MacBook Got Wet and Won’t Turn On: Immediate Steps and Solutions

If your MacBook got wet and isn’t turning ON now, you must address the situation immediately. First, you must power it off right away.

When water is spilled on a MacBook, it can seep deep into its internal components.

This can lead to short corrosion and short circuits, which is why you must turn OFF your MacBook immediately.

You should also remove its battery and keep it away from any power source.

Then, place your MacBook in an inverted V shape to let the water dry out and prevent it from going deep into the device.

Once a MacBook gets wet, it takes at least 48 hours to dry. If it still doesn’t turn ON, it’s better to seek professional help.

However, there are some practical solutions mentioned in this article that you can try.

Can My Mac Be Fixed After Water Damage?

Yes, there’s a chance it can be fixed if it didn’t get exposed to a lot of water or remained soaked for a long time. It always depends on how quickly you took action.

If you disconnected it right away, removed the battery, let it dry completely, it can turn ON and would need minor repairs only.

How Much Does it Cost To Repair a MacBook With Water Damage?

The repair cost for a water-damaged MacBook depends upon the extent of the damage and the model of the MacBook.

It also depends on whether you’re repairing it from a third-party repair shop or an Apple-authorized professional.

If your MacBook isn’t severely damaged by water and only needs minor repairs, it can cost you between $250 and $600 on average.

However, if its main components, such as battery, motherboard, etc., need to be repaired, it can cost you around $600 to $1,200.

MacBook Got Wet and Won’t Turn on: Immediate Steps to Take

If you have spilled water on MacBook, taking the following immediate steps can minimize the damage:

Step 1: Powering Off and Unplugging Immediately

First of all, it’s important to power off your MacBook and unplug all power cables or peripherals.

Otherwise, the electric current can cause a short circuit and further damage the internal components.

Step 2: Drying Out The Water

Next, place your MacBook in an inverted V shape to prevent water from seeping deep into the internal components. It also lets the water dry out quickly.

Step 3: Removing Battery (If Possible)

Instantly removing external components, including the battery, SIM card, etc., prevents them from water damage and provides better airflow for drying.

Step 4: Absorbing The Excess Moisture

Gently blot and absorb the excess moisture from the keyboard using a soft towel or liner cloth.

Silica gel packets are also recommended to absorb the moisture. This is necessary for proper drying out of water.

Step 5: Leaving The MacBook To Dry

Keep your MacBook in the same inverted V shape and leave it to dry in warm air for 48 hours. Providing proper time for drying is essential for recovery.

Step 6: Trying To Power it on again

Try to power it ON again after 48 hours. If it turns on and you don’t notice any change in its performance, it’s good to go.

Step 7: Seeking Professional Help

If your MacBook doesn’t turn on again after taking all the immediate steps, you should seek professional help from Apple Support.

NOTE: If your MacBook got wet and won’t turn on again, don’t apply any traditional techniques, such as placing it in a rice container or using a hair dryer to dry the water. Such techniques instead damage your device further.

How Long Does it Take Water To Dry in a MacBook?

Though it depends on the amount of water the MacBook has been exposed to, it typically takes around 48 hours for the water to dry completely.

Your immediate action also matters. For instance, if you quickly cut off the power supply, removed the battery, and left your MacBook in an inverted V shape to dry, the chances are it would be completely dry in 48 hours.

Spilled Water on MacBook: How To Proceed?

It’s crucial to properly and effectively dry out water from your water-damaged MacBook.

You must take both physical water removal steps and advanced drying techniques for it, as explained below:

Physical Water Removal

Method 1: Power Off, Unplug, and Drain

• Power off your MacBook right away to prevent short circuits.
• Unplug or disconnect all the power cables.
• Then, place your MacBook in an inverted V shape. This prevents water from reaching deeply into the device’s internal components.
• Leave it to dry in the same position for at least 48 hours.

Method 2: Removing External Components

• First, power off your MacBook and unplug all the cables.
• Then, if possible, remove all external components, such as the battery and SIM card, to protect them from severe water damage.
• Leave your MacBook to dry in warm air in an inverted V shape for 48 hours. Don’t forget to blot and absorb excess moisture using a soft towel.

Advance Drying Techniques

Method 1: Using Silica Gel

• After powering off and disconnecting power cables, leave your MacBook in an inverted V shape to dry in warm air.
• Use silica gel packets to absorb the excess moisture.
• Then, leave your MacBook to dry for at least 48 hours.

Method 2: Placing MacBook in a Desiccant Chamber

• Take an air-tight container and place silica gel packets in it.
• Place your MacBook in an inverted V shape in the container so that it’s surrounded by silica gel packets.
• Seal the container tightly and leave your MacBook in there to dry for 48 hours.

Will Apple Fix Water Damage?

Apple’s standard warranty or AppleCare+ doesn’t cover water damage.

However, Apple can fix it if you seek professional help from Apple Support or authorized service providers.

Professionals at Apple Store thoroughly diagnose the extent of damage and treat it accurately.

They might need to clean the internal components of your MacBook, change the motherboard, battery, etc., or retrieve your important data files in case of severe damage.

The service can be expensive, but the results are satisfying.

How Do You Protect a MacBook From Spills?

You must take the following preventive measures to protect your MacBook from future instances of water damage:

• Make sure to keep all sorts of liquid away from your MacBook. Also, it’s better to not eat in your working area.
• Use a good-quality keyboard cover to prevent your MacBook keyboard from spills and dust.
• Buy a nice protective case and keep your MacBook in it while not working on it.
• Make your workspace a safe zone. Keep your MacBook on a flat surface area, away from the edges.
• While working, you can also keep your MacBook on a laptop stand or table.
• It’s also advisable to keep your essential data in backup files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

If your MacBook got wet and won’t turn on, you should take a few necessary steps immediately.

You must power it off, unplug all the cables, and leave it to dry in warm air in an inverted V shape.

Also, remove the excess moisture using a soft towel or silica gel packets.

Then, attempt to turn it on again. Seek professional help if it still doesn’t turn on again.