Introduction
Water damage on MacBook? Don't panic! With quick and correct action, you can often still save your MacBook. Here are the most important immediate measures and professional solutions.
Spilled liquid on your MacBook?
Turn it off and send it in immediately. We perform ultrasonic cleaning and board‑level repair with high success when fast. Free diagnosis and DHL label.
Contact us or create a free DHL label.
⚡ Immediate steps – The first 5 minutes are crucial
- Turn off - IMMEDIATELY!
- Hold down the power button
- Don't shut down properly
- Every second counts
- Disconnect power supply
- Unplug power adapter immediately
- For older models: Remove battery
- No electrical activity!
- Turn MacBook upside down
- Keyboard facing down
- Set up in V-shape
- Let liquid drain
- DO NOT TURN ON!
- No "quick test"
- No curiosity
- Patience saves your MacBook
What happens during a water damage repair?
Liquid causes two types of damage:
- Immediate damage - Short circuits on the logic board
- Long-term damage - Corrosion eats through the board
Affected components by priority:
- Keyboard and trackpad (entry point)
- Logic board (motherboard)
- Battery and charging electronics
- Display connections
- SSD/Hard drive (data recovery often possible)
The most common liquids and their dangers:
| Liquid | Damage potential | Particularity |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Medium | Fast corrosion |
| Coffee | High | Sugar sticks |
| Cola/Soda | Very high | Acid + sugar |
| Wine/Beer | High | Alcohol + sugar |
| Milk | Very high | Proteins harden |
❌ These mistakes worsen the damage:
- Putting MacBook in rice - Rice dust clogs fans
- Hair drying or heating - Solder joints melt
- Shaking - Liquid spreads
- Waiting - Corrosion progresses
- Opening yourself - Dangerous without experience
✅ Professional water damage treatment:
1. Diagnosis (Day 1)
- Complete disassembly
- Damage mapping
- Microscopic examination
- Cost estimate
2. Cleaning (Day 1-2)
- Ultrasonic bath for boards
- Isopropanol treatment
- Corrosion removal
- Drying in special chamber
3. Repair (Day 2-3)
- Replace defective chips
- Perform soldering work
- Replace components
- Function tests
Typical symptoms of water damage
- Sudden shutdown
- No response to power button
- Unusual noises or smells
- Condensation under the display
- Individual components malfunction
Model-specific features
MacBook Air (all)
- Flat design = rapid spread
- Mostly keyboard affected
MacBook Pro 13"/15" (2016-2020)
- Touch Bar very sensitive
- T2 chip at risk
MacBook M1/M2/M3 (2020+)
- Everything soldered
- Data recovery can be more difficult
Preventive measures
- Keep drinks away from your MacBook
- Use closable cups
- Keyboard covers (with caution)
- Regular backups
Case study: Water damage on an M1 MacBook Pro
This week we successfully returned a repaired M1 MacBook Pro to a customer from the Munich area. A white wine spritzer was accidentally spilled over the device. The liquid presumably entered the MacBook from the side through the vent.
Type and extent of damage
The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) switched off immediately – although it was not connected to the power adapter. The battery remained connected to the logic board, a clear sign of direct liquid ingress.
- Liquid traces on the fan
- Corrosion on the flat battery cable
- Several affected connector areas
- Successful cleaning and restoration
- Final function test without abnormalities
Help & Services
If you need professional support, see our service pages: MacBook water damage repair and data recovery.