Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Macbook air 2015....keyboard and trackpad after a spill
- Thread starter Itsmecasa
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
xboxbml
macrumors 6502a
You really shouldn't unplug the battery while it's powered up like that..I'm not meaning to be mean or anything.. I know about brain injury. Been there done that.. Still dealing with that(roof-snow-sidewalk).. Anyway I think you could be in a bit of a bind.. It's all about money.. Hate to say it, but I think unless you take it to a reputable Mac repair shop and spend some money, I believe it could be end of the road for it. And even then it might not be worth it depending.. You might be better off upgrading or seeing if you know someone that might have one for cheap or free.. That fan shouldn't be on full like that. It looks like you've got the keyboard and trackpad cables unplugged or torn.. couldn't tell from the video. I did similar thing a couple years ago to mine(wine). Fried it. Fan was on full just like yours, sometimes would boot and not even see the SSD(folder icon), but mostly wouldn't even boot(SMC fried I'm guessing). Keyboard didn't work when it did. Battery went bad. Got on FB Marketplace and found another one just like it locally and bought it for quick fix(390$ at the time). Fortunately the 2TB SSD I had in it did survive. I did have a Time Machine backup so I wouldn't have lost any data, but I didn't have to spend more money for a new SSD too so that was good. Yeah, I would see if you can find a good repair shop locally and see what can be done if anything. I know easier said than done. I had only one that I knew of somewhat local and they pretty much closed up shop when covid hit so that's why I found one on FB.. I saved all the parts from my old one. It's in a box.. Only screen and wifi card might be ok, plus the chassis of course.. that's about it. Liquids and electronics don't mix well.. Sorry I can't be of much help really. Good luck. Hope you can find something to try and recover. I know the frustration first hand!!
Technerd108
macrumors 68040
I tend to agree with the above poster. A 2015 MBA is almost 8 years old at this point and since it is damaged it might be beyond repair as the cost of repair just might not be worth it at this point.I wish I could say otherwise but opening up the back the cables do look like they could be damaged and using the device plugged in and open is a shock risk. You don't know what parts of the internals are grounded and what parts are not and they could short out easily and shock you or start a fire. If you are going to try to use it plugged in at least have the back plate in place. Do not use it while the back plate is off and plugged in. While the device is off check the connection of the cables. Make sure they are seated properly. Then put the plate back and turn it on and see if it works. If not try reversing the cables connection and see if that works. If not then as I stated before you might just have to buy another Mac or a cheaper windows alternative. Maybe you can get a base model iPad/Air 4th gen slightly used until you can get enough money to replace the Mac.
arcite
macrumors 65816
I agree with others, that computer is pretty much finished, the fan shouldn’t be running full throttle like that either. I myself have a 2015 MacBook Air with a few unresponsive keys, but I plugged in external keyboard and it works fine. ....so, you can try plugging in a USB keyboard, that might work.
However, an upgrade would definitely be the best use of money.
just checked on OWC (Other World Computing), they got a 2017 MacBook Air for $500. They even have a 2013 for $280....but that is practically an antique. Other option is to pick up a cheaper windows laptop from somewhere like walmart and save up for a new Apple Laptop. Sorry for the bad luck.
However, an upgrade would definitely be the best use of money.
just checked on OWC (Other World Computing), they got a 2017 MacBook Air for $500. They even have a 2013 for $280....but that is practically an antique. Other option is to pick up a cheaper windows laptop from somewhere like walmart and save up for a new Apple Laptop. Sorry for the bad luck.
Alpha Centauri
macrumors 68000
@Itsmecasa
What sort of cleaner was spilled? Corrosive, alcohol based?
Whilst the prognosis isn't great, the chance that something's shorted high, I'm unsure cables are the culprit. Will they plug back in or are they damaged? I can really sympathies not having money left for such unexpected mishaps.
First non invasive procedure is usually to try a SMC and NVRAM/PRAM reset, these control a plethora of system settings and have been known to fix the weirdest issues. They do entail restarting with set key combinations held though and if your KB has zero input, cannot be normally restarted, than this unfortunately won't work either.
But do try, as suggested, hooking a USB keyboard up to it to see if you can at least control anything. I wonder if SMC/NVRAM can even be reset with an external KB on a laptop? I've never tried. Perhaps someone can chime in on this.
I'll link those procedures below.
So, I wouldn't get my hopes too high up but do try borrow an external KB before spending anything on cables.
SMC: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
NVRAM: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063
PS perhaps at least hold the backplate in by 4 screws each corner. It's just too easy to short the board otherwise.
What sort of cleaner was spilled? Corrosive, alcohol based?
Whilst the prognosis isn't great, the chance that something's shorted high, I'm unsure cables are the culprit. Will they plug back in or are they damaged? I can really sympathies not having money left for such unexpected mishaps.
First non invasive procedure is usually to try a SMC and NVRAM/PRAM reset, these control a plethora of system settings and have been known to fix the weirdest issues. They do entail restarting with set key combinations held though and if your KB has zero input, cannot be normally restarted, than this unfortunately won't work either.
But do try, as suggested, hooking a USB keyboard up to it to see if you can at least control anything. I wonder if SMC/NVRAM can even be reset with an external KB on a laptop? I've never tried. Perhaps someone can chime in on this.
I'll link those procedures below.
So, I wouldn't get my hopes too high up but do try borrow an external KB before spending anything on cables.
SMC: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
NVRAM: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063
PS perhaps at least hold the backplate in by 4 screws each corner. It's just too easy to short the board otherwise.
Last edited:
Alpha Centauri
macrumors 68000
Thank you so so much for all the replys. I didn't think anyone would reply! I ordered a trackpad cable but it wasn't that so I can't spend more on it and I think yall are right. It's old the repair will probably involve a keyboard replacement or worse so ive purchased a chromebook for now until I get a new job and can spend a few hundred. I just adore you all for your response!
Alpha Centauri
macrumors 68000
Sad about the MBAs fate but great you're up and running again.
Thanks also for wrapping up this thread with this update, quite refreshing. I really mean it. It's amazing how many new accounts just disappear after members spend their time, research and knowledge trying to help.
Perhaps another mac comes your way soon and we'll see you here again. I've been working on replacing my 13 yr old MBP for a decade now but there always seems that 'one-more-priority' preventing this. Equally, it saved me falling victim to the infamous keyboard fiasco of 2016-2019.
All the best to you 🙂