Spilled water on MBA keyboard 😭

[splitpea]

The good news is that it only made it up to the home row -- none got into the vents. I poured it all back off and dried off what I could from the surface while shutting down the machine (it did shut down cleanly, without glitches). Then I unplugged it. It's possible (though presumably unlikely) that surface tension kept any from getting under the keys, but who knows.

Questions:

1. How long should I let it dry before powering it back on?
2. Any chance this doesn't mean a motherboard replacement?

It's a mid-2019 model, in case that makes any difference.

 

[cjbriare]

My rule of thumb was 24-48 hours if you can just to be sure, though it's hard to tell what kind of damage is possible until it's apparent, esp with these machines with built-in batteries. Depends how quickly you were able to get the water out and also if any actually did seep in.

From what I can tell on iFixit photos, the MBA logic board is pretty tiny and closer to the vents, so that's a good sign. Most of the battery is under the keyboard unfortunately, that I would keep an eye on.

I spilled a full cup of coffee on a work laptop keyboard (PC), and only a few keys stopped working and the rest of the machine is fine. I'm forced to use an external but everything else works, so there's a chance if it did damage anything it could be minor.

 

[splitpea]

Eep! If water got into the battery… could that mean a scary exploding/fire-prone battery?

That’s good that there’s a decent chance it missed the logic board at least. A battery replacement out of warranty isn’t exactly fun, but at least it’s not “might as well buy a new one” territory.

 

[russell_314]

Eep! If water got into the battery… could that mean a scary exploding/fire-prone battery?

That’s good that there’s a decent chance it missed the logic board at least. A battery replacement out of warranty isn’t exactly fun, but at least it’s not “might as well buy a new one” territory.

I've never heard of a MacBook catching fire because of water spilled on it. The biggest worry you have is long term corrosion. If it's just plain clean water you're probably okay but soda or juice not good. If you're worried take the back cover off and inspect everything. Check for water drops. I would do that if it was mine.

 

[splitpea]

It was definitely just tap water. Hard water, but water.

I was thinking about taking the back cover off to let it dry more quickly — but alas, the screws are non-standard and I don’t have the right tool.

I really just want this thing to last another 12 months. Planning to upgrade to the next gen 14” MBP.

It’d also be nice to be able to use it again Friday morning for a video conference, but not shorting anything out is more important.

 

[DaveOZ]

I spilt beer on my 1 week old M1 Air keyboard last year. I was very sad! I cleaned it up and it never had a problem to this day. Occasionally a few of the keys down the right hand side are a bit doughy if I don't use it for a while. They free up are some use.

Good luck for a full recovery.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Don't threat. I spilled a considerable torrent of water on my Macbook Pro years ago, got into the vents and all. The Mac seemed to instantly rev up the fans which expelled a lot of it and obviously I turned it off quickly.

We are talking years now and it is still my main machine. Providing it is water; and others have said, not juice, give it your 24 Hours and with any luck you will be fine.

Perhaps run a keyboard test to check for damage. Ensure all your speakers are working too.

 

[Madhatter32]

If it's only water you have a decent chance it will be okay. Standard operating procedure is to keep device turned off for 24 hours and turn it upside down so to allow any water to flow out of the keyboard rather than towards the logic board. Juice or soda would be much more risky because they do not fully evaporate without leaving a residue.

 

[splitpea]

Don't threat. I spilled a considerable torrent of water on my Macbook Pro years ago, got into the vents and all. The Mac seemed to instantly rev up the fans which expelled a lot of it and obviously I turned it off quickly.

We are talking years now and it is still my main machine. Providing it is water; and others have said, not juice, give it your 24 Hours and with any luck you will be fine.

Perhaps run a keyboard test to check for damage. Ensure all your speakers are working too.

By a “keyboard test” do you mean a specific automated test/protocol? Or just manually testing that each key still works (at least no worse than it used to because butterfly)?

 

[Apples n' Stone]

By a “keyboard test” do you mean a specific automated test/protocol? Or just manually testing that each key still works (at least no worse than it used to because butterfly)?

Even simpler, if you search the web for "keyboard test" you should find various tools where you can press all the buttons for your own comfort.

 

[wilberforce]

Be aware that MacBooks typically have liquid contact indicators inside (at least, they used to), in case you decide to take it to Apple for repair, they will likely know if water got inside. If so, they may quote you to replace pretty much everything, because they cannot tell how extensive the damage is, or if it will progress further.

Liquid contact indicator - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[pringles]

Put it in rice

 

[DD88]

Could be worse, could be this guy who poured glue on his keyboard to stop crumbs going between the keys

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Could be worse, could be this guy who poured glue on his keyboard to stop crumbs going between the keys
View attachment 2044756

My expression on seeing that...

 

[Feek]

Put it in rice

Which will do absolutely nothing except mean you have to take it out of rice It's an urban myth.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Put it in rice

No don't do that.

 

[splitpea]

Update: booted it up this morning, a bit past the 36-hour mark. Everything seems hunky-dory. Typing this message on it right now.

Be aware that MacBooks typically have liquid contact indicators inside (at least, they used to), in case you decide to take it to Apple for repair, they will likely know if water got inside. If so, they may quote you to replace pretty much everything, because they cannot tell how extensive the damage is, or if it will progress further.

Liquid contact indicator - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Yeah, I'm unlikely to ever want to take this to Apple for repairs (and it's well out of warranty), but progressive damage does concern me. Hence the question about an eventual swelling or fire-prone battery.

Put it in rice

Bad idea for laptops. Getting rice in the vents is pretty destructive. Safe but IMO not very useful for phones and tablets.

Besides, rice isn't actually all that absorbent. It's never even kept the salt in my tabletop salt shaker from solidifying. You're better off putting a laptop somewhere that air can circulate.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

My battery is in good condition, like I said it got a thorough drenching and has been fine so far + health is good. Actually, My local Apple store even has some stock of these old batteries, but I have no real need to change it. Should this change, I will send you a message / post if they make any comments about the condition etc. It's 10 years old!

IMHO, based on the amount of time typical users hold on to such tech you will be fine. If anything weird would have happened, it probably would have shown itself by now. Keep enjoying it OP!

 

[DD88]

Which will do absolutely nothing except mean you have to take it out of rice It's an urban myth.

Wrong , basmati rice does nothing, egg fried on the other hand does.