Hair product spill

[Clumsy2]

Hi all, 

I stupidly dropped some hair product on my HP pavilion laptop, I turned it upside down for about 3 days. 

Ive opened it up and tried to clean it with 99%IPA. I cant see any visible damage/corrosion.

I put it on charge for like 2 seconds (took it off because I panicked :(.) When it was on charge the charger light turned red and I did press the on button, it turned white, but the screen didnt turn on. I could also hear the fans.

What should I do?.

Thanks! 

[NonSequitur777]

@Clumsy2,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Since you saw the power light turn white and heard fans, the motherboard is likely still functional, but the liquid may have shorted the display cable connection or the RAM.

Hair products are often conductive or leave a filmy residue that 99% IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) can't always dissolve on the first pass. Here is the safest "Next Steps" protocol for a Pavilion laptop:

1. The "Complete Power Flush" (Safety First) :

The fact that you saw a red/white light means there is still power in the system. You must neutralize it before cleaning again:

• Disconnect the battery: Open the case and physically unplug the battery connector from the motherboard. Do you need instructions how to do that? -I need to know what model laptop you got.
• Hold the Power Button: With the battery and AC adapter unplugged, hold the power button for 30 seconds. This drains the capacitors so you don't cause a spark while cleaning.
• Btw, if the following is way outside your comfort zone, it may be best to take your laptop to a local laptop service/repair shop and have them perform these tasks!

2. Target the "Invisible" Short Points:

Liquid often hides under connectors. You need to "reseat" and clean these specific areas:

• The RAM: Remove the RAM sticks. Clean the gold contacts with IPA and a lint-free cloth. Use a soft toothbrush dipped in IPA to gently scrub the RAM slots on the motherboard.
• The Display (EDP) Cable: Find the wide ribbon cable labeled "Display" or "EDP." Unplug it, check for any "caramelized" residue from the hair product, clean it with IPA, and plug it back in firmly.
• The Keyboard Connector: Hair product is often thick; if it got into the keyboard ribbon cable, it can "stick" the power button or send ghost signals that prevent booting.

3. The "External Screen" Test:

This will tell you if the laptop is actually "on" but just has a dead screen:

1. Plug the laptop into a TV or Monitor via HDMI.
2. Turn it on.
3. If you see an image on the TV, your motherboard is fine, but the laptop's internal screen or cable is damaged.

4. Look for "Green" or "White" Crust:

Since it sat for 3 days, look for corrosion. It looks like tiny bits of green mold or white salt. If you see this around small silver components (resistors), scrub them gently with the toothbrush and IPA until they look shiny again.

Crucial Warning: Do not "test" it again for at least 4 hours after cleaning with IPA to ensure every drop has evaporated from underneath the chips.

Do you know which specific HP Pavilion model this is (e.g., Pavilion 14, 15, or x360), and where exactly on the laptop did the product spill? This helps identify if it hit the CPU or just the peripheral ports.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Clumsy2]

Hey, 

Thank you so much for your response 

Its HP pavilion 14 I believe, its touch screen. 

I'll try the things you've recommended. 

Thanks again! I hope something works! 

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@Clumsy2,

Here is an HP Pavilion 14 YouTube instructional disassembly video: Removing & replacing parts for HP Pavilion 14-dv0000 | HP Computer Service.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Clumsy2]

Thank you!!

[NonSequitur777]

@Clumsy2,

You're quite welcome!

Warm Regards,

NonSequitur777