Do this right now, before anything else
Power the laptop off immediately, even if it seems to still be working. Do not press keys to check, do not shake it out, and do not plug it in to charge, since a laptop with liquid inside and power running through it is far more likely to suffer permanent damage than one that is simply switched off.
If the laptop is already off, keep it that way. Tilt it gently so any visible liquid can drain away from the keyboard rather than deeper inside, and do not use a hairdryer or any heat on it, since heat can push liquid further in or damage components on its own.
- Power it off immediately and do not turn it back on to test it
- Unplug the charger, do not attempt to charge it
- Tilt it so liquid drains away from the keyboard, do not shake it
- No hairdryer, no heat, no rice, just power off and call
The honest odds, once we look at it
What spilled and how much of it matters. Plain water is generally the most forgiving, since it does not conduct electricity as readily or leave a sticky residue behind. Coffee, soda, and juice carry sugar and other residue that can corrode internal parts over the following days even if the laptop still turns on. Wine and other alcohol-based drinks fall somewhere in between.
We open the laptop, inspect the keyboard and the logic board underneath it, and tell you plainly what we find: whether it looks recoverable with a cleaning, whether specific parts likely need replacing, or whether the damage is severe enough that repair is not worth the cost compared to a new machine. We never talk you into a repair we do not believe in.
Rescuing your files first
Whatever else happens to the laptop, your photos, documents, and files are usually our first priority. In many cases we can pull the hard drive or connect to it directly and recover your files even when the laptop itself cannot be saved, then move everything onto a new computer or an external drive for safekeeping.
If the laptop turns out to be repairable, we handle the cleaning and any part replacement in the same visit or a prompt follow-up, and test it thoroughly before we call it done.
What to do next
Call (615) 852-5565 as soon as you can, Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and describe what spilled and roughly how much. We will tell you what to do until we arrive and get to you quickly, since the sooner we look at it, the better the odds.
Need patient, local help?
These Deskside services are the closest match for this guide.