It happens to everyone eventually. We may have a water bottle, a solution or another kind of drink, and it spills on our computer. Knowing how expensive and fragile computers potentially could be, making sure that you can alleviate the amount damage that can be done to computers with wet products should be addressed. Fortunately, with enough interventions, you could have effective damage control. If you accidentally wet, here are some things you should do.

Turn The Computer Off

Your priority when dealing with any wet electronics should be to turn the power off. Take out the power cables, unplug anything from the outlets or remove the battery. If it is necessary, you should hold down the power button before it shuts down. Wet computers run the risk of shorting out when it comes into contact with wet objects because the liquid begins to interact with the circuit boards within the computer. This will ruin all of the electronic components of the laptop, so make sure the power isn’t running.

Wipe Up Any Excess Liquid

You’ll also want to wipe away any excess liquid, especially if it was a big spill. Ideally, you will want to use a lint free paper towel to wipe up excess liquid while making sure it is upside down. If you use materials that have lint in them, it can cling to the computer using moisture as the medium.

While you are wiping up the liquid, you will want to wipe up anything that’s sticky. For example, if the liquid was sugary or sticky, you will need more than a towel to ensure that it is completely dry. A screen-specific cleaner or wipe should be used, and they can be easily found in electronic stores or drugstores. For further information on cleaning techniques and technological advice, you could visit Tech Live Connect for more information.

Allow to Dry

After you have powered everything off, you should allow time for the computer to dry, and you’ll want to allow at least 24-48 hours for it to dry completely. If the computer is needed sooner than that, you could expedite the process by placing it any warm place that does not have direct sunlight.

As a note of caution, you should not use a hair dryer or place it near a radiator, because the excess heat will cause further damage.

Try Restarting

Finally, after you have rested the computer and have it completely dried, you should try to restart it again. If it is still not powering on, you now need to prioritize data recovery and ensuring the damage isn’t too extensive. You may need to call experts to evaluate the damage and preserve whatever data can be.

General Tips

Some general tips to keep in mind to avoid getting your computer wet is to put a lid on drinks, refrain from putting your computer in a bag or backpack and never leave drinks unattended. Following these tips and more advice from Tech Live Connect will help preserve your computer from any potential water damage