My laptop got wet — what to do immediately (Krakow repair guide)

Spilled water, coffee or juice on your laptop? Act fast — the steps you take in the first few minutes can make the difference between a quick repair and an expensive motherboard replacement. Here is exactly what to do.

Step 1: Power off immediately

If the laptop is on, shut it down right now using the power button — do not wait for Windows or macOS to close properly. Every second counts. Electricity and water do not mix.

Step 2: Unplug everything

Disconnect the charger. Remove the battery if it is removable. This cuts power to the components and significantly reduces the risk of a short circuit causing permanent damage.

Step 3: Turn it upside down (tent position)

Open the laptop and turn it upside down like a tent — this allows liquid to drain out through the keyboard instead of flowing deeper toward the motherboard.

Step 4: Do NOT use a hairdryer or put it in rice

These are popular internet myths that cause more harm than good. A hairdryer pushes warm, moist air deeper into the components. Rice does not absorb moisture effectively — and while you wait, corrosion is happening. Time is critical.

Step 5: Do NOT turn it back on

Even if the laptop looks dry after a few hours, switching it on before professional cleaning can cause a short circuit and irreversible damage to the motherboard. This is the most common mistake — and it turns a 300 PLN repair into a 1000+ PLN one.

Bring it to a repair shop as soon as possible

The sooner you bring the laptop in, the better the outcome. Corrosion starts within hours, especially with sugary drinks like coffee or juice. At ProLap in Krakow, water damage cleaning starts from 300 PLN. Free diagnosis — you get a quote before any work begins.

ProLap is located at ul. Kuźnicy Kołłątajowskiej 13, Krakow (Prądnik Biały, near Lewiatan). Open Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat 8:00-15:00. Call: 535 600 901 or visit our contact page.