What to do if you spill liquid on your laptop keyboard

 What to do if you spill liquid on your laptop keyboard

  Working with a computer has its risks and you have to be careful, especially if you are one of those people who like to have coffee, juice or even breakfast in front of the computer while you work.  A mistake like trying to catch a mouse without realizing there's a glass next to it and hitting it can ruin the morning and put you off on your assignments.

  If this just happened to you, and before deciding whether to fix it or not, you can try the following steps to see if this fixes the problem temporarily.

  Once the liquid comes into contact with the computer, the chances of a part of the device malfunctioning are great.  Therefore, in order for this not to happen and to avoid frustration, it is best to avoid placing cups and glasses in the place where you will be working with your computer.  You can also try to leave the glass as far away from the computer as possible so that it does not affect the device if it is spilled.

  Another option to prevent accidents is to opt for a keyboard protector, a silicone accessory that's easy to wear and can save you in the event of confusion.  In addition, it protects the device from dust and scratches.  This protector will not 100% prevent your computer from getting wet in the event of a spill, but it will help prevent most liquid from entering the device.

  Turn off the laptop and remove the battery

  But if you're here, this first tip doesn't work for you.  If you spill any liquid on your laptop, the first thing you should do is turn it off.  You should do this step as soon as possible to avoid an electric shock and a short circuit that prevents the computer from being repaired.

  The second thing is to remove the battery from the computer.  Many new computers do not allow you to do this, but if your computer model allows you to easily remove the battery, do so without hesitation.  You should also try to disconnect any peripheral device you have connected to your computer, such as external hard drives or "pendrives".

  Check if water has reached the battery

  If after removing the battery you notice that it is wet or shows signs of liquid getting there, it is important to replace the battery with a new one.  Even if you notice that the computer is working without problems.  A battery that has come in contact with liquid is dangerous and it is best to replace it with a new one to avoid damage.

   Rice, turn the laptop upside down

  The next thing, after visibly removing all the liquid you spilled with a rag, is to turn the computer upside down so that gravity does its job, thus allowing the liquid that got into the computer to escape.  For its part, the rice trick is a fairly popular home remedy.  However, if there are many gaps in a laptop, rice or other particles may leak or get stuck in a component and this increases the problem.

  Let the ingredients dry

  After leaving it upside down for a while and noticing as much liquid as possible, let the computer components dry for at least 24 hours.  If your computer is in a hurry, because you need to keep using it and have no way to replace it, leave it on for four hours.  This way, at least, you make sure that most of the moisture has evaporated.

  However, the drying time is important until the liquid that has been strained inside the computer is gone.  The longer the computer is turned off, the better.

  Never use a hair dryer

  If you are in a hurry to dry your computer, intuition will tell you to use a hair dryer to speed up the process.  It is a common mistake and one of the greatest failures.  With a hair dryer, you'll dry the wet, yes, but you'll also push the liquid into your laptop.  In addition, by heating up your laptop, you risk melting some components that are necessary for the operation of the computer.

  Other useful tools

  Instead of a hair dryer, you can use other tools like a dehumidifier or some silica gel envelopes (these are small packets with balls that come in the case of some electronics and you never know what they are for).

  Really, the next step is for experts only.  Only professionals who in their daily work disassemble computers and other electrical appliances and know the components that are most sensitive to moisture and how to clean them.  If you're not that kind of expert, don't do it.

  The next step is, if you are an expert, to disassemble as much as possible to speed up the drying process.  You can also open your laptop to see how far the fluid has gone and analyze the situation.

  Take the computer to the repair center

  Whether you have fixed the problem and everything is working for you as before, or otherwise.  It is better to take the device to a repair place for repair.  Plus, in the store, they'll be able to see any indication of wear from sugar in some drinks or coffee that can damage your laptop in the long run.

  This way you ensure that there are no surprises in the future, you can be sure that your hard drive and motherboard are not damaged and that your computer will continue to function for years.

  Extra trick: Alt + Shift

  Sometimes, when liquid is spilled on the keyboard, it can cause the function configuration error and the keyboard to look bad.  In these cases, pressing the "Alt" and "Shift" keys at the same time will change the keyboard language settings and you will see that your problem will disappear.  If the keyboard is still not working perfectly, have it repaired at a repair center.

  By using the "Alt" + "Shift" keys, you can fix a configuration error