Dry out your keyboard on your laptop without damaging your laptop
Edited by Jerry Rivers, Eng, Eulalee, Charmed and 12 others
Accidentally spilling liquid on your Desktop Keyboard or Laptop can happen to anyone. Yes, that dreaded spill on your keyboard! Your first reaction, just before you start sobbing, might may be, "Oh no! Now I have to buy a whole new keyboard!" Or even worse, a new Laptop!
All is not lost. Before surrendering to that last resort, try the following steps.
- 1 Instructions
- 2 Tips, Tricks & Warnings
- 3 Questions and Answers
- 3.1 I spilled coffee (no sugar or anything else in it) on my keyboard.
- 3.2 My whole screen looks like something has been spilled in it?
- 3.3 I have an Inspiron that I spilled water on. I need immediate help, as it won't power on correctly.
- 3.4 Cleansing liquid was spilled over keyboard.what's best to do?
- 4 Comments
Instructions
- 1Remove all external hardware. Remove the Laptop's battery and place it in a static-free bag.Immediately unplug your computer from the electricity supply or turn off your Laptop.
- 2Turn your Desktop Keyboard or the whole Laptop upside down.
- 3Take note of your keyboard layout (take a photo with your Mobile or draw a layout).
- 4Insulate yourself to prevent Static Electric Discharge (SED).
- Avoid being on a rug or carpet; there is greater risk of being subject to static electricity.
- Use an insulator wristband or glove to prevent any SEDs.
- 5Use a normal hair dryer and set it on COOL air setting or use a fan to blow air inside the keyboard area.
- 6If the liquid spilled is soda, tea or any sticky liquid, please follow these steps:
- Remove all wet keys (pry them up using a flat-head screwdriver).
- Use a cotton swab and a detergent cleanser for those sticky keys.(Cleansers are available in most electronics stores).
- You may have to dismantle the Laptop case if you cannot remove all the liquid. Thoroughly rinse the removed keys, let them dry for at least 2-5 hours, depending on your atmospheric temperature and humidity.
- Follow your keyboard photo or drawn layout, push each key back in place. Don't use force, the keys should snap into place with a light nudge.
Tips, Tricks & Warnings
- Turn the power off, or shut down the laptop/computer AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
- You should start the drying out actions immediately. Time is of essence. If dried in time, damage will be minimal.
- If you are unable to boot your Laptop after re-assembling your keyboard keys, you should seek help from an authorized IT workshop.
- Be sure your keyboard is thoroughly dry before you re-assemble it.
- Never use heat to dry out your computer keyboard or Laptop.
- There is a virtual on-screen keyboard at Control Panel > Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center, On-screen Keyboard that can be used if you have a few non-functioning keys after your computer is re-assembled, just until you can replace your keyboard.
Questions and Answers
I spilled coffee (no sugar or anything else in it) on my keyboard.
At first it wouldn't turn off then it went blank. It turned on by itself twice, but will not let me use the keyboard and turns off by itself. Its been a week or so.
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My whole screen looks like something has been spilled in it?
What can I do to fix the problem. I have tried: Rice and blow drying it. I think it was caused by: Don't really know what could have been spilled in it
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I have an Inspiron that I spilled water on. I need immediate help, as it won't power on correctly.
I accidentally spilled water on it and shut it off. I really wanted to dry it out so I used a leaf blower. I am currently in a very hot region, and I feel the weather may be playing a role. I have tried: Leaf blower, rice, towel, hairdryer and vacuum chamber
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Cleansing liquid was spilled over keyboard.what's best to do?
Some buttons operate some not.I need to dry out probably but I;m afraid it;s dried up beneath. That I'm not sure if I can do something with the hair dryer since it's dried up(the liquid)and sticky since it happened yesterday.maybe I put some lighter flame close?
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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
Comments
Article Info
Categories : Hardware
Recent edits by: Nuance, Quaresma387, aprildawn