Have you ever noticed a water drop symbol on the bottom of your Chromebook and wondered what it was? Turns out, it’s a simple solution to a very common problem.
The Answer… STAY CALM!
Have you ever noticed a water drop symbol on the bottom of your Chromebook and wondered what it was? Turns out, it’s a simple solution to a very common problem: accidental spills. Instead of flooding and harming to internal components, with a spill drain, water can flow through the device and exit through the bottom without causing any damage.
“How?” you may ask? Under the keyboard is a drainage system–similar to a roof gutter–which collects and diverts the liquid harmlessly out of the bottom of your Chromebook. This is great news, because not only does it protect they keyboard itself, but it prevents damage to what’s beneath the keyboard (i.e. motherboard, data storage, electrical components and more). Like a “spill resistant keyboard”, spill drains are no guarantee against water damage, but if you follow these steps, the odds of your Chromebook surviving an accident will be much better.
So What Do You Do When You Spill on Your Keyboard?
1. JUST STAY CALM!
It may be tempting to turn the Chromebook upside down or shake it to try to expel the liquid, but by doing so you’re inhibiting your device from taking care of the problem itself. Jostling the device actually spreads the liquid around inside which may cause serious internal damage.
2. Power Off Immediately
As soon as you notice the spill, go ahead and turn off your Chromebook. This simple step helps reduce the chance of any electrical issues while the device dries out.
3. Lift and Place a Towel Underneath
Carefully lift your Chromebook (keeping it level) and place a towel or absorbent cloth underneath. This will catch any liquid that drains out and keep it from pooling inside.
4. Cover the Keyboard with a Towel
Lay another towel or napkin gently over the keyboard to soak up any moisture. This helps draw liquid away from the keyboard surface, allowing the drainage system to do its job.
5. Wait and Let It Drain
Now comes the hard part—waiting! Leave your Chromebook undisturbed for a few hours. The drainage system works best when the device stays level and is left alone. In Trafera’s tests, it took around 5 hours to fully drain all the liquid from a Lenovo Chromebook. So hang tight, resist the urge to move it around, and your Chromebook should be good as gold soon enough!
Applicable Models: Lenovo N series, 500e, 300e and 100e. When in doubt, look for the droplet icon.
Still need help? No worries!
As your trusted partner, Trafera is here to provide expert repairs, advice, and guidance. If you’re part of our network and need assistance, reach out—we’ll make sure your devices are ready to keep making a difference!