<p></p> <img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dcr-apis/wp_contents/uploads/DCR-ADMIN/AdobeStock_439365356.webp" alt="undefined" style="height: ;width: "/> <p></p> <p><em>Originally written by Vladimir Galant of 911 PC Help </em></p> <p>When liquid spills on your laptop, knowing how to react can make all the difference. If the computer is asleep/turned off, your initial instinct may be to wake it up/turn it on to see if it still works. In reality, this is the worst thing you can do. If there’s liquid on the motherboard, turning it on can cause a short and damage your hard drive.</p> <p>The best thing to do after liquid spills on your laptop is shut it off immediately. It’s also a good idea to disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery. Next, turn the laptop upside down and let it sit to dry. If it’s just a water spill, you can (carefully) use a hair dryer to speed up the drying. Ideally, you should let your laptop dry for two or three days before turning it on. In most cases, it’ll work fine.</p> <p>If the spilled liquid is sticky (soda, coffee with creamer), the damage may be more severe. In this case, I recommend taking your laptop to a computer service company to get its data backed up.</p> <p><a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/" target="_self">Use Diamond Certified Resource to find top rated companies.</a></p> <p><strong>Related Articles</strong><br><a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/Guide/Computer-Device-Repair/" target="_self">The Essential Guide to Computer &amp; Device Repair</a><br><a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/find-expert-advice/" target="_self">Get Expert Advice From Owners of Top Rated Local Companies</a><br><a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/membership/" target="_self">Become a Diamond Certified Preferred Member (Always Free)</a>&nbsp;</p>