Extreme cold can wreak havoc on electronics. From smartphones to laptops, the sensitive circuitry and components inside our devices don’t always react well to frigid temperatures. Anyone who has ever had a phone suddenly shut off or refuse to turn on in cold weather knows how temperature can quickly disable our tech.
But why exactly does this happen, and is cold really all that bad for our electronics? Below we’ll explore what happens inside devices when the mercury plummets, look at which components are most vulnerable, and provide tips for protecting your tech on cold days.
How Cold Temperatures Affect Electronics
Extreme cold temperatures can cause damage to electronics through thermal cycling and moisture condensation. Thermal cycling refers to the expansion and contraction of materials as temperatures fluctuate. As materials heat up, they expand, and as they cool down, they contract. This repeated process of heating and cooling can lead to stress fatigue and material failure over time. Rapid temperature changes amplify these effects.
Cold temperatures can also lead to moisture condensation when warm, humid air comes into contact with cold surfaces. This condensation can corrode electronic circuits and components, potentially causing shorts or connection failures. Moisture can also promote dendritic growth, where metal ions dissolved in water create branch-like deposits on circuit boards that can bridge connections and cause electrical malfunctions.
To prevent damage, electronics should be allowed to warm gradually to avoid thermal shock and be kept dry to prevent condensation issues. Proper insulation, moisture control, and gradual temperature changes are key to protecting devices from cold weather extremes.
LCD Screens
LCD screens contain liquid crystals that are sensitive to temperature changes. When exposed to cold temperatures, the liquid crystals can contract and potentially sustain pixel damage [1]. The crystals move more sluggishly in the cold, resulting in a slower response time and less accurate color representation.
LCD screens also rely on LED or CCFL backlights to illuminate the image. These backlights can be affected by the cold. LED backlights are more resistant, but CCFL backlights can exhibit slower turn-on times or even failure below freezing temperatures [2]. The liquid crystal fluid itself can also thicken and freeze in extreme cold.
To prevent issues, LCD screens intended for low temperature operation should be selected. Heating elements can also help regulate the temperature of the display. Most consumer LCD screens have an operating range down to 0°C (32°F) before exhibiting issues [3].
Batteries
Cold temperatures can have a significant impact on battery performance and lifespan. At lower temperatures, a battery’s capacity and ability to hold a charge is reduced (Jacob Buchholz, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-buchholz-830805253). This is because the chemical reactions within the battery slow down in cold conditions, limiting the current that can be delivered. There is also an increase in internal resistance at cold temperatures, making it more difficult for electricity to flow.
Exposure to cold causes faster degradation of batteries over time (Postcard from (Base Camp of) the Top of the World, https://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Tibet/Everest/blog-502994.html). The increased resistance generates more heat within the battery, putting strain on the internal components. The electrolyte can also become more viscous, further inhibiting internal chemical reactions. This accelerated degradation shortens the overall lifespan of batteries when frequently used in cold environments.
To mitigate these effects, lithium-ion batteries often use internal heaters and insulation to regulate their temperature. Maintaining an optimal temperature range can maximize battery capacity and longevity in cold weather. Proper handling and storage is also important, such as avoiding fully charging or discharging batteries when cold.
Circuits and Solder
According to McLPCB, the typical FR-4 PCB should remain intact to around -50°C before experiencing brittle cracks in the material (https://www.mclpcb.com/blog/low-temp-pcb/). At very cold temperatures below -40°C, the solder joints and component leads become prone to cracking and detaching from thermal contraction. As an electronics.stackexchange user notes, warming the PCB to maintain an acceptable temperature is key to preventing cold weather damage (https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/87161/warming-pcb-in-a-low-temperature-environment). Insulating the board helps minimize the energy required for heating. Paying attention to solder joints and attachments can prevent detached leads and malfunctions.
Data Storage
Electronic data storage devices like hard disk drives and solid state drives (SSDs) can experience issues in cold temperatures due to condensation and slowed access speeds.[1] When exposed to extremely cold conditions, moisture in the air can condense onto the components and lead to internal corrosion or electrical shorts. This has the potential to permanently damage the drive and result in data loss. Even in less extreme conditions, colder temperatures cause mechanical components like spinning disks and moving heads to operate more slowly. This reduces the overall access speeds and data transfer rates of the drive.
For traditional hard disk drives, it’s recommended to avoid using them below freezing temperatures if possible. If an HDD must be used in the cold, moisture protection and insulation helps protect it from condensation issues. Letting the drive acclimate and warm up before operation also minimizes problems with condensation. For SSDs, the temperature thresholds are lower but moisture can still cause corrosion of electrical contacts or short circuits on the components. SSDs may have built-in temperature protections that limit writes or throttles performance when too cold for reliable operation. Overall, electronic data storage devices slow down and become more prone to damage as temperature drops.
[1] https://www.patents-review.com/a/20230176634-management-composite-cold-temperature-data-storage-devices.html
Touch Screens
Touch screens can become less responsive or fail to work properly in cold temperatures. This is because the screen becomes contracted and rigid in the cold, making it less sensitive to touch inputs1. The contraction can change the calibration of the screen so that it does not properly detect finger touches.
In addition, moisture from humidity in the air can condense and freeze on the screen in cold conditions. The layer of frost or ice interferes with the screen’s capacitive properties, preventing it from responding accurately to touch2. Trying to operate a frozen touch screen can also lead to damage of the screen’s surface over time.
Users in cold environments may need to take steps to insulate and protect touch screen devices. Special cold-resistant screens or touch stylus pens can sometimes help maintain usability. But ultimately, severe or prolonged cold exposure can disrupt the functionality of most touch screen electronics.
Real-World Effects
There are many anecdotal stories of electronics failing or malfunctioning after being exposed to cold temperatures. For example, some people report their smartphone battery draining faster or the touchscreen becoming unresponsive after leaving the phone in a cold car overnight 1. However, actual failure rates due to cold are relatively low for most modern consumer electronics.
One study by SquareTrade analyzed failure rates for over 50,000 smartphones and found only 3.6% were due to cold weather damage 2. Most of the cold-related failures occurred when devices were left in subzero temperatures below -4°F (-20°C) for an extended period. Research by Western Data Recovery found that failure rates start to increase below -22°F (-30°C), but even down to -40°F (-40°C) the failure rate was only 7% 3.
So while cold temperatures can sometimes cause issues, modern devices are surprisingly resilient. As long as electronics aren’t left for long periods in extreme subzero conditions, failures are relatively rare.
Preventing Cold Weather Damage
There are a few key steps you can take to prevent cold temperatures from damaging your electronics:
Allow electronics to warm up before use – One of the most important things is to let your device warm up gradually to room temperature before turning it on or using it. Taking a cold device from freezing temps into a warm room and immediately powering up can lead to condensation and water damage. Give it at least a few hours to come to room temperature.
Use protective casings or insulation – If you need to use electronics in cold conditions, putting them in an insulated case can help moderate the temperature change and fluctuations. You can also use hand warmers or other small heating elements in the case to keep the interior warmer. Water-resistant and waterproof cases also provide protection against snow and moisture.
Conclusion
In summary, cold temperatures can negatively impact many components of electronic devices. LCD screens can suffer reduced performance and image ghosting. Batteries lose capacity and drain faster. Circuits and solder joints contract, resulting in broken connections. Data storage units are susceptible to data loss and corruption. Touch screens can become disabled or unresponsive.
To protect your electronics from cold weather damage, keep devices insulated and avoid sudden temperature changes. Let gadgets come to room temperature before turning on. Keep batteries charged and devices dry. Use weatherproof cases for prolonged exposure. With proper precautions, your electronics can withstand frigid conditions.
