MacBook Water Damage — What to Do First
The first hour matters most. Here's how to give your MacBook the best chance.
- Mac
- By Ray Berro, Tech4Service
Liquid and electronics are a race against corrosion. What you do in the first hour dramatically changes recovery odds.
Do this immediately
- Power off now — hold the power button; do not restart to "check if it works"
- Unplug the charger and disconnect any accessories
- Do not charge it — powering a wet board causes short circuits and corrosion
- Turn it upside down in a tent shape to let liquid drain away from the board
What NOT to do
Skip the rice myth — it does nothing for internal corrosion. Don't use a hairdryer (heat and forced air push liquid deeper). Don't keep testing power; every attempt risks more damage.
Why speed matters
Sugary or salty liquids (coffee, pop, juice) are conductive and corrosive. Within hours, corrosion spreads across the logic board. Professional ultrasonic cleaning and board inspection are far more effective the sooner they happen.
How we recover liquid-damaged Macs
We disassemble, inspect under magnification, ultrasonically clean the board, and repair corroded traces or failed components at the board level. See our Mac repair and data recovery services if the drive is affected.
Common Questions
When should I stop troubleshooting and book a repair?
If the problem appeared suddenly, involves hardware sounds (clicking, grinding), liquid damage, or persists after safe software steps — book a diagnostic. We'll confirm the fix and price before work begins.
How much does professional repair cost?
Most repairs fall in the $89–$250 range after diagnostics. See our pricing page or book a free basic diagnostic on most drop-off repairs.
Rather leave it to a pro?
Book a diagnostic — we'll confirm the fix, price, and timeline. 30-day labour warranty on completed repairs.