Water (or any other liquid) and electronics are not exactly friends, no matter how much we see devices with certifications of resistance to this element. In the case of Macs it was not going to be less and that is that if your computer has gotten wet, either slightly or not, it could face operational problems. That is why in this article we delve into several questions such as whether the Apple warranty covers damage to the Mac due to humidity or what components it could affect.
Ideal conditions to protect your Mac
The first thing you should know is that not all liquid damage corresponds directly to an accident with a glass of water or a soda. It is not even necessary that any liquid has fallen near the Mac. Sometimes not having the computer in the right temperature and humidity conditions can cause the interior of the device to end up resisting. That is why you should always follow the instructions that Apple itself gives in this regard.
The company advises using and storing its Mac computers in temperatures that are between 10 and 35ºC . Also in situations with a relative humidity of between 0 and 95% without condensation. Any component of the equipment that suffers some kind of problem due to not complying with these recommendations is considered damage caused by misuse.
If the Mac just got wet
If your computer just got wet a few minutes ago, you should immediately follow the following tips:
- Turn it off, whether it was on or not just turned off when wet.
- Remove all kinds of cables and accessories that are connected to it. Headphones, storage disk cables, peripherals, and even the power cord or charger.
- Bring your Mac to a dry surface and let it rest on a clean, dry absorbent cloth or cloth.
- Try to dry the equipment with paper or a dry cloth, but without using any type of liquid. Remember that you are drying it, not cleaning it.
- Do not use a dryer or other similar tool for the drying process, as it could be counterproductive.
- Try that the area where you have left the Mac has sunlight that helps it dry before, but not that falls directly on it.
- Once you have removed it from all liquid, do not move or shake it, since if it has liquid inside it you could be dragging it unnecessarily.
- Do not turn it on for any reason until several hours have passed.
- You should also discard the idea of putting it in rice and not because of the complexity that it can bring depending on the size of your Mac, but also because it is something that is not really proven to be effective.
Can I turn it on after several hours?
You can try it, but at the slightest problem turn it off again. If you hear a strange sound when you turn on or even see sparks fly or something similar, completely discard this idea because it could not only endanger your Mac, but also your physical integrity and that of the place where you are.
If it’s gotten wet and it works the same
Common sense must be prioritized in these cases. If you have simply spilled a little liquid on it and you have dried it quickly, there should be no problem a priori. If you suspect that it may have gotten inside, despite working well, don’t claim victory just yet.
Liquid damage may not present any apparent failures at first, but it is possible that in the future if it could. Problems with the keyboard in the case of laptops, unexpected reboots or the inability to turn on the Mac are some of the most common failures that do not always appear at the moment.
Which components can it affect?
Virtually all the elements that make up a Mac computer can be affected by water, since it conducts electricity for all of them. Therefore, we can find problems if moisture enters the screen and its content can be displayed incorrectly, as well as the keyboard or trackpad of a laptop stops working. If at best you have an iMac, you can always get another external peripheral.
However, the most common problems are in the motherboard , where the compendium of chips and circuits that allow the Mac to function is housed. In the best of cases, it is only one component of the motherboard that has been damaged by humidity, but unfortunately, unique components of it are not usually repaired. Therefore, the entire board should be changed and in some cases even the entire computer because it has become unusable.
What does the warranty say about these damages?
Unfortunately few brands cover this type of repair within the conditions of their legal guarantee, neither for mobile devices where it is more common nor for computers. Apple makes no exceptions in these cases and the warranty will not cover any such repairs. It does not mean that it will not repair the computer if you wish, but it will make you go through the box for it and the price will depend on the exact type of damage and the model of your Mac.
This is an extract of what the warranty says regarding these damages, specifically in section “d” of the same:
This warranty does not apply in the following cases: […] damage caused by accident, misuse, improper use, fire, contact with liquids , earthquakes or any other external cause […].
Where is it best to take it for repair?
Although it is not covered by your warranty, Apple technical support is still the most recommended, especially if it is a motherboard change. If you do not have an Apple Store nearby where you can request a repair appointment or you do not want to go in person, you can request that the equipment be collected at your home or, failing that, request an appointment at one of the so-called SAT (Service English acronyms). Authorized Technician). Both Apple itself and those other services have original parts and a warranty after repair, in addition to having specialized technicians in the matter. It is for these reasons that it is always advisable to take a damaged Mac to an official service.