Spilled milk on my laptop and now neither wifi, the touchpad or returning to factory settings work

Handling Laptop Damage from Liquid Spills: Troubleshooting and Recovery Tips

Accidental liquid spills on laptops can be distressing, especially when the device begins to malfunction afterward. Recently, I experienced this firsthand after spilling milk on my laptop. Despite disassembling it to dry the components thoroughly and reassembling everything, I encountered new issues: the touchpad no longer responds, and Wi-Fi connectivity has been lost. Additionally, attempts to restore the device to factory settings have resulted in errors without specific error codes, leaving me uncertain about the next steps.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are some important considerations and troubleshooting steps that may help you recover your device or assess the extent of the damage:

1. Power Off and Disconnect Power Sources

Immediately disconnect your laptop from power and shut it down to prevent short circuits. If the liquid is still present, avoid turning the device back on until it’s properly dried.

2. Disassemble and Thoroughly Dry Internal Components

Carefully disassemble your laptop according to manufacturer guidelines. Use lint-free cloths and absorbent materials to wipe and dry all accessible components. Consider using compressed air to blow out residual moisture from ports and internal cavities.

3. Allow Adequate Drying Time

After disassembly, leave the components in a dry, ventilated space for at least 48-72 hours. Some technicians recommend placing the components in a container with silica gel packs to accelerate moisture absorption.

4. Inspect for Corrosion or Visible Damage

Look for signs of corrosion, burnt components, or residue from the spill. Corrosion can cause electrical issues, and damaged parts may need replacement.

5. Reassemble and Test

Once confident that the components are dry and clean, carefully reassemble the laptop. Power it on and check basic functionality.

6. Troubleshoot Hardware and Software Issues

If problems persist:
– Touchpad malfunction: Ensure drivers are installed correctly. Visit the device manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers or try reinstalling them.
– Wi-Fi issues: Verify that the wireless card is seated properly and detect any physical damage. Consider resetting network settings or reinstalling network drivers.
– Factory reset errors: Check for system errors or corrupted recovery partitions. You might need to create a bootable USB drive with the OS installation media to perform a clean installation.