5 Computer Water Damage Symptoms to Look For | Computer Troubleshooters (2024)

FAQs

5 Computer Water Damage Symptoms to Look For | Computer Troubleshooters? ›

Another telltale sign of moisture issues is discoloration outside or inside your computer. Complete a visual inspection to check for corrosion around connectors and your motherboard. Any white or green residue is typically a good indicator that you've had liquid inside your computer.

Another telltale sign of moisture issues is discoloration outside or inside your computer. Complete a visual inspection to check for corrosion around connectors and your motherboard. Any white or green residue is typically a good indicator that you've had liquid inside your computer.

Mold growth, discoloration, swelling, or musty odors are common indicators of water damage that might become noticeable over time. It's important to address water intrusion promptly to mitigate further damage and minimize potential health risks associated with mold growth.

The cloud patch on your laptop screen is likely caused by moisture or water trapped between the layers of the screen. It can appear as a cloudy or hazy area and may distort the display.

Identifying Corrosion

One of the most common symptoms of water-damaged electronics is corrosion. Corrosion occurs when water reacts with metal components of the device, causing them to oxidize and deteriorate. Corrosion can cause the device to malfunction or fail entirely.

Can a water-damaged PC still be repaired? Yes they can. The most important thing to save is the data, and that means the Hard Drive and SSD. If the PC was in immersed in salt water, it should be cleaned (except for the SSD and HDD) with clean water.

One of the most severe issues that can occur is the weakening of your home's structural integrity. Once the wood in your home absorbs water, it can rot and possibly collapse. Untreated water damage can also ruin your electrical systems, corrode plumbing, destroy your ceilings and walls, and cause mold growth.

Symptoms of Computer Screen Damage

Here are some common symptoms: Physical damage: Cracks, chips, or visible fractures in the screen. Dead pixels: Small, persistent black or colored dots on the display.

How long does it take for water to ruin a computer? ›

It only takes a single droplet in the wrong place to absolutely and permanently destroy your device. A trained technician can disassemble and inspect your components for liquid intrusion, clean up any mess using specialized tools and chemicals, and thoroughly dry everything before testing it.

The liquid from the spill won't cause the damage, but the residue it leaves behind after drying will. Turn the laptop upside-down or on its side and let it sit for at least twenty-four hours.

A liquid contact indicator (LCI) is a small indicator that turns from white into another color, typically red, after contact with water. These indicators are small adhesives that are placed on several points within electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones.

To identify if your device has water damage, review the following: Corrosion, discoloration, or fuzzy growth on the charging set, headset, SIM or memory port. Moisture under the display screen. Liquid Detection Indicator that has been activated.

Immediate Impact

When a laptop encounters water, the initial impact can be immediate. The liquid can seep into the keyboard, trackpad or other openings, causing the device to shut down abruptly or exhibit erratic behaviour.

The answer is pretty simple- a wet computer with a motherboard will most have damaged components or parts that will ask for fixing. However, if you are lucky, a computer will survive a spill of water without much damage.

Allow at least 24 hours for your computer to fully air dry for best results.

One of the easiest ways to monitor your PC water cooling system is to use a software tool that can display the temperature and pressure of your CPU, GPU, and other components. Some examples of such tools are HWMonitor, Open Hardware Monitor, and AIDA64.