Humidity can be disastrous for laptops. It can lead to numerous problems, from condensation inside the laptop to corrosion of the internal components. In extreme cases, it can even cause the screen to become permanently damaged.
With your laptop being the precious possession it is, you want to ensure that you take the best possible care of it. A huge part of taking care of it is ensuring your laptop stays safe from humidity.
It isn’t easy to safeguard your laptop from humidity because, let’s face it, laptops are not waterproof. They’re made to be used in all sorts of environments but are not impervious to moisture.
So, what precautions should you take to protect your laptop? In this post, we’ll help you safeguard your computer by giving tips on how to do it.
How to Protect Your Computer From Humidity
Here are the 11 leading methods of protecting your laptop computer from humidity.
- Recognize Moisture Symptoms
If you recognize moisture symptoms, please take the necessary steps to protect your laptop from humidity. Here are some things to look for:
- Condensation on the outside of the laptop
- Water spots on the screen
- The keyboard feels slippery or wet
- The touchpad is unresponsive
2. Move to a Low Humidity Area
Moving away from excessively humid conditions is one of the best things you can do. That way, you’ll help ensure that your laptop stays dry and doesn’t become damaged by moisture.
However, you should take precautions if you plan to take this measure.
- First, you’ll need to ensure that your laptop is properly ventilated. Otherwise, it could overheat and become damaged.
- In addition, you should keep your laptop away from extreme humidity, such as open windows or direct contact with water.
3. Use a Humidity Checker Device
A humidity checker device is a tool you use to determine the humidity gauge. Knowing your environment’s humidity levels, you can take steps to protect your laptop from moisture damage.
You have a few ways to use a humidity gauge:
- The most common way is to hold it in your hand and wave it around in the air. The device will then give you a reading of the air humidity levels in the area.
- Another way to do this is to place it on your laptop. The device will then read the humidity levels in the area around your laptop. That is a great way to get an accurate reading of the humidity levels in your environment.
4. Allow Your Laptop to Adapt
Allowing your laptop to adapt can protect it from humidity. By increasing the amount of airflow around the device, you can prevent moisture from building up and damaging the internal parts. Let your laptop sit in the humid area for a while before using it to get accustomed to the conditions.
In addition, you can use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to remove any excess moisture from the air, which will also help protect the laptop from humidity.
5. Use a Heat-Dissipating Laptop Stand
A heat-dissipating stand protects your laptop from excessive humidity by drawing heat away from the device and into the air. It keeps your laptop cooler, which, in turn, prevents any condensation from forming on the surface of the device.
In addition, using a stand can also help improve airflow around your laptop, which further protects it from the damaging effects of humidity.
6. Keep Laptop Away From Sunlight
Keeping your laptop from direct sunlight is one way to help protect it from humidity. Humidity can cause your laptop to overheat, and sunlight worsens the problem.
If you must use your laptop in the sunlight, try to keep it in the shade as much as possible. You can also try using a fan to help keep it cool. If your laptop starts to overheat, turn it off and let it cool down before turning it back on.
Keeping your laptop from direct sunlight and humidity can help prolong its life and keep it running smoothly.
7. Use a Water-Resistant Laptop Bag During Humid Weather
Keeping your laptop in a water-resistant bag can help prevent moisture damage from exposure to high humidity levels. Water-resistant laptop bags are made from materials that repel moisture, keeping your laptop dry. They also help extend your laptop’s life and keep it working properly.
8. Know the “Safe Range” for Temperatures
Knowing the safe range for temperatures can help protect your laptop from humidity. Laptops are built to operate between 50 to 95 degrees F. When the temperature gets too high, the moisture in the air can condense on the electronics and cause a short circuit.
The moisture freezes and damages the electronics if the temperature gets too low during the cold winter air. Keeping your laptop in a temperature-controlled environment will help prolong its life.
9. Use a Laptop Cooling Pad
You can protect your laptop from humidity using a laptop cooling pad by keeping it cool and dry. It prevents condensation from forming outside the laptop, eventually leading to corrosion. In addition, using a cooling pad can help prolong your laptop’s life by preventing damage to the internal components caused by overheating.
10. Ensure You Secure Your Laptop in a Hot Car
In a hot car, the air can be quite humid. The humidity causes condensation on the inside of your laptop, which leads to problems with the operating system. To prevent this, try the following:
- Place your laptop on a cooling pad
- Ensure the car is well-ventilated or use air conditioning
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce air moisture
- Place your laptop in a dry, cool place like a freezer
- Wrap your laptop in a towel or blanket to absorb moisture.
11. Don’t Use It in Hot and Humid Climates
Not using your laptop in humid environments can help protect it from potential damage. When the weather is humid, there is more moisture in the air. It leads to condensation which causes corrosion. In addition, the increased moisture can lead to problems with the keyboard and other components.
What Are the Best Products to Protect Laptops From Humidity
Here are some of the best products to protect your laptop from humidity:
- Humidifiers: These devices regulate the air humidity levels, which protects your laptop from damage.
- Dehumidifiers: These devices help to remove excess moisture from the air, which can also help to protect your laptop from damage.
- Anti-static bags: They prevent static electricity from building up on your laptop and damaging sensitive internal components.
- Humidity sensors: These devices monitor the level of humidity in the air, so you can take action to protect your laptop if the level gets too high.
- Moisture-resistant materials: Some materials are better at resisting moisture than others. If you’re worried about your laptop getting damaged by humidity, look for laptops made with moisture-resistant materials.
How to Remove Moisture From Laptop Screen
If your laptop screen displays moisture or condensation, you have a few options to get rid of it.
- Switch off the laptop and disconnect it from any power source.
- Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away any moisture on the screen.
If moisture is still on the screen, you can try using a hairdryer on the lowest setting to remove it. Be sure not to hold the hairdryer too close to the screen, as this could damage it.
If you still have trouble removing the moisture, you can contact a professional.
How to Remove Moisture From Laptop Keyboard
While laptops are durable and withstand various conditions, they are not waterproof. If your laptop has been exposed to water, you’ll need to take quick action to prevent further damage. Here are the steps:
- First, unplug your laptop from any power source and remove the battery, if possible.
- Next, use a can of compressed air to blow any excess water out of the keyboard.
- Once you have removed as much water as possible, allow the keyboard to air dry for 24 hours. You may need to use a fan to speed up the drying process.
Once the keyboard is completely dry, you can reconnect the power and turn on your laptop.
Measures to Take if Your Laptop Is Not Turning On Because of High Humidity?
If your laptop is not turning on because of high humidity, here are a few tips to try.
- Keep it in a well-ventilated area. If it is in a case or bag, take it out and set it on a flat surface.
- Unplug it from any power sources and remove any external devices such as the mouse or keyboard.
- Let it dry for between 24 hours to 48 hours.
If none of these measures works, you may need to take your laptop to a professional to have it repaired.
How to Fix Your Laptop From Humidity Damage
The most common type of damage is corrosion, which causes the computer to malfunction or even stop working entirely.
When corrosion occurs, it can damage the electrical connections inside the computer. It can lead to various problems, including intermittent or complete loss of power, data corruption, and even physical damage to the electronic device.
In some cases, you can repair corrosion by cleaning the affected parts with isopropyl alcohol. However, in most cases, if the damage is too severe, you might need to replace the affected parts.
If your computer has been damaged by humidity, you should take it to a qualified technician as soon as possible. Attempting to fix the problem yourself could worsen and even void your warranty.
Conclusion
Humidity can damage your laptop in many ways. It’s essential to be aware of the signs of humidity damage and take measures to protect your laptop. If your laptop has been damaged by humidity, take it to a qualified technician as soon as possible to have it repaired.
Writer Graham Grieve brings two decades of technical communications experience to The Holy Tech coverage. Isaac contributes articles on laptops, tablets and PCs, alongside various software and hardware guides. Isaac is a former newspaper journalist who also worked in tech communications for some of the country’s biggest corporations. He also counsels and creates material for other technology publications and hosts a podcast.
Isaac’s in-depth reporting and knowledge of hardware and software issues helps The Holy Tech’s readers learn how to choose the right products, or solve tricky problems.