It’s no secret that computers are one of the most useful tools that have ever been created. This device can easily become damaged if it comes into contact with water, however. If you’re unsure whether or not you’re dealing with laptop water damage, there’s a handful of ways that you can tell. We’ve put together a short guide that details everything you need to know.
Let’s get started.
1. Your Keyboard Doesn’t Work
Occasionally, spilling water on your laptop can result in you severely damaging your keyboard. In most cases, this means that your keys will no longer function properly.
Interestingly, you may also find that only some of your keys are malfunctioning. This can easily become fairly irritating, as you may find yourself in a situation where you are unable to type certain letters.
For those who use their laptops for work-related obligations, the situation can become even more frustrating.
If you share a laptop with a friend or family member and then notice that your keyboard isn’t working correctly, be sure to ask them if they spilled water on the device. Otherwise, the root of the problem could stem from a different issue.
2. You Notice Discoloration or Residue
In order to determine whether or not your laptop has water damage, you may need to remove the back cover. After doing so, you might notice discoloration or residue on its internal components.
This is one of the primary signs that water has been spilled on your computer. Unfortunately, this scenario is relatively serious since discoloration often indicates corrosion.
Under some circumstances, severe water damage could require you to replace most if not all of the internal components. For this reason, it’s imperative that you frequently back up your sensitive information so that you can retrieve it if it becomes inaccessible.
It’s also recommended that you keep the device you archive your data to in a safe location.
3. There Is Liquid Inside of Your Laptop
As you might guess, the presence of liquid inside your laptop is a blatant indicator of water damage. But, you may not be able to tell until you check for it.
To elaborate, let’s assume that’s you were working on a project on your laptop while sitting at the kitchen table in your home. While walking away to handle another responsibility, your 10-year-old niece accidentally spills a cup of water across your entire computer.
She then cleans up the mess and leaves the room before you return. When you sit back down at the table, you notice that your screen is black and that your computer has been turned off.
As you carry your laptop into the living room to connect it to its charger, you notice the presence of standing liquid in between the keys on your keyboard.
Although this is never a positive occurrence, you’ll then better understand the situation and can eliminate other possible causes.
4. You Have Activated Your Water Detection Sticker
It’s not uncommon for computer manufacturers to include a sticker on your device that will change color when it comes in contact with liquid. As previously mentioned, it can sometimes be difficult to discern why your device is not functioning properly.
More often than not, people assume the issue lies with the battery, charging cable, etc.
If you notice that your laptop’s water detection sticker has changed colors, however, you will then know the root of the problem. From here, you can get in touch with a professional in order to schedule the necessary repairs.
For those unaware, it’s inadvisable that you attempt to resolve water damage on your own. The internal components of a laptop are highly sensitive, and you risk damaging them further by utilizing improper repair methods.
For example, some people choose to use a hairdryer on a low heat setting in order to dry the water within their computer.
5. You Experience Screen Issues
When water comes into contact with your laptop, it’s fairly easy for it to cause screen issues. Most commonly, you may notice that certain pixels on your screen display incorrectly.
In this case, they could be white, discolored, etc.
But, you might also notice that your screen simply does not display at all. You may be able to utilize your laptop normally and the audio might work, but the display might not function correctly.
Unless your laptop experienced physical trauma, water damage is likely the culprit. This is especially true if your device is relatively new.
6. Your Computer Does Not Function Properly
Finally, you might notice that your computer simply does not operate how it is supposed to. It may fail to turn on while you hold the power button, function notably slowly, etc.
Although there could be a number of different causes for this type of scenario, water damage is one of the most prominent. As we discussed before, damaging the internal components of your computer can prevent them from working correctly.
So, keep this in mind when determining your next steps.
Laptop Water Damage Is a Serious Issue
So, it’s important that you learn how to recognize it quickly. The above information will help ensure that you understand how to recognize laptop water damage and then take the appropriate course of action.
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