Spilled water on MacBook pro, only thing not working is screen

I spilled water on my MacBook pro, everything works fine, except for the screen. The laptop turns on, the keyboard works, I can hear the sound of the keys and the sound it makes when it turns on. However, the screen is black. How much would it cost to fix this? An approximation. The damage wasn't bad, just the screen. Thank you in advance

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 8.1.1, Damages

Posted on Feb 4, 2015 8:09 PM

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Posted on Jul 21, 2015 8:57 AM

So I just wanted to give some advice on this site incase anyone ever comes across this page while their computer is currently submerged with water. Last Wednesday around 10AM I was watching netflix on my Macbook Pro and drinking from one of my very large and very FULL of water college cups when I spilt the entire cup onto my keyboard. Immediately I panicked, jumped up, and flipped my computer upside down and grabbed a rag to soak up as much water as I could. I took off the bottom case cover and began drying the bottom of my computer when I saw water leaking out of the USB port. Seconds later my screen went black and the volume from Netflix went dead. (Mind you I was stupid and did not bother to turn off the computer until all this occurred). I turned off my computer and then tried to open the bottom by unscrewing all the screws, which was awful in my case. Got out all of them except for 3 which I stripped clean into circles. I even tried to put it in rice for a minute, but highly doubted that would work for such a big device. When trying to wipe off the keyboard some more I accidentally pressed the power button and almost cried of devastation. I thought that was the end of my Macbook and started googling what I could do to help revive my Macbook. I ran across a website that recommended I place my laptop (open) over a fan for at least 72 hours. I figured I would try it out and pray that it would work when turning it on. It is now Tuesday 11AM and I turned my laptop on this morning to find it working perfectly. All keys working, screen is working, and backlight is working. SO it appears the good ol' laptop over the fan for six days worked. I hope that it continues to work!

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 21, 2015 8:57 AM in response to Bellalasoares

So I just wanted to give some advice on this site incase anyone ever comes across this page while their computer is currently submerged with water. Last Wednesday around 10AM I was watching netflix on my Macbook Pro and drinking from one of my very large and very FULL of water college cups when I spilt the entire cup onto my keyboard. Immediately I panicked, jumped up, and flipped my computer upside down and grabbed a rag to soak up as much water as I could. I took off the bottom case cover and began drying the bottom of my computer when I saw water leaking out of the USB port. Seconds later my screen went black and the volume from Netflix went dead. (Mind you I was stupid and did not bother to turn off the computer until all this occurred). I turned off my computer and then tried to open the bottom by unscrewing all the screws, which was awful in my case. Got out all of them except for 3 which I stripped clean into circles. I even tried to put it in rice for a minute, but highly doubted that would work for such a big device. When trying to wipe off the keyboard some more I accidentally pressed the power button and almost cried of devastation. I thought that was the end of my Macbook and started googling what I could do to help revive my Macbook. I ran across a website that recommended I place my laptop (open) over a fan for at least 72 hours. I figured I would try it out and pray that it would work when turning it on. It is now Tuesday 11AM and I turned my laptop on this morning to find it working perfectly. All keys working, screen is working, and backlight is working. SO it appears the good ol' laptop over the fan for six days worked. I hope that it continues to work!

Feb 4, 2015 8:14 PM in response to Bellalasoares

Actually the screen itself is probably just fine, but the logic board that contains the electronic components required to operate the screen probably needs to be replaced. Assuming that is the case Apple may be able to salvage the upper case, including the screen. Nearly everything else is likely to require replacement though. Only Apple or an AASP can provide a definitive answer: Genius Bar Reservations

Feb 4, 2015 8:17 PM in response to Bellalasoares

OK here's my standard spiel about spills:

"Whenever a liquid spill occurs the first thing that has to happen is the laptop should be shut down immediately. All power must be removed as soon as possible. It is especially important that the battery be disconnected and removed.

All affected parts must be removed from the laptop.

No attempt should be made to start/restart the computer since this could potentially damage the logic board beyond all repair.

Then all affected parts would be washed in deionized water and blown dry with compressed air. (In a water spill the deionized water is probably not as critical. Depends on the mineral content of the water.).

This is especially true of the large chips on the logic board. Liquid can wick under them and cause havoc for weeks if not months after the incident.

The logic board should be placed in a drying/dehumidifing oven for at least two days. Longer depending on the spill.

The keyboard is a separate matter."


" everything works fine, except for the screen."

Worst case scenario; the graphics chip is dead = new logic board.

It will help us to know the exact model, size, year built.

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Spilled water on MacBook pro, only thing not working is screen

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