Accident occurred when water accidentally fell onto my laptop.
Accident occurred when water accidentally fell onto my laptop.
Hello, I lost my Toshiba Portege x20w-d due to a water spill. The laptop was on when it happened, and water entered through the sides and bottom. I woke up 30-40 minutes later thinking nothing had happened. I opened the bottom cover to dry it but didn’t take it apart because I wasn’t sure. I tried disconnecting the battery and holding the power button, but it didn’t work. The power button lights up, but the charging indicator stays off and the screen is blank. The heatsink feels warm, yet the fan isn’t running.
If water enters an electrical device, remove the battery as instructed, then let it dry completely for several days until no moisture remains. Avoid pressing buttons while it dries, as this raises damage chances. Allow ample time before retrying; success is possible. Note that rice isn't effective at absorbing moisture and shouldn't be used in this way.
After removing the device for a few days, if it still won't function properly, the issue may be due to water damaging components and spreading debris. You can carefully take apart the laptop to access the motherboard or PCB traces. Rinse the electrical parts with distilled water using a soft brush, then clean with isopropyl alcohol. Before reassembling, remove any noticeable dirt, dust, or debris. Allow it to dry in a warm, dry place for a day or two before attempting to power it back on.