Getting liquid spilled on your keyboard can be a nightmare. Your immediate reaction may be to panic, quickly unplug it and try drying it off. But before you take any action, it’s important to understand what happens when a keyboard gets wet and determine if it can still be functional afterwards.
What happens when a keyboard gets wet?
When any liquid is spilled on a keyboard, it can seep down into the internal components and cause short circuits. The main things affected are:
- The membrane – This is the thin plastic layer with electrical circuits printed on it. Liquid can damage the circuits and prevent key presses from registering.
- The switches – Under each key is a plastic switch mechanism that gets pressed down when you type. Liquid can corrode the contacts and prevent them from working.
- The electronics – The keyboard’s internal chipset and wiring can short out if they come into contact with liquid, rendering the keyboard non-functional.
The end result is keys that stop working properly, erroneous key presses, or a complete failure of the keyboard. The amount of damage depends on the type and amount of liquid spilled.
Does the type of keyboard matter?
There are three main types of keyboard construction, each of which handles liquid differently:
Membrane keyboards
This is the most common and affordable type of keyboard construction. The membrane is most vulnerable to liquid damage because it’s so thin and positioned directly beneath the keys.
Mechanical keyboards
Mechanical keyboards have separate switches under each key. The switches are more sealed off and resilient against liquid compared to a membrane. However, the electronics are still vulnerable if enough liquid seeps in.
Chiclet keyboards
These low-profile keyboards have minimal spacing between keys. While designed to prevent crumbs and dust from getting in, liquid can still penetrate fairly easily.
So in summary, mechanical keyboards tend to hold up the best against spills, but no keyboard type is completely impervious to liquid damage.
Does the type of liquid matter?
Yes, certain liquids are more damaging to keyboards than others:
- Water – Pure water itself won’t cause too much damage since it’s not electrically conductive. The main risk is if minerals in the water leave residue that creates electrical shorts.
- Soda – Carbonated drinks like cola can be very corrosive to the intricate components in a keyboard. Sticky sugars are also difficult to clean off.
- Coffee/tea – The acids in these drinks can corrode the circuits and metal contacts. Heat from hot liquids also accelerates damage.
- Alcohol – Drinks like beer, wine, and cocktails contain conductive elements that readily bridge electrical components.
As a general rule, the stickier and more acidic a spilled liquid is, the worse the damage potential. Hot liquids also react faster than colder liquids.
Can you save a wet keyboard by drying it off?
If liquid is spilled on a keyboard, time is of the essence. The longer it sits, the more damage it will cause. Here are some steps you can take to try drying it off:
- Unplug the keyboard immediately. This will prevent electrical shorts and further damage.
- Shake the keyboard to drain excess liquid and gently blot the top and sides with a dry towel. Don’t rub it which can push the liquid deeper in.
- If possible, remove the keycaps and use tweezers to wipe out any visible moisture underneath.
- Let the keyboard air dry upside down for at least 24-48 hours to allow any residual liquid to evaporate.
- Check for sticky keys or non-functional keys after reconnecting it. You may need to replace individual key switches.
The quicker you can remove the liquid, the better chance your keyboard has of drying out and still functioning. However, there’s no guarantee — long-term moisture damage may still occur after drying.
Does the keyboard layout matter?
Keyboard layouts with tighter spaces between keys or openings on the sides can allow liquids to penetrate deeper into the internal components. Here are some examples:
Standard keyboard
Full-size keyboards with number pads have more spacing between keys for liquid to escape from the surface. The extended frame also provides less direct access to the circuitry.
Laptop keyboard
Laptops allow less clearance for draining liquid and have openings on the sides for ventilation that can let liquid through. The integrated keyboard is also harder to dry out completely.
Chiclet keyboard
As noted earlier, low-profile chiclet keyboards provide direct access for liquids to seep down below the keys and potentially reach the membrane or switches.
Does how long the keyboard was wet matter?
Yes, the duration of exposure to liquid definitely plays a role in the extent of the damage:
- Less than 10 minutes – Quick drying can potentially save the keyboard if it wasn’t immersed in liquid.
- 10 minutes to 1 hour– Drying may still recover the keyboard, but sticky keys or dead keys are likely.
- 1 to 6 hours – At this point, corrosion and short circuiting is likely causing keyboard failure.
- Over 6 hours – Long-term immersion will cause irreversible damage to the membrane and electronics.
The general consensus is that the longer a keyboard sits wet, the lower your chances of bringing it back to life. For the best results, make drying it off your top priority.
Can you use a keyboard after drying if liquid got inside?
If liquid seeped inside your keyboard, should it still work after drying off? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Keys may feel sticky for a while if sugar or oil got inside.
- Mineral deposits left by water could eventually cause electrical shorts.
- Corrosion from acidic drinks may gradually cause keys to fail.
- Keys affected by moisture damage may stop working again in the future.
So while a keyboard may seem to work after thorough drying, problems can show up down the road if liquid infiltrated the internals. The lifespan is reduced and issues like dead keys popping up are likely.
Do spill drain holes make a difference?
Some modern keyboards incorporate drain holes specifically to address liquid spills. Do these actually help? Here are the pros and cons:
Pros
- Allows direct drainage from the keyboard interior.
- Prevents liquid from being trapped inside.
- Makes key switches less susceptible to corrosion.
Cons
- Holes are still limited in number and location.
- Doesn’t protect other internal components from moisture damage.
- Crumbs and dust can also enter through the drainage holes.
Overall, spill drain holes are beneficial for reducing the risks of a spill contacting electronics directly beneath the keys. However, they don’t provide full liquid protection or means the keyboard is invincible.
Do keyboard covers help prevent liquid damage?
Keyboard covers made of plastic or silicone can create a barrier between keys and spilled liquids. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Covers block direct spill access to electronics underneath.
- They are inexpensive protection against minor spills.
- Allows time to properly unplug and dry off the keyboard.
Cons
- Won’t protect against a full immersion event.
- Spills can still seep around the edges of a cover.
- Cheap covers tend to tear easily and don’t fit well.
Overall, external keyboard covers provide useful spill defense in moderation. But they aren’t a substitute for promptly drying off liquid from a serious spill.
Should you try fixing or salvaging a wet keyboard yourself?
Is it worth trying to repair a liquid damaged keyboard on your own? Here are a few considerations:
- Do-it-yourself repairs are possible by cleaning corroded contacts, replacing key switches or membranes. But this requires technical skill and special equipment.
- Completely dismantling the keyboard to clean and dry internal components is tedious and risks further damage.
- If you lack the technical expertise, it’s safer to replace the entire keyboard or hire a repair service.
In summary, DIY keyboard repairs for liquid damage may not be worthwhile except for mechanical keyboards with replaceable switches. Otherwise, replacement or pro repair is the best bet.
How can you try to prevent keyboard liquid damage?
Here are some tips to help avoid the risk of spilled liquids damaging your keyboard:
- Always keep drinks far away from your computer to prevent accidental spills.
- Use a spill resistant keyboard cover for basic protection.
- Invest in a higher quality mechanical keyboard for longevity.
- Reinforce a no-liquid policy around computers for kids and others.
- Position laptops away from table edges to minimize spill risks.
While not foolproof, being cautious with drinks near keyboards and using protective accessories can greatly reduce your chances of having to deal with moisture damage down the road.
Key Takeaways
- Most keyboards can sustain some minor wetness if dried quickly, but liquid can permanently damage the membrane and electronics.
- Mechanical keyboards are more resilient against liquids than membrane keyboards.
- Quick drying and removal of a spilled liquid provides the best chance of saving a keyboard.
- Longer exposure and liquids like soda greatly increase the risks of permanent damage.
- Replacement or professional repair is recommended for most liquid damaged keyboards beyond DIY methods.
Conclusion
Liquid spills are a common keyboard hazard, but not necessarily a death blow. The keyboard construction, liquid type, time wet and quick reaction all play roles in whether drying can rescue a soaked keyboard. While best to exercise caution around keyboards, don’t panic if an accident happens – there’s a possibility drowned keys can revive if given proper drying time. Just be ready with a backup keyboard if full functionality isn’t restored.