Why aren’t laptops waterproof? (explained 2023)

Pure water does not threaten electronic devices, regardless of whether the device is operational.

Submerging your electronic device in pure water is possible without damaging it because pure water is a poor conductor and does not significantly impact electronic devices.

To clarify, pure water refers to distilled water found in supermarkets or laboratories free of impurities.

Water that is not pure has the potential to damage devices when they are turned on.

Water that contains minerals, dirt, and other impurities are conductive, albeit not perfectly.

This conductivity can result in short circuits, leading to an excessive current flow in areas where it should not be, causing damage to electronic components.

If the device is turned off, there is no danger of injury, provided the board is free of contaminants and dry before powering it back on.

Apple, in particular, is unlikely to produce a rugged laptop design as they prioritize form and appearance over functionality.

Rugged laptops are not known for aesthetics and are often seen as unattractive.

Laptops face three significant challenges regarding water resistance: heat, space, and ingress point count.

Laptops are often designed to be thin and light, which requires either low-power hardware for passive cooling or an active cooling system that makes water resistance more challenging.

In addition, many gaps in a laptop must be sealed to make it water-resistant, including the keyboard, ports, and speakers.

The design of the laptop and keyboard or many ports or could be costly for companies to make waterproof laptops. That’s the reason why aren’t laptops waterproof.

Yes, laptops are designed to be water-resistant and can withstand minor spills.

However, submerging your laptop in water or exposing it to high humidity is not advisable.

Laptops are equipped with a sealed keyboard and trackpad, which prevents liquid from penetrating the device.

The computer will continue functioning normally if the liquid does not reach the internal components.

The keyboard is the most susceptible area of a laptop to damage as it is frequently exposed to various liquids such as water, coffee, soda, and other beverages.

It’s crucial to ensure your keyboard remains clean and dry to avoid any harm or corrosion from liquid exposure.

In case of a water spill on your laptop, it is essential to act promptly.

1st, switch off, unplug your laptop, and remove the battery and other detachable parts.

Dry the outside of your laptop with a towel to prevent any electric current from flowing through the water and damaging your device.

2nd step is to extract any wet, removable parts and towel-dry them.

You can use a vacuum cleaner or a compressed air duster to eliminate any remaining water inside your laptop.

Additionally, you can clean out small crevices that may have been impacted by water by using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Finally, reassemble your laptop and plug it back in, Power it on to check if it’s working correctly or not.

The rice trick has been a popular myth for years, but unfortunately, it does not work.

Putting a laptop in rice can dry out moisture and fix water damage.

However, this is not true, as the rice trick needs to address the underlying water damage problem.

At best, it may only dry out the surface of your laptop, giving the illusion that it has been repaired.

Therefore, relying on something other than the rice trick is recommended to fix a water-damaged laptop.

Gaming laptops are not designed to be spill-proof; therefore, they are susceptible to damage from liquid spills.

These laptops are typically intended to be used on a flat surface, and moving them around while the liquid is nearby increases the risk of spillage.

If liquid does come into contact with the keyboard, it can seep in and cause damage to the laptop’s internal components.

When discussing the water resistance of electronic devices, we look at their Ingress Protection (IP) rating.

The Toughbook 31 laptop is currently the most water-resistant commercially available laptop, with an IP rating of 65.

The IP rating consists of two numerical scales.

1st digit indicates the protection against solid particles, while the second digit indicates the protection against liquids.

The Toughbook 31 has a rating of IP65, which means it has the highest possible dust protection rating of 6 and a water protection rating of 5.

The level-6 dust protection ensures no solid particles can enter the laptop and disrupt its performance.

The level-5 liquid protection means it can withstand water jets from any direction, making it weatherproof.

However, it is essential to note that it is not submersible in water more profound than a meter.

If it were level-6 or higher, it could handle more powerful water jets or even complete submersion.

While Toughbooks are the most water-resistant laptops available, they are still not fully waterproof.

This means that they cannot be completely submerged in water without the risk of damage.

However, for now, they are the best option for those who need a laptop that can withstand exposure to water and other liquids.

1st, ensure your laptop has a sturdy waterproof seal around its edges and keyboard.

2nd, ensure that your laptop has a comprehensive warranty to cover water damage.

Avoid using your laptop in damp conditions, and avoid any water sources, such as rain, bathtubs, or puddles.

With the assistance of a waterproof laptop case, you can provide an additional layer of protection to your device against potential damage from water.

At present, HP does not provide any entirely waterproof laptops.

However, some HP laptops may have a certain level of water resistance or spill-proof design to prevent damage from accidental spills or exposure to moisture.

At this time, Dell does not provide any waterproof laptops.

However, their laptops may have some level of water resistance or spill-proofing, but they can only be partially waterproof.

Different liquids have different effects on laptops.

Water is the least damaging, while sugary and alcoholic drinks can leave a sticky, corrosive residue that can harm the laptop’s hardware over time.

Therefore, cleaning up the liquid spill as quickly as possible is essential to mitigate any damage.

If you prefer to fix the laptop yourself, here’s what you should do next.

Disassembling some laptops, such as Microsoft’s Surface line, can be extremely difficult for the average user and could result in irreparable damage.

In such cases, your only option may be to send your laptop to the manufacturer for repair or replacement.

However, you can take steps to mitigate the damage in the meantime.

Start by draining the liquid as described earlier and wiping it off.

Then, place the laptop on a dry surface with good ventilation.

While this may not solve the problem entirely, it could buy you time to repair it professionally.

If you are curious about how easy or difficult it is to improve your laptop, you can refer to iFixit’s repairability scores as a helpful resource.

Although some laptops claim to be “spill-proof” or “water-resistant,” they are not waterproof.

However, rugged laptops are more likely to survive spills than other laptops.

It’s important to note that there is currently no such thing as a completely waterproof laptop.

If you’re concerned about spilling liquid on your laptop, you can use a laptop stand to raise it off your desk and use an external keyboard.

While most keyboards are not waterproof, using an external keyboard will prevent liquid from damaging your laptop.

Even without an official rating, keyboards can be spill-resistant if you quickly clean them up.

Mechanical keyboards are the most likely to survive spills since the switches under each key are less likely to break when wet, and the plate that protects the PCB is more durable than a membrane layer.

The first step is disconnecting your keyboard from your computer or any power source to avoid electrical damage.

After disconnecting, dry the top of the keycaps using a dry cloth.

To access the water that might have seeped under the keycaps, remove them carefully using a keycap puller instead of fingers.

Using a microfiber cloth, wipe up any water present under the keycaps.

Avoid using paper towels as they might leave tiny particles in the switches.

For hard-to-reach areas, a cotton swab can come in handy.

Place the keyboard upside down on a towel in a sunny area, allowing any remaining water to drip for approximately 48 hours.

There is no need to use rice.

Once you are sure there is no water remaining, plug in the keyboard and test its functionality using an online key tester.

If all keys are functional, put the keycaps back on, and you’re good to go.

However, if water droplets are left, wait another 24 hours before plugging in the keyboard again.

Choose a suitable workspace.

Make sure you have enough room to cut and tape.

Look for a sturdy and empty table in a well-lit room.

Cut transparent polyethene sheets.

Measure the dimensions of your laptop and cut three sheets of polyethene a few inches longer than your laptop.

You can get these sheets from hardware stores or online.

Secure the sheets over your laptop. Place the sheets on your laptop surfaces and trim any excess using scissors.

Use duct tape to attach the sheets to the outer sides of your computer, covering the keyboard and trackpad and leaving the fan uncovered.

Ensure not to cover any ports or openings on the sides of the laptop.

Before securing the sheet over the keyboard, press on it to make it fit closely above the keys.

Cover the laptop edges with a 40 mil PVC liner.

Measure the length and width of your laptop’s outer edges and cut four curved pieces of PVC liner.

Use duct tape to attach them to the edges of your computer, only taping them on top to allow for easy opening.

You can buy PVC liners from hardware stores or online.

Create plugs for the ports using custom earplug putty.

Use customizable earplug putty, available online, to make custom watertight plugs for the ports and openings on the sides of your laptop.

Make a neoprene sleeve. Buy a swath of neoprene fabric online and cut two sheets slightly longer than your laptop.

Tape them together, leaving only one opening along a shorter side.

You can use adhesive velcro strips to create a closure or sew the sides together using a thick needle and water-resistant thread.

To prevent spills from damaging your laptop, it’s best to keep liquids and foods away whenever possible.

If you must have beverages near your laptop, choose cups with covers or keep them at least 30cm away.

If you spill any liquids on your laptop, unplug the AC adapter and turn off your laptop immediately.

Please turn it back on once it is disassembled, cleaned, or taken to a repair shop.

If you’re experienced with electronics, you may be able to disassemble the computer yourself, but if not, it’s best to take it to a professional.

Before taking your laptop in for repair, wipe off any excess liquid with a soft, lint-free cloth and let the laptop drain upside down for at least 12 hours.

Laptops are expensive machines, so be cautious and seek professional help.

Like most people, you probably use your laptop computer every day. You take it with you to work, to school, and on vacation.

But even though laptops are designed to be portable, they’re not indestructible.

One of the most common ways laptops are damaged by spilled water.

Water can cause serious damage to a laptop.

It can short-circuit the sensitive components inside, causing the computer to stop working.

In some cases, water damage can be irreparable.