If you’ve ever spilled a drink on your keyboard or dropped it in water, you know how frustrating it can be when the keys become stuck or stop working properly. Drying out a wet keyboard quickly and effectively is important to avoid permanent damage. Here are some tips on how to dry out a keyboard after water exposure.
Can keyboards be fixed after water damage?
Yes, it is often possible to revive a keyboard after a spill if you act quickly. The sooner you can dry out the keyboard, the better chance you have of saving it. Water causes issues by bridging connections and corroding the contacts in a keyboard. If dried thoroughly, the keyboard has a good chance of working again.
How to dry a keyboard after water spill
Here are the steps to dry out a wet keyboard:
- Unplug the keyboard immediately. Do not leave it plugged in, as this can cause a short circuit.
- Drain out any liquid. Turn the keyboard upside down to drain out as much water as possible from between the keys.
- Use a can of compressed air to blow out water from between the keys. This helps dislodge trapped liquid.
- Absorb excess moisture with a microfiber cloth. Gently wipe the surface of the keys to soak up water.
- Use rice to draw out moisture from inside. Bury the keyboard in a bowl or bag of dry rice. The rice will act as a desiccant.
- Leave in rice for at least 24 hours. For severe spills, leave in rice for 48-72 hours.
- Remove from rice and allow to air dry. Let the keyboard sit unplugged for a day or two to allow any residual moisture to evaporate.
Step 1: Unplug the keyboard
As soon as you spill liquid on your keyboard, the first step is to immediately unplug it. Leaving it plugged into your computer risks short circuiting and electrical damage. Safely disconnect the keyboard before attempting to dry it out.
Step 2: Drain out excess liquid
Once unplugged, turn the keyboard upside down to drain out as much liquid as possible. Hold it over a sink and gently shake it to remove collected water between the keys and under switches. Try tapping each key gently as well to expel trapped fluid. Removing any pooled liquid helps shorten the drying time.
Step 3: Use compressed air to blow out moisture
After draining, use short bursts of compressed air (such as from a can or air compressor) to blow under each key and displace any remaining moisture. Tilt the keyboard during this process to remove all the dislodged water. The compressed air reaches places you can’t with cloths or paper towels.
Step 4: Absorb moisture with a microfiber cloth
Gently wipe down the keyboard keys and surface with a dry microfiber cloth to soak up water on the surface. Do not rub aggressively. Lightly dab and blot to absorb as much moisture as possible. Be patient and thorough when blotting between keys.
Step 5: Bury keyboard in uncooked rice
Next, place the keyboard in a sealable plastic bag or airtight container filled with raw, uncooked rice. Make sure the keyboard is completely covered by rice. Rice absorbs moisture well and will help draw water out from inside the keyboard. Any type of dried rice can be used.
Step 6: Leave the keyboard in rice for at least 24 hours
Keep the keyboard submerged in rice for at least 24 hours. For very wet keyboards, leaving it for 48 to 72 hours in rice provides more thorough drying. As the rice absorbs moisture, it may need to be changed out halfway through to maximize effectiveness. Letting the keyboard slowly dry in rice gives the best chance for moisture in hard to reach places evaporating.
Step 7: Allow the keyboard to air dry
After the rice treatment, remove the keyboard and allow it to air dry for 1-2 days unplugged. This gives any remaining moisture a chance to fully evaporate before using it again. The extended air drying ensures no lingering liquid is left trapped inside that could cause issues.
Tips for drying a keyboard
Here are some useful tips to help the keyboard drying process:
- The faster you can dry the keyboard, the better chance of saving it. Act quickly after a spill.
- Dismantling the keyboard can help expose internal parts, but risks damaging it.
- Use anabsorbent cloth designed for electronics, not paper towels.
- Avoid blow dryers or other heat sources which can melt keyboard parts.
- Rotate the rice halfway through for maximum moisture absorption.
- If possible, lightly dust the keyboard with electronic contact cleaner after drying.
How long does it take to dry out a keyboard?
On average, it takes 2-4 days to fully dry out a keyboard after a significant liquid spill. This includes:
- 12-24 hours buried in rice to absorb moisture
- 24-48 hours air drying afterwards
The more thorough you are about following each drying step, the faster you can recover a keyboard from water damage. For mild spills, the keyboard may dry out in 1-2 days.
Signs your keyboard is dry
Here are signs indicating your wet keyboard is fully dry and ready to use again:
- No moisture is visible on the surface or between keys
- Keycaps depress and return normally
- Electronic contact cleaner evaporates quickly
- Rice used for drying no longer absorbs moisture
- No condensation forms inside of plastic bag during rice drying
Try plugging in the keyboard to test functionality after you believe it is dry. Make sure no keys are sticky or non-responsive before regular use.
Waterproof keyboard covers
To avoid liquid damage, investing in a waterproof keyboard cover is recommended. These affordable plastic covers shield the entire keyboard from spills, splashes, and dust. They are easy to install and provide reliable protection for accident-prone users.
Types of waterproof keyboard covers:
- Flexible silicone covers mold to each key for a custom fit
- Plastic sleeves fit tightly over the full keyboard
- Adhesive covers stick directly onto the keyboard surface
Look for covers compatible with your keyboard brand and model. Carefully measure your keyboard’s dimensions before purchasing.
Does rice actually dry out keyboards?
Yes, burying a wet keyboard in rice is an effective way to absorb moisture. Rice is hydrphilic and attracts water molecules through natural absorption. As rice pulls moisture from inside the keyboard, it gradually dries the internal circuits and components.
Uncooked rice works best as the grains have more surface area. Any type of rice can be used, including white, brown, jasmine, basmati, arborio etc. Just avoid rice with added seasonings.
Rice is inexpensive, widely available, and less abrasive than other desiccant options. Just a few cups can effectively dry an entire keyboard.
Is it safe to plug in a keyboard after water spill?
No, never plug in a keyboard immediately after a liquid spill. Doing so risks electric shock and short circuiting damage. The keyboard should be completely dry before reconnecting it to a computer or power source.
Attempting to use a keyboard when moisture is still present can cause the following issues:
- Electric shock or static discharge
- Short circuits
- Corroded or damaged circuits
- Malfunctioning keys
- Non-functional keyboard
Wait until you are absolutely certain no moisture remains before re-plugging in a wet keyboard to avoid permanent electrical failure.
How do you disinfect a keyboard after drying?
To disinfect after thoroughly drying a keyboard, follow these safe cleaning methods:
- Use disinfectant wipes containing 70% isopropyl alcohol
- Spray with an electronics-safe disinfectant solution
- Wipe down each key individually with a disinfectant cloth
- Cotton swabs can reach between narrow key spaces
- Avoid moisture build up and let dry completely when done
Check the keyboard manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines before disinfecting. Test a small inconspicuous area first to ensure the cleaner will not damage the specific keyboard’s material.
If using liquid cleaners, be cautious of moisture entering the keyboard. Disinfectant sprays or wipes are ideal for keyboards.
Can you use a keyboard underwater?
Waterproof keyboards designed for underwater use do exist but are uncommon. Typical keyboards will fail quickly when submerged.
Features of waterproof keyboards include:
- Silicone protective coating
- Membrane key switches
- Sealed connections
- Washable components
- Internal rubber gaskets
These keyboards can be used at shallow depths in pools, baths, or wet environments. However, they are a niche product with limited availability.
Most standard keyboards will not function at all when continually exposed to water. The electronics will short circuit and corrode within seconds or minutes of submersion.
Conclusion
Drying out a wet keyboard quickly is crucial to avoiding permanent damage after a liquid spill. Immediately unplugging, draining excess liquid, using compressed air, and thoroughly drying with rice can restore functionality. Allow at least 24 hours buried in rice, plus another 1-2 days air drying before use. With fast action, there is a good chance of salvaging a keyboard after water exposure.
| Drying Step | Time Needed |
|---|---|
| Unplug Keyboard | Immediately |
| Drain Excess Liquid | 5 minutes |
| Use Compressed Air | 10 minutes |
| Absorb Moisture with Cloth | 15 minutes |
| Bury in Rice | 24-48 hours |
| Air Dry | 24-48 hours |