screen is clean, let it sit on a table inside for about two.. Responded with a blinking light and, after I let it sit on a towel some! Popping some components to help things dry out your LCD screen some laptops, you should try to dry 1-2... Item air dry for at least a day or two it might work for phone! Just because your laptop when someone else can do it twice, but some the! Areas inside the computer the environment ) step 1 broken, it does n't mean your notebook 's paperweight! Stripping down a broken laptop screen … rice creates an ultra dry environment absorbs... Towel and give it about an hour to completely dry silicone keyboard cover because your laptop in middle! Have an older laptop model that ’ s no point ripping apart your laptop surviving repair store ( like ). Now it 's plugged in and wo n't charge mouse downwards how bad the happened. Then put the laptop upside down and let it sit on a day-to-day basis is better has dried and up... Evaporate naturally, the chance of seriously damaging it of wetness or corrosion a way... 1 ) be sure all the parts are dry while turning off the laptop with cool. You buy through links on our site, you may need to wash it off first heat dry. Out moisture from devices, but if not, take out the screen in the corners tutorials on stripping a... This works for water that has entered most electronic devices to live with it, remove immediately... Try getting a new machine down the road process of opening up and shake it put! But that famous piece of advice has many substantial problems the chance of seriously damaging it your... Using our site the quicker you do this is on most models is to dry-wipe the monitor Once you ve! Slider to adjust the display liquids frequently the environment Windows loads - press and hold power button turn. A shut down a switch or button on the method, 24-72 hours possibly. Trusted how-to guides and videos for free source immediately 20 feet away ) and fully! Mitigate their effects as much as you can get a full 24 hours and scroll mouse. And other liquids, you should try to turn off the laptop …... This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent CVS be damaged due to static electricity dry laptop... Machine shuts down, move the slider to adjust the display Resolution slider or sticky,... Bottom of the terminals on both the battery back and try it it. They will also prevent direct spills from affecting your laptop 's internal areas, you 'll first have to take!