Spilled some water on my laptop kb, now some keys don't work

eLiu

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2001
6,407
1
0
I spilled some water on the keyboard. Powered it off & wiped off/shook out what I could & let it dry overnight.

Seemed dry today so I powered it on, and some of the keys don't work. No other observed issues.

Is the keyboard screwed? Anything I can do besides buy a new keyboard from dell and/or send it in for repairs? Cheaper solutions are obviously preferable here, lol.

Thanks,
-Eric
 

xSauronx

Lifer
Jul 14, 2000
19,582
4
81
probably screwed, but you can try 2 things (but youre probably screwed)

1: contact relay cleaner. its an electrical cleaning solvent in a can, spray the fuck out of the keys.

2: remove each key and clean it with alcohol and a q-tip

this worked for me before a long time ago...mostly. i had a keyboard I LOVE LOVE LOVED and spilled a coke on it...got everything working but the spacebar :(
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
How old is it? For older models you can pick up cheap keyboards on eBay. I looked up keyboards for my old Dell Inspiron 6000 (gave it to sister-in-law, and in short order it is missing 3 keys). Used but good condition starts at just under $15 shipped, and new ones start at around $25 shipped.
 

eLiu

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2001
6,407
1
0
laptop is a dell inspiron 15, so it's pretty new. New kb goes for like $40 on ebay; refurbished for $11ish from Dell. So replacement of the kb won't be so bad.

Could someone provide a link to electronic cleaner? I googled and mostly came across products that cost like $100+, which is more than a new keyboard, lol.

Also with any luck, the problem will solve itself... as the 'dead' keys are working intermittently now, lol.
 

Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
13,923
2
81
laptop is a dell inspiron 15, so it's pretty new. New kb goes for like $40 on ebay; refurbished for $11ish from Dell. So replacement of the kb won't be so bad.

Could someone provide a link to electronic cleaner? I googled and mostly came across products that cost like $100+, which is more than a new keyboard, lol.

Also with any luck, the problem will solve itself... as the 'dead' keys are working intermittently now, lol.

Dry it out for longer. I have had this happen before and I just let the computer air out for a couple of days and two weeks later, they magically work. Its amazing what modern day laptops can go through and still survive. My laptop has been soaked wet in a huge puddle from a storm for hours and I still managed to salvage it after a few weeks of drying. Of course, people who immediately turn on their laptops after they spill something are stupid.
 

xSauronx

Lifer
Jul 14, 2000
19,582
4
81
laptop is a dell inspiron 15, so it's pretty new. New kb goes for like $40 on ebay; refurbished for $11ish from Dell. So replacement of the kb won't be so bad.

Could someone provide a link to electronic cleaner? I googled and mostly came across products that cost like $100+, which is more than a new keyboard, lol.

Also with any luck, the problem will solve itself... as the 'dead' keys are working intermittently now, lol.
buy that stuff at a local hardware store, its 4 or 5 bucks a can, if that. lowes, home depot, ace, a mom and pop shop...they should all have something

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/productdetails.aspx?sku=998033236&source=GoogleBase

thats an example, but still, it should be a cinch to find electrical contact cleaner locally.
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
Take several layers of paper towels and sandwich them between the screen and the keyboard. Close the laptop, and turn it upside-down (lid on the bottom). Leave it for another day or two in a dry environment (but not directly in the sun). See what happens.

You can also give a hair dryer a shot, though be careful not to overheat it.