Acer Nitro 5 AN515-53 - Small water droplets fell on screen

ShangWang

I dropped my water bottle on the floor and it kind of splashed upwards all over my table including very little water droplets on the bottom of my screen while it was asleep.

I wiped off water with microfiber cloth and from the surface I don't see anymore water, I turned on the laptop screen and it's working fine, no dead pixels or any distortion.

Are there generally any other safety measures I should take or is this ok?

andybig77

For just small droplets of water I am sure you're fine.  With my old laptop I used to get condensation water (from a cold beverage) all over my keyboard.  I eventually ruined it by spilling a lot of water on it.  However the small bits of H2O were never a problem.  And on an LCD screen I can't see how that would hurt.  So many people (improperly, unless stated by directions) spray their LCD screen cleaner directly on screen and never have a problem.

Just try to avoid "Murphy's Law".  I keep my beverages on something underneath my desk and have the laptop elevated on a cooling pad.

If you have a major spill you are supposed to immediately shut it off and turn it over in triangle formation so water can exit.  Leave it there for at least 24 hours turned off.  There is tons of video's of this on YouTube.  But that's for a major spill not small droplets.

andybig77

For just small droplets of water I am sure you're fine.  With my old laptop I used to get condensation water (from a cold beverage) all over my keyboard.  I eventually ruined it by spilling a lot of water on it.  However the small bits of H2O were never a problem.  And on an LCD screen I can't see how that would hurt.  So many people (improperly, unless stated by directions) spray their LCD screen cleaner directly on screen and never have a problem.

Just try to avoid "Murphy's Law".  I keep my beverages on something underneath my desk and have the laptop elevated on a cooling pad.

If you have a major spill you are supposed to immediately shut it off and turn it over in triangle formation so water can exit.  Leave it there for at least 24 hours turned off.  There is tons of video's of this on YouTube.  But that's for a major spill not small droplets.

ShangWang

andybig77 said:

 However the small bits of H2O were never a problem.

I see, thank you! As for a very small amount of water that does get into the edge of the screen, would that water evaporate on it's own, and if not would it even cause any possible damage long term?

andybig77 said:

If you have a major spill you are supposed to immediately shut it off and turn it over in triangle formation so water can exit.  Leave it there for at least 24 hours turned off.  There is tons of video's of this on YouTube.  But that's for a major spill not small droplets.

I'm not too sure about doing the triangle formation if I were to dry my laptop from major spills, I think that would likely put put pressure on the hinges. Isn't it better to open the laptop completely and let it lay flat on a towel?

andybig77

I don't think that it happening once it would cause long term damage at the point/part that you got droplets on will cause any long term damage.  If you go on ebay and look up laptop screens for replacement you'll see they are basically a screen with a ribbon cable attached.  Not too much that could happen.  With electronics nothing is 100% but I would not worry.  Now if you had your laptop was open and flipped over without the battery disconnected then shorts could happen easily with water.

For example and like I tried to say look at the silly way people clean their LCD screens on TV's & monitors etc.  They just spray directly on the screen, many times heavily spraying them and not so many problems.  I don't advise this.  I advise getting a product like "screen mom" form Amazon, waiting for monitor to cool for a half hour and spraying onto microfiber cloth and cleaning that way but I am trying to alleviate any anxiety by saying you are most likely just fine .

In the scenario you have described that happened to you I personally would not worry about it and just try and avoid it in the future.  I'd just advise moving your set-up around slightly to avoid water bottles and the possible dropping of them to hit your computer with any droplets.

ShangWang

andybig77 said:

but I am trying to alleviate any anxiety by saying you are most likely just fine .

Thank you again, I appreciate the help you are giving me. I looked up how screen replacement worked for my model and yep, it's just ribbons and cable, and if something does go wrong I can just take a look by opening up the bezel which I think should be relatively easy to open.

Although this does not concern me I would like to know if the orientation of drying your laptop matters for major spills:
https://prnt.sc/1unqawk

andybig77

As far as the method for major spills I would look on YouTube and see what method seems most plausible and reasonable to you.  Just don't turn it on for a day or two.  That's one of the biggest things.  You have to let it evaporate fully.

Oh and I have heard that rice and other moister absorbing things is not a good idea either.  And to let evaporate naturally.  But that's up to you..  I just try my best to avoid that scenario as best I can.

ShangWang

andybig77 said:

As far as the method for major spills I would look on YouTube and see what method seems most plausible and reasonable to you.  Just don't turn it on for a day or two.  That's one of the biggest things.  You have to let it evaporate fully.

Oh and I have heard that rice and other moister absorbing things is not a good idea either.  And to let evaporate naturally.  But that's up to you..  I just try my best to avoid that scenario as best I can.

Sorry to bother you again, but I'd like to know if any water that MIGHT have even gotten through the bezel will evaporate eventually overtime without doing anything. It was just something on my mind for the day and I'd like to know.

andybig77

Yes I think that it would.  If your worried about it id turn the laptop off.  Have the lid open at a 90 degree angle and hold it upside down so water could potentially escape the way it potentially came in.  I seriously doubt there is any water in there at this point unless it was a lot.

ShangWang

andybig77 said:

Yes I think that it would.  If your worried about it id turn the laptop off.  Have the lid open at a 90 degree angle and hold it upside down so water could potentially escape the way it potentially came in.  I seriously doubt there is any water in there at this point unless it was a lot.

Thank you again, I do travel with my laptop sometimes so whatever is in there will probably come loose and evaporate overtime.

I probably wouldn't go to the extreme unless I was facing issues, but your method will probably not work for me since the bezel is somewhat tight and water won't easily leak out by turning it upside down unless there was a lot.

In any case I'll try to forget about it and go on with my day, have a good one

andybig77

It wasn't too extreme.  I was trying to say just open the lid and hold it for a little while so the bezel is upside down.  Just to be sure, I wasn't suggesting taking the bezel or laptop apart in any way. 

If water got in it can get out.  But yes I really don't think you have anything to worry about from what have described .  Pretty sure your laptop is just fine from this.

I do think if water droplets got in it would evaporate out.

ShangWang

andybig77 said:

It wasn't too extreme.

Sorry I was referencing to having to open the bezel to see if water was in there lol

andybig77

ShangWang said:

andybig77 said:

It wasn't too extreme.

Sorry I was referencing to having to open the bezel to see if water was in there lol

Yes and I want to be sure here.  I wasn't suggesting to take it apart.  Only having the laptop screen open and holding it upside down.

However, I really don't think that is even necessary.  I think your laptop will be just fine especially if you haven't had any problems by now.

ShangWang

andybig77 said:

ShangWang said:

andybig77 said:

It wasn't too extreme.

Sorry I was referencing to having to open the bezel to see if water was in there lol

Yes and I want to be sure here.  I wasn't suggesting to take it apart.  Only having the laptop screen open and holding it upside down.

Yep, no worries that was just my own idea if I wanted to be absolutely sure.