A customer reports that their projector won't turn on after a water leak in the conference room. What should the service technician do first?

The first step a service technician should take when a customer reports that a projector won’t turn on after a water leak is to inspect each system component for water damage. This is critical because water exposure can cause significant damage to the internal components of electronic devices, including projectors. Assessing the extent of any water damage helps determine the appropriate course of action, whether that may involve cleaning, repairing, or replacing parts of the system.

The technician's initial inspection can reveal not only damage to the projector itself but also to related equipment such as power supplies or control systems. Identifying the root cause of the malfunction prevents unnecessary replacement of equipment that might still be functional after addressing the water damage. Moreover, replacing components or the projector prematurely might waste resources if the issue can be resolved through cleaning or reparative measures. This methodical approach also helps ensure the safety of users and protects investment in the AV technology.