As a tech writer and someone who uses keyboards daily, I’m often curious about how durable keyboards really are. We all know that water and electronics don’t mix well, but what exactly happens if you spill some water on your keyboard? Will it be totally ruined or can it somehow survive? Let’s dig into this question and see what we can find out.
How water can damage a keyboard
Keyboards may seem impervious to small spills and drops of water, but there are a few ways that H2O can damage the inner workings:
- Corrosion – Many of the intricate circuits and electrical components inside are metal-based. When exposed to water, corrosion can start taking place. This oxidizes the metal and causes components to degrade or stop working.
- Short circuiting – Water can cause short circuits between closely spaced components and traces. This disrupts the path of electricity and prevents characters from registering when keys are pressed.
- Residue – After water dries, it can leave behind mineral deposits and corroded materials that can interfere with electricity flow and build up on sensitive components.
- Damage to membranes – The rubber membranes underneath the keys that register presses can be affected by water exposure or corrosion.
So while a minor splash here and there may not immediately cause harm, extended exposure to water or immersion can certainly damage the internals of a keyboard and cause temporary or permanent operational issues.
Factors that influence water damage
Not all water incidents are created equal when it comes to keyboards. A number of factors come into play that determine the extent of the damage:
- Liquid type – Pure water itself causes issues as described above, but other beverages like soda, coffee, juice, etc can be even worse due to sugars, acids, and minerals that can rapidly corrode and “gunk up” a keyboard.
- Power status – Spilling liquid onto a powered on and operating keyboard is far worse than one that’s powered off, as electricity actively flows through components and traces when powered.
- Volume – The amount of liquid spilled makes a big difference. A few drops or a light splash may not reach critical components, while spilling an entire cup of water can flood the inner workings.
- Drying time – Leaving a keyboard wet for an extended period accelerates damage. Quickly powering off, drying, and cleaning decreases harm.
- Keyboard construction – Some modern keyboards have better sealing, drainage channels, and water resistance compared to older types.
Being aware of these factors provides insight into the relative risks of different water exposure scenarios when it comes to keyboards.
What happens immediately after water spillage
When water first hits a keyboard, what are the immediate effects? Here is a general timeline of what happens in the moments after liquid is spilled or dropped onto a keyboard:
- 0 – 30 seconds: Liquid splashes onto and seeps into keyboard. Some temporary short circuits may occur, resulting in erroneous key presses.
- 30 seconds – 2 minutes: Keyboard begins to experience significant electrical issues from short circuits. Keys no longer register presses or do so intermittently.
- 2 – 5 minutes: Corrosion begins to set in on exposed metal electrical components as water reacts with metal. Some keys may register permanently.
- 5+ minutes: Damage deepens and spreads. Corrosion accelerates and builds up on electrical components, inhibiting function. Dried mineral residue is left behind.
The quick takeaway is that for the best chance of saving the keyboard, immediate action should be taken within the first 30 seconds to power off, unplug, drain, dry, and clean up any spilled liquid. The longer moisture is left on the components, the worse the corrosion damage becomes.
Steps to dry out and recover a water-exposed keyboard
Ok, so liquid ended up getting spilled or dropped onto your faithful keyboard. Don’t panic! Here are some steps you can take to try and dry it out and bring it back to life:
- Power off and unplug immediately – This stops electricity flow that can short circuit components while wet.
- Drain and dab – Tip the keyboard to drain excess liquid out through openings. Dab up any pooled water with a towel.
- Disassemble – Take apart the keyboard to access innards and dab up moisture on internal parts.
- Dry components – Use a can of compressed air to blow remaining droplets off components and cavities.
- Absorbent materials – Bury keyboard innards in dry rice, kitty litter or silica gel packs overnight to absorb residual moisture.
- Clean corrosion – Use isopropyl alcohol and electronics-safe cleaners to gently remove corrosion once fully dry.
- Reassemble and test – Let keyboard fully dry for at least 48 hours before reassembling and testing.
With quick action, thorough drying of all components, and delicate corrosion removal, it’s sometimes possible to salvage an otherwise doomed water-damaged keyboard.
Keyboard water resistance best practices
While no keyboard is 100% impervious to liquid damage, there are some best practices you can employ to boost your keyboard’s water resistance:
- Use a water resistant or spill-proof keyboard cover.
- Position keyboard away from edges where liquids could drip or spill.
- Take care not to eat or drink around the keyboard.
- Keep liquids capped when not in use.
- Keep a dry towel handy to absorb spills quickly.
- Power off and unplug immediately after a spill.
- Perform occasional cleaning under the keys.
- Consider a modern keyboard with drain channels and sealed components.
Layering these preventative methods dramatically reduces the chances of a damaging liquid encounter that could put your keyboard out of commission.
What types of keyboards are most resilient?
When shopping for a new keyboard, you may wonder which types and models are most water and spill-resistant. Here are a few keyboard types that tend to fare better with liquid exposure:
- Membrane keyboards – The rubber membrane sheet helps prevent liquid seeping.
- Chiclet keyboards – Gaps between keys allow drainage and air flow.
- Washable medical keyboards – Can be fully submerged and cleaned.
- Gaming keyboards – More robust internal sealing and drainage channels.
- Chromebook keyboards – Some models have drainage holes and channels.
There are also “waterproof” keyboards advertised for use in wet environments. But most commercial-grade waterproof keyboards still only resist brief water exposure, not complete submersion. Overall membrane, chiclet, and medical keyboards tend to do better with spills before failure.
Are keyboard covers effective?
For an added layer of protection, keyboard covers made of flexible silicone can help prevent water from reaching the actual keys and internal components. When selecting a keyboard cover, make sure it:
- Is designed specifically for your keyboard model.
- Is flexible and thin enough to allow key presses.
- Covers the entire keyboard surface area.
- Allows access to ports and openings.
- Is made of waterproof silicone.
With a snug fitting and durable silicone cover, errant spills are less likely to reach your keyboard’s vital inner electronics.
Pros of keyboard covers
- Blocks spills from reaching keyboard
- Waterproof and washable
- Protects from dust and crumbs
- Inexpensive protection
- Fit snugly when sized properly
Cons of keyboard covers
- Can make keys less responsive
- Traps heat in laptops
- Adds thickness over keys
- Need to be sized specifically to model
- Can be tricky to install correctly
Overall, a keyboard cover is a handy form of insurance against spills. Just make sure to get one that fits your specific keyboard properly while not inhibiting typing.
Average cost to repair water damaged keyboards
If your efforts to dry out and restore your soggy keyboard aren’t successful, how much will it set you back to have it repaired or replaced? Here are some ballpark costs:
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
| DIY keyboard replacement | $20 – $75 |
| Mail-in keyboard repair service | $60 – $150 |
| Bulk keyboard restoration service | $30 – $80 per keyboard |
| Apple in-store keyboard replacement | $120 – $370 parts & labor |
| New keyboard replacement | $50 – $150+ |
Costs vary widely based on keyboard model, extent of water damage, and who performs the repair. But expect to spend at least $50 – $150+ to get a damaged keyboard repaired or replaced.
Can you fix water damaged keyboards yourself?
With the right skills, tools, and components, repairing a water damaged keyboard DIY-style is certainly possible. Here’s an overview of the DIY keyboard repair process:
- Obtain new keyboard or parts – Match your keyboard model and connector type.
- Watch repair video guides – For your specific laptop or keyboard.
- Use proper tools – Small Phillips and TORX screwdrivers, tweezers, etc.
- Disassemble carefully – Keep track of screws and connectors.
- Inspect and clean parts – Clean corrosion, debris with alcohol.
- Replace damaged components – Swap any visibly damaged parts.
- Reassemble and reconnect – Refer to disassembly steps.
- Test keys and function – Make sure all inputs work before reinstalling.
The process requires diligence, care, and patience. But repairing your own keyboard can save money compared to professional repair. Just be sure to use the correct tools and follow video guides closely.
Pros of DIY keyboard repair
- Costs significantly less than pro repair
- No wait time for a repair shop
- Satisfaction of doing it yourself
- Can thoroughly clean all components
- Tailor the fix to exact issues
Cons of DIY keyboard repair
- Requires technical skill and finesse
- Potential to damage components if rushed
- May void keyboard or device warranty
- Some keyboards are very difficult to disassemble
- Troubleshooting complex issues can be tricky
DIY repair is a smart option for the mechanically inclined, but reaches limits with serious liquid damage or challenging construction.
Should you try the rice trick for a wet keyboard?
You may have heard suggestions to simply bury or pack a wet keyboard in rice to try and draw out moisture. Here’s an honest look at whether this “rice trick” works or not:
- Rice can help absorb some surface moisture from external keyboard areas.
- But rice does not significantly impact interior moisture or corrosion issues.
- Rice particles can actually get lodged and create issues inside a keyboard.
- Silica gel packs absorb more moisture than rice and don’t leave residue.
- Disassembly is still required to thoroughly dry internal keyboard components.
So while the rice trick seems like a quick fix, it tends to provide only minimal benefit for a seriously wet keyboard. You still need to open up the keyboard and manually dry all affected components to give it the best chance of working again.
Can you prevent water damage to a keyboard?
While there’s no way to make a keyboard 100% impervious to water damage, you can take these preventative measures to dramatically reduce the risks:
- Use a keyboard cover or skin that seals the surface.
- Position your keyboard away from edges where spills occur.
- Never eat or drink directly over your keyboard.
- Close lids on drinks before placing them nearby.
- Keep a dry towel handy to wipe spills immediately.
- Clean around and under keys periodically to clear debris.
- Consider a modern chiclet or gaming keyboard for better drainage.
- Unplug your keyboard if away for extended periods.
With vigilance and some smart practices, you can avoid the vast majority of accidental liquid damage incidents that can ruin an otherwise healthy keyboard.
Conclusion
Liquid spills don’t need to be a death knell for a beloved keyboard. By understanding what causes water damage, taking quick action, thoroughly drying internal parts, removing corrosion, and making repairs, it’s often possible to resuscitate a soaked keyboard. Prevention is also key, using keyboard covers, positioning intelligently, and keeping drinks away. While not every water situation can be avoided, the steps in this guide will maximize your keyboard’s chances of survival should the worst happen.