How to Save Your Laptop After Water Damage with Rice

Last Updated: February 13, 2020

Accidental water spillage on laptops can be one of the most demoralizing experiences; a week’s worth of work can be decimated in a matter of seconds. Fortunately, following these series of steps can help minimise the chances of losing valuable data or computer functions from water damage. Disclaimer: These steps are intended to save laptops from WATER damage, not COFFEE, MILK, or JUICE. Sugary liquids often leave behind solid residue, which complicates the situation. If this is the case, you should still follow these steps to DRY the laptop. However, you should also seek professional assistance.

Steps

1
Turn off your laptop immediately by holding the power button.
2
Make sure the area surrounding the AC adapter is dry if your computer is connected to one. Subsequently, disconnect the power cord from the outlet.
3
Pull out the battery.
4
Tilt the laptop at an angle to discourage liquid from reaching deeper parts in the laptop. (For most spills this may mean to flip the laptop upside down, but use your own judgment).
5
Dry the computer with paper towels in all reachable wet areas.
6
Use one of two methods that can be used to dry the computer’s internal parts.
- One method is to immerse the computer in dry, uncooked rice in a sealed container or plastic bag.
- Another method is to place the computer in a dry location. The moisture should leave the computer naturally.
7
Wait at least 48 hours. This time duration may seem excessive, but waiting for the allotted time can ensure that all of the water inside the computer has left.
8
Reconnect the power cord carefully to the laptop without the battery.
9
Test to see if your computer turns on and is operational.
10
Back up all your files immediately if your computer is operational. In some occasions, the computer will only function for a few hours before permanent failure.
11
Seek proffesional assistance if your computer is still not functioning.

Community Q&A

Question

My son placed his wet keyboard upside down on a bed of rice overnight. Can I now cook the rice or might there be toxins?

Community Answer

There are likely some germs and toxins there, though probably not enough to harm you. It's up to you whether you want to take the risk. Most people would find the idea of eating that rice disgusting and throw it away.
Question

What if my parents' laptop is water-damaged, but I don't want them to find out because they'll blame me for it, even though it's not completely my fault?

Jarod Smith

Community Answer

If the computer is toast, then its toast. There is nothing that you can do about it. Just explain to them what happened, and apologize.
Question

Can I use an external keyboard with my laptop?

Community Answer

Yes. You can plug an external keyboard into the USB jack and use as normal, or you can use a wireless or Bluetooth keyboard with the appropriate USB dongle (some notebooks have built-in Bluetooth, and would not require a dongle).
Question

Can the rice itself damage the laptop?

Community Answer

Not at all. If so, using it wouldn't be advised.
Question

Do I need to do this if the water was only under the laptop?

Jarod Smith

Community Answer

It doesn't matter where the water was -- damage can still be done. As long as your computer works though, then you should be good to go.
Question

If I accidentally got disinfectant spray on my laptop, would this still work?

Community Answer

Yes, these steps should also work for disinfectant spray.
Question

What if the computer has no battery?

Community Answer

Every laptop has a battery, but for some laptops, you may need to unscrew the bottom of your laptop to get the battery out. See the instruction manual for your laptop or look it up online.
Question

My screen was not lighting at all, and I used a hair dryer but some water is still in there. Will it come out if I unscrew the screen and put it in rice?

Community Answer

It might work. It's best to leave the phone in the rice for at least 24 hours.
Question

What if my laptop open button is open but my screen doesn't turn on? Does it mean it's broken?

Community Answer

It sounds like the PC is getting power but the screen is most likely broken.
Question

Does this really work?

Community Answer

Yes. In most cases this works. If it doesn't, your computer may be more severely damaged, and you should consult a professional.

Show more answers

Things You'll Need

Paper towels
Dry, uncooked rice. Preferably from an unopened 25 lb bag (optional)
Sealed container or plastic bag to place laptop inside. A 5 gallon (18.9 L) Rubbermaid bin container should work. (optional)