Spilled Water on the Laptop? Immediate Steps to Save Your Device and Data

On my last trip, I left my water bottle in my backpack, along with my laptop. I put the backpack in the car trunk, oblivious that the bottle cap wasn’t secure. When I grabbed the bag, you guessed it, it was soaked – the bottle opened somewhere on the way. Of course I was worried, but working alongside data recovery experts for well over four years helped me avoid panicking and trying to immediately turn the laptop on (which could have easily fried it beyond repair). All I did was remove it from the backpack and carry it around in my hands until I got home and could follow the steps below. My laptop survived and is still in use. Yours can be, too.

Spilled water can cause short-circuiting and damage to internal components, leading to data loss, hardware issues, and even complete failure of the device. That’s why it’s very important not to turn on or keep the device powered up when there’s a risk of water damage.

Quick Summary: Although a very serious issue, you can save your data and device after accidentally spilling water on your laptop. Follow these steps to prevent further damage and data loss, and contact a data recovery service immediately if your device is not working after 48 hours. Also, keep regular backups to always have all your files at hand, no matter what happens.

If you have a Macbook, you might notice that its design seals off its inner components. See our specific instructions to salvage a water-damaged MacBook.

Can you recover your data if you spilled water on your laptop?

Yes, it is possible to recover data if you spilled water on your laptop. The most important thing to do is act quickly and follow the steps described in this guide. 

As long as the hard drive remains intact, you should be able to salvage your data by using data recovery software. However, if the laptop is not turning on, you must contact a professional recovery service to restore your files. 

Step 1. Switch off your laptop’s power source

If you spill liquid on a laptop turned on, switch it off immediately to minimize further damage. If it was turned off, keep it that way until you finish following the steps.

Then, if it is connected to an outlet, remove it. Water can cause further damage when in contact with electricity, including fire risk.

After assuring no short-circuit or fire risk, disconnect any peripherals from your laptop. The keyboard, mouse, and storage devices should all be removed. 

Step 2. Remove your laptop from the wet surface

To prevent further damage, take the laptop to a clean and dry surface. Put it over a towel, paper towel, or other absorbent material that can absorb some of the liquid that might be inside the laptop. This will help you dry your device out faster by eliminating the excess water.

Step 3. Wipe away any visible moisture from the outside of your laptop 

Use a dry towel or a clean microfiber towel to remove as much water from the outside of your computer as possible.

Then, use cotton swabs to absorb the liquid from small and hard-to-reach areas of your laptop, such as ports. Remove as much water as possible.

Important: Do not let the laptop turn on. If possible, remove its battery.

Step 4. Let your laptop in a dry and ventilated place

Let your device rest in a dry and ventilated room for at least 48 hours before checking it again. You can use a fan to circulate the air in the room and help the laptop dry, making it a more ventilated place. 

Also, open the laptop upside down, such as placing the keyboard on the table and letting the screen hang out. Certify that it is secured and that the laptop won’t fall.

Important: DO NOT HEAT OR USE A HAIR DRYER ON YOUR WATER-DAMAGED LAPTOP. The heat will damage your laptop further.

Step 5. Check for errors

After patiently waiting 48 hours, you can attempt to power on your water-damaged laptop. If it powers on with no error messages displayed, it’s safe to use your device.

However, laptops with spilled water can have their internal components compromised. The water can still corrode and rust even after the laptop is completely dried out.

Therefore, use this opportunity to make a backup of your laptop data.

Step 6. Take your laptop to a professional

If your laptop is not turning on or behaves abnormally after the incident, you must contact your manufacturer’s assistance for help and a data recovery service to retrieve the laptop’s data. 

Data recovery professionals have all the tools and a cleanroom to perform a recovery service that guarantees your data will be salvaged regardless of the damage.

Contact SalvageData laptop data recovery experts 24/7 to restore your spilled water device files. With over twenty years of data recovery experience, our professionals have recovered the most complicated damaged devices by thinking creatively.

What SHOULDN’T you do if you spill water on your laptop?

1. Don’t use a hair dryer, oven, space heater, or any other heat-producing appliance to dry the device. 
2. Don’t open your laptop if you are not 100% sure it is safe.
3. Don’t turn on your laptop until it has had at least 48 hours to air out and all traces of moisture have been removed from inside the device. 
4. Do not touch any of the internal components with your hands. This can cause further damage to the laptop. 

Is the water damage different from other liquid damage to laptops?

Yes, water damage can be different from other liquid damage. Water is generally more conductive than other liquids, so it has the potential to cause more severe short-circuiting if not handled correctly. But other liquids have their own aggravation. For example, soda has sugar, which can stick and corrode the internal parts for longer.

How to avoid data loss because of liquid damage

The best way to avoid data loss due to liquid damage is to back up your data regularly. This will ensure that even if the worst happens and you spill water on your laptop, you can quickly restore all your files from a backup.