Liquid spills on keyboards are a common occurrence that can lead to keyboard malfunctions or damage. Studies show that over 60% of laptop repairs are related to liquid damage [1]. With keyboards containing intricate electronic components and circuitry, the introduction of liquids can cause electrical shorts, corrosion, or full failure of the keyboard.
When water or another liquid gets inside a keyboard, immediate action is required to try to mitigate damage and recover full keyboard functionality. While quick reactions can sometimes save a keyboard, liquid exposure can also lead to permanent damage requiring keyboard replacement. This guide covers what to do when a spill occurs, troubleshooting steps if your keyboard acts erratically afterwards, and how to avoid spills in the future.
What Happens When Liquid Gets Inside
When liquid gets inside a keyboard, it can cause major problems by shorting out the circuits and electronics. This is because most liquids are conductive, meaning they can carry an electrical current. Water, coffee, soda, etc. can all conduct electricity to some degree.
According to experts on Reddit, water resistance has come a long way in handheld devices, but keyboard electronics remain susceptible to liquid damage. Unlike touchscreens and solid state drives, keyboard components like membranes and circuits boards are more exposed and vulnerable.
So when liquid penetrates inside, it can create immediate shorts, blocking or redirecting electrical currents in the keyboard circuits. This interferes with the keyboard’s ability to properly register key presses and input information to the computer.
Over time, corrosion can also occur as liquids like soda or coffee interact with the metal contacts and components. Corrosion degrades and eats away at the circuits and connections within the keyboard, leading to permanent damage or failure.
The longer the liquid stays inside, the more potential it has to short and corrode the sensitive electronics. That’s why quick action is necessary after any keyboard spill.
Immediate Steps After a Spill
If you’ve accidentally spilled liquid on your keyboard, it’s important to take immediate action to try to minimize the damage. Here are some key steps to follow right after a spill occurs:
First, unplug the keyboard from the computer or device it is connected to. This will help prevent shorts and further damage from occurring while liquid is still inside (Source).
Next, turn the keyboard upside down to allow the liquid to drain out through any openings or crevices. Let it drain this way for at least a few minutes, or until you no longer see liquid dripping out (Source).
Dab up any pools of liquid on the keyboard using a dry paper towel or cloth. Try to soak up as much as you can, but avoid shaking or squeezing the keyboard as this may push the liquid further inside.
Leaving the keyboard upside down for 24 hours or more allows any remaining liquid to fully evaporate before attempting to use it again. This helps prevent shorts and damage when power is restored (Source).
Cleaning and Drying the Keyboard
After shutting down and unplugging the keyboard, the next step is to thoroughly clean and dry it. Start by disassembling the keyboard if possible. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for how to properly take it apart.
Clean all of the internal parts with isopropyl alcohol, which helps displace moisture. According to Dygma, you can use a high percentage isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol to clean any affected electronics. Use cotton swabs or a microfiber cloth to gently wipe down each piece.
Allow the parts to air dry or use a hair dryer on a cool setting to speed up drying, as recommended by SteelSeries. Hold the hair dryer 6-10 inches away and blow the cool air over the parts until completely dry. Avoid getting the parts too hot.
Be patient and let everything fully dry before reassembling. This helps prevent any remaining moisture from shorting out the electronics when power is restored.
Testing the Keyboard
After leaving the keyboard to thoroughly dry for at least 24 hours, the next step is to reconnect it and test if it is functioning properly again.
Reconnect the keyboard to the computer or device it was paired with. For wireless keyboards, this may involve inserting new batteries. For wired keyboards, plug the connector cable back in.
Check the responsiveness of all the keys by opening a text document and tapping every key. Make sure each keypress registers and types the correct letter or symbol. Pay special attention to keys around the edges where liquid may have seeped in.
Test all other keyboard functions as well. Try using the space bar, shift keys, ctrl/alt/command keys, arrow keys, delete key, and number keys. Verify that shortcuts and special characters work correctly too.
If certain keys or functions still seem unresponsive, try pressing them repeatedly to dislodge any remaining moisture. Aggressively tapping on the keyboard may help loosen stuck keys.
If issues persist, refer to the troubleshooting section below for further steps. But if the keyboard appears to be working normally again, it should be safe to resume regular use.
Troubleshooting Issues
If certain keys are not working properly or typing the wrong characters after drying out your keyboard, there may be some remaining moisture or corrosion causing electrical issues. Try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Inspect the keyboard closely under good lighting and look for any moisture or corrosion on the affected keys or circuits.
- Use a can of compressed air to try and blow out any remaining droplets under the keys.
- Use isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab to gently clean the contacts on the problematic keys.
- For keys typing the wrong character, go into your keyboard settings and reset the keyboard to factory defaults.
- Try disconnecting and reconnecting the keyboard, or plugging it into a different USB port if it is externally connected.
- If certain keys remain unresponsive, the switch mechanism may be damaged and need replacing. Consider taking it to a repair shop.
If you are experiencing intermittent connection issues with a wireless keyboard, try replacing the batteries. Also check for interference from other wireless devices. Position the keyboard receiver and device closer together if the connection seems weak.
In some cases, water damage may have corroded electrical contacts and traces within the keyboard, requiring component-level repair or full keyboard replacement. If basic troubleshooting does not resolve the issues, seek professional repair or replace the damaged keyboard.
Permanent Water Damage
If too much time passes before drying out the keyboard, permanent water damage can occur. The moisture causes corrosion of the electronic components and circuits inside the keyboard over time. This leads to issues like sticking keys, keys not working at all, or keyboard failing to respond. According to experts, corrosion can begin in as little as 72 hours if moisture is left inside the keyboard.
At this point, professional repair may be required, which can get expensive. Costs typically range from $50 to over $100 for keyboard replacement or repair from a specialist. In many cases, it is more cost effective to simply replace the entire keyboard. For example, Lenovo quotes $149 for an in-warranty keyboard replacement on a ThinkPad laptop according to this source. Replacing the keyboard yourself is an option, but requires skill and proper tools.
To avoid permanent water damage, it’s critical to act quickly after a spill to dry out the keyboard thoroughly. Leaving moisture inside will likely lead to corrosion over time and the need for repairs or full replacement.
Preventing Future Spills
There are a few key ways to help prevent liquid spills on your keyboard in the future:
Use a spill-resistant keyboard. Many modern keyboards are designed with spill drainage holes and membranes to help prevent liquid from getting to the internal components. Look for keyboards advertised as “spill-resistant” when purchasing a new one. An example is the Logitech Washable Keyboard (LinkedIn).
Keep liquids away from your workspace. Don’t place drinks right next to your computer. Use a separate drink holder or table instead. Position your keyboard away from the edge of your desk where a spill is more likely. Maintaining a tidy workspace can also prevent accidental spills of any kind.
Use keyboard covers or skins. A cheap plastic cover can help prevent liquid seeping into the cracks and crevices. Just make sure to get one that is thin enough to still allow you to type normally.
Handle liquids carefully around electronics. Always use containers with lids for beverages at your desk. Pick up your drink with care. Wipe up small spills immediately. Take care when watering office plants not to splash your devices.
By taking a few sensible precautions, you can enjoy your drinks while avoiding damaging your keyboard and electronics.
Alternatives if Keyboard Won’t Work
If your keyboard is beyond repair due to water damage, you have a couple alternatives to continue using your computer:
External USB Keyboard
An external USB keyboard can be plugged into your computer to replace the built-in keyboard. Most modern computers have USB ports to connect an external keyboard. Choose a wired or wireless keyboard based on your needs. A good quality keyboard with similar layout to your original can make this a seamless transition. External keyboards start around $10-15 for basic models, or more for gaming keyboards with extra features. Just plug in the USB and your computer should instantly recognize the new keyboard for typing. This is the simplest fix that lets you continue using the computer normally without the built-in keyboard.
Onscreen Keyboard
Your computer also has a virtual onscreen keyboard that can be enabled for typing without a physical keyboard. Look in your Accessibility settings to turn on the onscreen keyboard feature. This puts a keyboard image on part of the screen that you can click with the mouse or trackpad to type. For laptops you may need to connect an external mouse/trackpad to use the onscreen keyboard easily. While not as fast as a regular keyboard for typing a lot of text, an onscreen keyboard works in a pinch for basic typing needs.
Summary
First actions after a spill are the most critical, so move quickly to turn the keyboard over, dry with cloth or blotting paper, and disconnect power to prevent further damage. Leaving it off and drying for at least 24-48 hours gives the best chance for liquids to evaporate before testing again. Not addressing the issue promptly risks shorts, corrosion, and permanent keyboard failure. If quick action doesn’t restore functionality, try cleaning under keys or replacing the keyboard if internal components remain wet. Finally, take precautions like water-resistant keyboards or covers to prevent this issue in the future.