What should I do right after spilling liquid on a laptop?

The first 60 seconds

Liquid does its worst damage when power is flowing through it. Current passing through wet circuitry can short components, and the longer it runs, the more likely something permanent fails. Lenovo's own guidance in its user guide FAQ is blunt: unplug the AC adapter and turn the computer off immediately, because the more quickly you stop current passing through it, the less short-circuit damage you get. It also says you may lose unsaved work and that is the right trade.

1. Unplug the charger. If you are standing in liquid or the laptop is smoking, hot or bulging, do not touch the cord. Switch off power at the circuit breaker instead and step back.
2. Force it off. Skip the Start or Apple menu. Hold the power button until the screen and lights go dark; iFixit's spill guide says 5 to 10 seconds usually does it.
3. Unplug everything else. Mice, USB drives, headphones, docks and external monitors.
4. Blot, do not wipe in. Use a clean towel on the surface and just under the keys. Press and lift; do not drag liquid toward the edges or ports.
5. Drain it. This is where manufacturers and repair guides differ, so check your model. iFixit tilts the laptop upside down over a towel to let liquid run out. Lenovo's FAQ says not to turn the computer over to drain it, and notes that models with keyboard drainage holes in the base let liquid escape that way. If your manual mentions drainage holes, follow the manual. If not, a gentle tilt is the cautious middle path.
6. Remove the battery only if it is designed to come out. On a laptop with a removable battery, take it out. On a sealed one, do not start taking the base off unless you have done it before; a repair shop can disconnect it safely.

What to avoid

• Rice. iFixit's verdict is that it does not work at all, and it gives the liquid longer to corrode things while grains can end up under the keys.
• A hair dryer or heater. Forced hot air can push liquid deeper and warp keycaps and thin plastics.
• Turning it on to check. This is the most common way a survivable spill becomes a dead board.
• Charging it while damp. Wait.

How long to wait

The firm rule is to wait until you are certain everything is dry. iFixit suggests a full 24 hours is best if you can manage it, and longer is better if the spill was large or the liquid was sticky. Leave the laptop open or tented in a room with moving air, away from direct heat.

Does the liquid matter?

Yes. Plain water is the easiest case. Anything with sugar, milk, salt or soap leaves residue, and iFixit notes that very acidic drinks such as cola or lemon juice and basic liquids such as soapy water make drying out more urgent. Residue keeps corroding contacts after the surface looks dry, so for anything other than clean water, a repair shop is the better choice even if the laptop seems fine.

When to use a repair shop

Situation	What to do
A few drops of water on the keyboard, off quickly	Follow the steps above, dry for a day, test carefully
A cup or more of any liquid	Shut down, drain, then have a shop open it and clean the board
Coffee, juice, soda, beer, milk	Take it to a shop; residue needs cleaning
Sealed battery and no repair experience	Take it to a shop before powering on
Battery swollen, hot or smelling odd	Keep away from it and dispose of the battery at a recycling point

Ask the shop up front whether it does liquid damage work, and ring before you travel. Check the warranty paperwork too: many warranties exclude liquid damage, but it costs nothing to ask the manufacturer.

After you power it back on

Watch for flicker, a dim or lined screen, keys that repeat, a trackpad that misbehaves, or a battery that drains fast. iFixit lists the battery, the screen or its cable, and parts of the logic board as the most likely failures. Copy your files off as soon as it boots, even if it seems fully recovered. For routine cleaning afterwards, see how to clean a laptop screen and keyboard safely, and if the battery now behaves oddly, how long a laptop battery should last covers what normal wear looks like.