What to do if your device gets wet

TL;DR

Do these right now

Keep the Chromebook flat, keyboard up, unplugged and powered off, then put in a helpdesk ticket. Most spills are fixable if you follow these steps in the first minute.

1. Unplug it. Pull the charger out of the wall first, then out of the Chromebook. Don't touch the charger with wet hands.

2. Keep it flat, keyboard facing up. Leave it on the desk exactly as it is. Do not tilt, flip, turn it sideways or shake it.

3. Turn it off. Hold the power button until the screen goes black (about 10 seconds). Don't wait to save your work.

4. Lift it straight up off the puddle. If it's sitting in liquid, raise it level and set it down on a dry, flat surface, still keyboard up.

5. Blot, don't wipe. Gently dab the keyboard and edges with a paper towel or cloth. Don't press keys or rub liquid across the keyboard.

6. Remove the case or sleeve. Take off any cover so liquid can drain out of the bottom.

7. Leave it off and put in a helpdesk ticket. IT will come collect it. Until then, don't turn it on to "see if it works."

Why flat and keyboard-up matters

Our Chromebooks are built to drain spills on their own, but only when they sit flat. Under the keyboard is a channel that catches liquid and guides it out through small drainage holes on the bottom of the case, away from the motherboard and battery.

When you flip the Chromebook upside down, stand it on its side, or shake it, the liquid leaves that channel. It runs across the circuit board, the battery and the screen connector, which are the parts that are expensive to fix. A spill that would have drained harmlessly becomes a repair.

So the best thing you can do is the easiest: leave it flat, keyboard up, and let gravity do the work.

Do NOT

The most damage we see comes from plugging in a wet Chromebook. Charging sends power through the board while liquid is still inside, which can short it out for good.

• Don't plug it in or charge it, even if the battery is low or it won't turn on. Not until IT has checked it.

• Don't turn it back on to test it. Powering on a wet board is what causes most permanent damage.

• Don't flip it upside down, stand it on its side, or shake it. This spreads liquid onto the parts the drainage system is protecting.

• Don't use a hair dryer, heater, oven or microwave. Heat can warp the case and melt parts.

• Don't put it in rice. Rice doesn't pull liquid out of electronics, and the dust and grains get stuck in the ports and keys.

• Don't pop off keys or open the case. Leave repairs to IT.

• Don't hide it. Waiting a few days makes damage worse, especially with sugary drinks. Spills happen, and reporting it fast is the best way to save the device.

Next steps: put in a ticket

Put in a helpdesk ticket as soon as you can, and IT will come collect the Chromebook. Until we arrive, leave it where it is, flat with the keyboard up, and keep the charger next to it.

In the ticket, tell us:

• What was spilled: water, or something sticky like soda, juice, milk or coffee.

• About how much: a few drops, a splash, or a full cup.

• When it happened.

• What you've done so far, including whether it was plugged in or turned on after the spill.

Be honest about the last one. It doesn't get anyone in trouble, and it tells us where to look for damage.

IT will let it dry fully (usually at least 24 to 48 hours) and check it before it goes back into use. If needed, we'll give you a loaner in the meantime.

Special cases