Can mechanical keyboards get wet? In the last few years, mechanical keyboards have become popular again. In the last few years, mechanical keyboards have become popular again. But what exactly is a mechanical keyboard? In this article, we’ll take a look at how a mechanical keyboard works, and how you can clean them. In this blog, we also have an article about best ajazz ak33 mechanical gaming keyboard blue that you might want to read about it.
Mechanical keyboards are the keyboards that most people picture when they think about keyboards; they’re the classic-looking, sturdy keyboards from the 1980s. A more proper definition is that mechanical keyboards are made with high-quality plastic key switches underneath each of the keycaps.”
What is a mechanical keyboard?
Mechanical keyboards are a type of keyboard with key switches that are different from the standard, rubber dome keyboards. These types of keyboards are becoming more and more popular, and they are quite a step up from the standard keyboards.
Mechanical keyboards are generally considered to be better for gaming because of their precise feel. When a key is pressed, you feel a very distinct ‘click’ as opposed to the ‘buzz’ you get with rubber dome keyboards.
Mechanical keyboards have individual key switches and metal springs.”
Tom Li, author from PCGamer.com
Mechanical Keyboard’s Anatomy
Mechanical keyboards are often thought of as a high-end gaming keyboard, but they are great for pretty much any kind of typing. Because they use more precise switches, they can type at a higher speed and feel much more accurate.
They also tend to have more keys, and more of them. Mechanical keyboards generally have a total of 104 keys, which is more than many regular keyboards.
These keys are arranged into groups, and most commonly there are two rows of numbers, each row containing an equal number of keys. So if your keyboard has ten numeric keys on one side and eight function keys (like F1 through F8) on the other, it will have 16 keys overall.
You may even find some models where every single key is a button instead of just the usual standard layout. So, can mechanical keyboards get wet?
Can Mechanical Keyboards Get Wet
First and foremost, do not panic
Okay, your mechanical keyboard is damp, which isn’t a good way to start the day. What are your plans for the future? Don’t freak out.
Mechanical keyboards are more resistant to water than you may expect. We’ll lead you through the procedures to repair your keyboard, but it’ll simply take some time and patience.
The worst thing you can do in this case is panic and inadvertently damage your keyboard. Just carefully follow the procedures and everything will be OK.
Remove your keyboard from the computer
If you get water on your keyboard, unplug it immediately. Water and electricity do not mix well, and although it is rare that you would be shocked, it is best to be cautious than sorry.
Simply disconnect your keyboard from the wall socket or, if you have a detachable power connection, from the rear of your keyboard. Once disconnected, the keyboard will be left without power until everything is totally dry.
Don’t be that person who gets impatient and plugs the keyboard back in before everything has dried, since this might harm your keyboard.
Take the keycaps off
The water you spilled on your keyboard most likely fell on the keycaps and trickled between each key.
There should be some water pooling beneath the keycaps, therefore in order for things to dry properly, you’ll need to remove the keycaps and clear the water.
Removing the keycaps is a straightforward operation that is completely described in this post, but we’ll offer you a little lesson on how to accomplish it.
We prefer to use a keycap puller to remove the keycaps, but you may do it with your fingers if necessary; it’s just a little slower and little unpleasant.
When removing the keycaps, carefully pull and wiggle the keycaps off to avoid damaging the stem on the keyboard switch beneath the keycap.
It’s also a good idea to snap a photo of your keyboard before removing the keycaps so you know precisely where all of the keys are for future reference.
We can proceed to the next step once all of the keycaps have been removed.
Remove Excess Water
With all of the keycaps removed, you should have easy access to all of the water that has collected on the keyboard’s surface.
It’s time to wipe away all of the extra water so that things dry quickly and the water doesn’t soak into the keyboard’s casing.
We suggest using a microfiber cloth to clean the keyboard.
We advise a microfiber towel over a paper towel since paper particles attach to the keyboard and may jam the switches.
If you don’t have a microfiber on hand, a clean handkerchief or dishtowel can suffice. You can learn more about which cleaning chemicals are safe to use on a keyboard here.
Wipe off the keyboard’s surface until there are no more droplets or puddles of water on the surface.
Rotate the Keyboard
You’re practically done with the task at this point! All that remains is to turn the keyboard over so that any water that has found its way into the casing (if any) may escape.
Simply place the keyboard switch side down on a table in bright sunshine to let any residual water to drain and evaporate fast. You should keep it in this position for the remainder of the drying period.
Give it 48 hours
Patience, as a wise man (or woman) once remarked, is a virtue. This is the most difficult phase in my experience, yet all that remains is to wait.
It should take roughly 48 hours for the remaining water to dry, so leave the keyboard alone for two days before plugging it in.
If you have a backup keyboard, now is the time to utilize it for the next few days while your main keyboard dries.
After two days, you may go to the last phase!
Connect and test!
It’s finally time to connect in the keyboard and test whether it’s still functioning. After two days of waiting, it’s time to test whether your keyboard is completely functional again.
Give the keyboard a slight shake before plugging it back in to see whether there is any visible water left. If there is, I would leave it unplugged for another 24 hours before plugging it back in.
Whether not, plug in the keyboard and check to see if everything works! We suggest doing a brief test to ensure that all of the keys are still functional. There is an application called key-test that will enable you to quickly test every key on your keyboard.
If all of your keys operate correctly, all that’s needed to do is replace the keycaps, and you’re ready to go. Congrats!
We’ll go through what to do next if your keyboard or some of the individual keys are still not functioning.
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I’m Roselyn T., a self-proclaimed tech geek on a mission to unravel the wonders of the digital realm. As a dedicated reviewer of computers and laptops, I share my insights and expertise on the latest tech trends and innovations on my blog, workrift.com. With a passion for demystifying the tech landscape, I not only offer in-depth reviews but also provide practical tips to navigate the ever-evolving world of technology. I’m also an author of the book “AP Computer Science A Premium, 2024: 6 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Practice (Barron’s AP)” which is sold on Amazon. Join me as we explore the exciting intersection of form and function in the realm of gadgets and gear.