You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Ejmoon13
Ejmoon13 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Spilled nail polish remover on keyboard

I spilled nail polish remover on my MacBook Air keyboard and now everything is working except the keyboard.


I wiped the liquid off the keyboard after the spill and let it air dry. I stupidly checked to see if it was working and everything seemed fine.


After an hour I went back and the keyboard had stopped working completely. I then turned it off /shut it down and turned it upside down. I’m currently in the middle of my exams which isn’t great. Just wondering when to try and turn it back on.


Also, I want to know whether the keyboard not working before I shut it down is a bad sign that it’s not going to work ever again.


It is worth me buying a new laptop or should I get a new keyboard and plug it in?


I’m also worried about the fact nail polish remover is flammable. Did I wait too long to turn it off or is there still hope?

MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Jan 9, 2023 3:10 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: woodmeister50
woodmeister50
User level: Level 7
20,503 points

Posted on Jan 10, 2023 5:59 AM

Most nail polish remover contains acetone and is not real friendly with many types of plastics (it beaks them down). So, it is most likely the keyboard at a minimum is damaged and needs to be taken to an Authorized Apple Service Provider to be replaced. If it managed to seep through to the circuit boards, there may also be plastic components on the circuit boards that may have been damaged so turning the computer on is not advised.


So, until you can get it checked out and determine what all the damage is and what it will cost and how long it will take should determine whether you want to buy a new computer or not.

View in context

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: woodmeister50
woodmeister50
User level: Level 7
20,503 points

Jan 10, 2023 5:59 AM in response to Ejmoon13

Most nail polish remover contains acetone and is not real friendly with many types of plastics (it beaks them down). So, it is most likely the keyboard at a minimum is damaged and needs to be taken to an Authorized Apple Service Provider to be replaced. If it managed to seep through to the circuit boards, there may also be plastic components on the circuit boards that may have been damaged so turning the computer on is not advised.


So, until you can get it checked out and determine what all the damage is and what it will cost and how long it will take should determine whether you want to buy a new computer or not.

Reply
User profile for user: babowa
babowa
User level: Level 9
78,429 points

Jan 9, 2023 7:45 PM in response to Ejmoon13

No one can answer your questions until it has been examined, so contact Apple support or just take it to an Apple store. They will be able to tell you if you need to get a new one or not; personally, I would expect it to be dead - the ingredients in the polish remover are not exactly "electronics friendly".

Reply

Spilled nail polish remover on keyboard

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up