We’ve all been there before; one minute you’re immersed in an online game, and then suddenly your keyboard becomes so wet it stops working. What can you do to fix a wet gaming keyboard? Fortunately, there are steps you can take to dry it out and get back to gaming in no time.
Removing The As Much Water As Possible
The first priority is removing as much moisture as possible. To do this, turn the keyboard upside down, shaking it gently and dispersing drops of water. Use a paper towel to absorb any remaining water and then, open up the keyboard – if possible – and use the towel to lightly dab the circuit board and any other exposed components to absorb moisture.
Using A Household Hairdryer
Using a hairdryer to further dry out your keyboard can be helpful. Start by setting the hairdryer to a low heat setting and blowing on any exposed components and the circuit board. With the hairdryer, focus on the same areas you dabbed with the paper towel, from a distance of around 30 centimeters. Don’t worry if the keyboard gets slightly warm; this is quite normal.
Using Rice
After carefully drying the keyboard, you can use something like uncooked rice to absorb the moisture that might still be lurking inside. Place the keyboard, keys facing down, into a bowl full of uncooked white rice, leaving it covered for up to 48 hours. The rice should eventually absorb any remaining water that wasn’t removed with the towel or hairdryer.
Using A Vacuum Cleaner
The use of a vacuum cleaner can also be beneficial. Using a soft brush attachment, lightly brush over the surface of the keyboard, taking care to remove any leftover rice or other debris that might be stuck in its grooves. The vacuum cleaner should also be able to help remove any excess water or moisture living in the circuit board’s pores.
Cleaning The Keyboard
After the keyboard has been thoroughly dried, it’s important to clean it. Start by removing any keys that are still attached, being careful not to bend the plastic pins underneath. Then, use a lightly dampened cloth to wipe the surface of the keyboard. After it’s been wiped down, let the keyboard dry for a few hours before reattaching the keys.
Reconnecting The Keyboard
Once the keyboard has been cleaned, dried and the keys reattached, you’re ready to reconnect the keyboard to your computer. Before doing so, make sure that any water that was in the USB plug has been removed as this can cause serious damage to your computer. If the port appears dry, plug it in and turn your computer back on.
Testing The Keyboard
If everything worked, you should be able to get back to gaming. Before jumping in, however, it’s a good idea to test out the keyboard. Try typing several sentences or playing the game with the keyboard to make sure it is working correctly. If it’s not, try repeating the steps above and make sure the keyboard is completely dry before reconnecting it.
