Spilled tea on Macbook now it's not shutting down

[andreyush]

Hello,

I killed my first Mac. I spilled an entire cup of tea on the keyboard. Now it won't shut down. Screen is black, one fan is not working and the other one is working full speed.

If I keep pressing on the power button it will shut off and turn back on after 10 seconds. How do I put it out of it's misery for good? Help

 

[coffeemilktea]

Make sure it's not plugged in and then turn it upside down (think an upside-down V) and put it on a towel, and then leave it alone for a day. With any luck, nothing has been damaged TOO much, and a trip to the Genius Bar might fix it.

Hopefully the next time you decide to drink near a laptop, you at least cover the keyboard in plastic wrap or something. 🤭

 

[DeltaMac]

Which MacBook do you have?
Is it an intel model, or an M-series processor?
Intel? Try an SMC reset (press and hold Shift-Control-Option, then press the power button. Should shut off immediately. If it simply starts back up - or there is no response to that key combo, then you will need to remove the bottom cover, and disconnect the battery.
Your title says you spilled "tea", but your post says just water. Which is it? Tannic acid in tea can do wicked things pretty quickly to internal connections and contacts on the logic board, or just basically ruin the keyboard ...

 

[andreyush]

Which MacBook do you have?

Is it an intel model, or an M-series processor?
Intel? Try an SMC reset (press and hold Shift-Control-Option, then press the power button. Should shut off immediately. If it simply starts back up - or there is no response to that key combo, then you will need to remove the bottom cover, and disconnect the battery.
Your title says you spilled "tea", but your post says just water. Which is it? Tannic acid in tea can do wicked things pretty quickly to internal connections and contacts on the logic board, or just basically ruin the keyboard ...

It was tea. It is an Intel Mac.

Is it safe to disconect the battery while the mac is on?

 

[Audit13]

The important thing is to disconnect the battery asap to prevent the possibility of further damage.

Yes, it is okay to disconnect the battery while the machine is running. You will need to have the correct pentalobe tool to remove the bottom casing and disconnect the battery. Be sure to use a plastic pry tool to lift the battery connector from the logic board. Be very careful when using metal tools inside the MacBook. I've done this with Intel MacBook Pros and Airs.

The MacBook is powering on by itself because the power button runs through the keyboard and it's likely that the connection is shorted causing it to repeatedly power up.

 

[andreyush]

The important thing is to disconnect the battery asap to prevent the possibility of further damage.

Yes, it is okay to disconnect the battery while the machine is running. You will need to have the correct pentalobe tool to remove the bottom casing and disconnect the battery. Be sure to use a plastic pry tool to lift the battery connector from the logic board. Be very careful when using metal tools inside the MacBook. I've done this with Intel MacBook Pros and Airs.

The MacBook is powering on by itself because the power button runs through the keyboard and it's likely that the connection is shorted causing it to repeatedly power up.

Thanks. It powered off by itself I think it ran out of battery. Not sure if is gonna wake up ever again or work because the spillage was quite big. I learned my lesson today I guess.

 

[Audit13]

Thanks. It powered off by itself I think it ran out of battery. Not sure if is gonna wake up ever again or work because the spillage was quite big. I learned my lesson today I guess.

The unit may be salvaged. I've worked on MacBooks that have been exposed to liquid.

The important thing is to disassemble the MacBook as much as possible, wipe down the affected areas with pure isopropyl alcohol, and allow the unit to dry completely. Once dry, examine the areas for sign is residue and wipe those areas with pure alcohol. More than likely, the battery will need to be replaced and it's also possible the other parts will continue to work without issue for weeks, months, or even years.

 

[velocityg4]

Thanks. It powered off by itself I think it ran out of battery. Not sure if is gonna wake up ever again or work because the spillage was quite big. I learned my lesson today I guess.

Personally, with the power disconnected and battery disconnected. I’d…
- open it,
- remove the display and logic board.
- flush the keyboard with isopropyl alcohol
- set in front of a fan for a week.
- check the logic board for residue.
- if residue exists
- remove cmos battery and flush with alcohol
- dry off as well as possible and prop up in front of fan too