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However, trying to power up too early is the worst thing you can do. Chances are you’re in panic mode and desperate to find out whether your MacBook is toast. Now that we’ve looked at steps that can help you limit water damage, let’s look at some things you definitely shouldn’t do which may eliminate any chance you have to fix your water-damaged MacBook. You may also want to carefully clean your MacBook’s vents and ports using a non-conductive instrument, such as a cotton swab or wooden toothpick. A clean, dry microfiber cloth is great for cleaning your MacBook’s exterior casing. For example, soda is going to make your MacBook seriously sticky, and soda residue may damage your MacBook over time. This is particularly important if the spilled beverage was anything other than water.
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If you’ve managed to recover your MacBook, now’s the perfect time to give it a good clean. Fingers crossed that your quick thinking has saved your MacBook – or at least limited the damage! If it does power up, then test your trackpad, all of the keys, Internet and Bluetooth connectivity, plus any other features you use on a regular basis. Once your MacBook has completely dried, it’s time for the moment of truth! Try to power your MacBook back on and see if it works.
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If you own a fan, it may help to move it nearer to your laptop, as increasing the airflow can encourage any remaining liquid to evaporate. To help the drying process, you may want to place your MacBook somewhere warm, such as an airing cupboard, or near a source of heat, such as a radiator. The longer you can let your MacBook sit, the better, but 48 hours is the absolute minimum. Leave your Mac for as long as possible to give the liquid a chance to drain away completely. This may cause more damage to your MacBook. While it’s tempting to turn your MacBook back on to assess the damage, this can result in a current being transferred through damp components. This step may be painful, but leaving your MacBook in the tent position for a few days lessens the impact of any potential water damage. You can also try drying any ports or vents using a non-conductive instrument such as a cotton swab. If the exterior of your MacBook is visibly wet, it may help to wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.
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